Imagine a bashful starlet saddled with a slimy agent who also happens to own the film studio she works at. Throw in a star struck (and lustful) nobleman and a hairdresser with a flair for intrigues and you have the spicy ingredients of The Barber of Seville – arguably Rossini’s most popular opera with its abundance of fun, and filled with catchy melodies and inventive orchestrations.
Described as everything from absurd and touching to witty, hilarious and irresistible, The Barber of Seville is destined to enthrall and entertain theatergoers when it is staged in Manila at the Cultural Center of the Philippines on Friday, July 13th Gala Night and Saturday, July 14th, 2012, both shows at 8:00 pm.
Fittingly, this most acclaimed of Italian operas marks the triple celebration of the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Italy, the 60th anniversary of Rustan’s (with its reputation for pioneering Italian merchandise in the Philippines) and the 50th anniversary of the Philippine Italian Association which promotes cultural exchange between the Philippines and Italy. Rustan’s, the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the official hotel sponsor The Peninsula Manila (which is always supportive of arts and culture) in cooperation with the Embassy of Italy are joining hands in making this operatic gala possible.
Bringing the varied characters to life on the CCP Main Theatre stage will be a distinguished Filipino and Italian cast comprised of acclaimed Filipino artistes premiere soprano Rachelle Gerodias, tenor par excellance Arthur Espiritu (the second Filipino to perform at La Scala in Milan) and US based baritone Andrew Fernando. The visiting Italian contingent is made up of renowned and multi-awarded baritones Mario Cassi and Marco Filippo Romano.
They will work under Italian Director Antonio Petris (who is also the Set & Costume Designer), with Ruggero Barbieri, former Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, as Guest Conductor.
The Manila production of The Barber of Seville will have as its main beneficiary the Philippine Italian Association Endowment Fund which supports not only cultural events but also the Sister Handmaids of Charity, the Servants of Charity and the Canossian Sons of Charity – three charitable institutions run by Italian Missionaries, devoted to the care of the sick, elderly, special children, abandoned and malnourished children.
An additional beneficiary will be the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra’s historic friendship tour of the United States in 2013.
Tickets priced at:
July 13, Gala Night
Orchestra Center at P5,000.00 and P3,000.00
Orchestra Sides at P3,000.00; P2,000.00; P1,500.00; P1,000.00
Balcony I Center and Sides at P1,000.00
July 14, 2nd night
Orchestra Center at P3,000.00
Orchestra Sides at P2,000.00
Balcony I Center and Sides at P800.00
Balcony II center and sides at P500.00
are available at Ticketworld, tel no. 891-9999; CCP Box Office, tel no. 832-3704 from Tuesday-Saturday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm; and Rustan’s Secretariat, tel nos 895-2109; 895-2404, ask for Ms. Lulu Casas.
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