An out-of-the-box ‘Madama Butterfly’

I found this review in the newspaper today.  Since I am just an ordinary opera lover and wouldn't really know all the technical terms that this type of art has, this writer's description perfectly illustrates what happened that night.  I agree with most of his comments, seeing how hope was used as a theme, instead of dwelling too much on the tragedy, which is, well, the story of this opera.

An out-of-the-box ‘Madama Butterfly’

Related articles

• Madame Butterfly: Pictures of the Event (Set 2)

  ---

• Madame Butterfly: Pictures of the Event (Set 1)

  ---

• Mexican Tenor Dante Alcala as Pinkerton in Madame Butterfly

  ---

Another Night at the Opera: The Barber of Seville

Third opera this year, thank God for letting me watch all of them! This one was a comedy so it was totally different from La Traviata and Madame Butterfly. I attended the gala night though so it was more of the local high society in attendance and a slightly mature audience. Our friend, Wilson was in the chorus - uber uber talented guy! What CAN"T you do Wilson? 

It's also the first opera I saw since Turandot that the main leads were men. I love the duets and those arrangements where the main leads would sing together in three's or fours. Our local diva (and I mean opera diva and NOT the other meaning of the word), Rachelle Gerodias attacked all those notes where Rossini implores his soprano to lilt like one was riding on the crest of a wave. Actually, even the male singers had to do it. I guess that's just how Rossini wants it to sound - and it does contribute to making the music more happy and accessible.  Truly a bountiful year for local opera!

Related articles

• Rachelle Gerodias: Topnotch Filipina Soprano

  ---

• Camille Lopez-Molina: Breathtaking as Suzuki, in Madame Butterfly

  ---

• An out-of-the-box 'Madama Butterfly'

  ---

The Barber of Seville Pictures: With Wilson Cariaga

Chef, photographer, and for two nights, opera chorus singer - our good friend Wilson Cariaga took center stage last night and again later tonight, as part of the chorus in The Barber of Seville.

He appears three times in the opera.  My favorite was in the umbrella sequence! Tres cool!  He also appears in the beginning of the play when they help Count Almaviva court the beautiful Rosina and in the final scene, dressed impeccably in that red soldier's uniform above, joining the rest of the cast in singing the final song.  Bravo Wilson!

Related articles

• Rachelle Gerodias: Topnotch Filipina Soprano

  ---

• Nicki Minaj Concert Pictures Set 2: Starships to Turn Me On

  ---

• Nicki Minaj Concert Pictures Final Set: Save Me to Super Bass

  ---

The Barber of Seville Pictures: With Tessa Prieto-Valdes

I bumped into Tessa Prieto-Valdes in a Katy Perry concert before and last night we met again at the CCP for the Barber of Seville opera. I love the way how she works the room! I mean, she makes PR look so easy!

Related articles

• Nicki Minaj Invades My Personal Countdown

  ---

• Another Night at the Opera: The Barber of Seville

  ---

• Rachelle Gerodias: Topnotch Filipina Soprano

  ---

The Barber of Seville Pictures: With Marco Fillipo Romano

Two Italian baritones were with the Filipino cast during the staging here of The Barber of Seville.  The other Italian was Marco Fillipo Romano, who played the evil Don Bartolo.  He was very funny in his role and he gamely used his voice and his body to physically show the arrogance and failings of his character.

Related articles

• Nicki Minaj Invades My Personal Countdown

  ---

• Another Night at the Opera: The Barber of Seville

  ---

• Rachelle Gerodias: Topnotch Filipina Soprano

  ---

The Barber of Seville Pictures: With Arthur Espiritu

Filipino tenor Arthur Espiritu played the role of Count Almaviva in CCP and Rustan's production of The Barber of Seville.  He did it pretty well, especially when he had to sing in a much different voice in Act 2.  Kuhang kuha niya ang Chinese inflections of that character he was playing.  Truly a great Filipino talent!

Related articles

• Nicki Minaj Invades My Personal Countdown

  ---

• Another Night at the Opera: The Barber of Seville

  ---

• Rachelle Gerodias: Topnotch Filipina Soprano

  ---

The Barber of Seville Pictures: With Soprano Rachelle Gerodias

Filipina soprano Rachelle Gerodias, sang the role of Rosina during the gala night performance of The Barber of Seville.  This is us with her after the show.  We sought her out to congratulate her for a wonderful performance that night!

Related articles

• Rachelle Gerodias: Topnotch Filipina Soprano

  ---

• Another Night at the Opera: The Barber of Seville

  ---

• Nicki Minaj Invades My Personal Countdown

  ---