MUSIC LYF: Opera Belles Live!

OPERA BELLES

launched their debut album under Sony Music

Who says opera is dead? well not for these gals, they proven that being a operatic singer can make it big amidst the pop charts. Operabelles gives songs that enchants the heart and also soothes the soul. I used to listen to operating singers lie Charlotte Church was back, and also loved classical opera. And they made a very nice impact to the OPM scene by sharing these songs among the popular pop and rock songs that is the trend now.

They launched their self titled album in Eastwood city mall also bearing their carrier single SUNDO which is already topping OPM charts in radio stations. And they are also now on their way in making their first music video. Included in their debut CD are songs that most of us can relate since they are pop songs with an operatic twist. 

Opera Belles is composed of Allison Tanner, Lara Maigue and Jam Valdes.

Allison started singing when she was 8 years old and was trained at the University of the Philippines Extension Program where she was introduced to opera and classical music. She is currently a sophomore Pharmacy student at Centro Escolar University. She describes recording the album as “like a newborn ---- so many bright new learning – theoretically, socially, emotionally and spiritually.” 

Jam took voice lessons at age 7 but it was not classical training. Her musical skills were honed joining glee clubs during high school and her confidence was boosted when she joined Repertory Philippines’ summer workshops for 7 years. This DLSU Industrial Engineering major started classical training a year ago under the Philippine Opera Company. She enjoys sports, dancing, acting and joining beauty pageants. 

Lara studies Music Education at the University of the Philippines. Both her parents are musicians/music professors with her mother, also a classical singer, being her first voice teacher. Lara started having formal lessons during her second year in high school. Her musical influences include Charlotte Church, Sarah Brightman, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Renee Olstead and Michael Buble. 

These three teen female voices perform some of the current crop of pop hits with a classical twist to create a unique sound. Songs in their debut CD include their versions of Love Story (Taylor Swift), The Only Exception (Paramore), Breathless (The Corrs), Heaven (Bryan Adams), Sleeps With Butterflies (Tori Amos), Like A Prayer (Madonna), Only Hope (Mandy Moore), Burn (Tina Arena), Officially Missing You (Tamia), I Turn To You (Christina Aguilera) and Sundo (Imago).