National Artists Ryan Cayabyab & Alice Reyes Holds Aditions For Rama Hari

The creative team behind the Filipino Rock Opera Ballet, RAMA, HARI is searching for new talents to complete the production’s cast of Singers.

A Filipino modern rock opera ballet, RAMA, HARI is an acclaimed collaboration among five National Artists – Alice Reyes for direction and choreography, Ryan Cayabyab for music, Salvador Bernal for production design, Bienvenido Lumbera for the libretto, and English translations by Rolando Tinio. An adaptation of the Sanskrit epic poem Ramayana, this masterpiece features renowned singers in the Filipino music industry and incorporates traditional theatre, song, and dance devices found and shared among Asian nations.  

Chose Art This Valentine's Day WIth Ballet Philippines' Opera

As a special Valentine’s treat, young professionals aged 30 and below may avail of a 30% discount on the 6pm shows of Ballet Philippines’ Opera - February 13 and 14 at the CCP Main Theater. Tickets may be purchased with this discount at the CCP Open House, the Pasinaya Festival on February 7, the Ballet Philippines office or through BP at 5511013.

Ballet Philippines “Opera” is choreographed by French dance maker Redha based on Gabriel Barredo’s acclaimed installation of the same title. The unique show seamlessly merges contemporary art and dance into a new groundbreaking production.

“Opera is a special production for lovers of contemporary art and dance, it breaks many barriers and transcends our expectations of a dance show” muses BP’s Artistic Director, Paul Alexander Morales. “We are offering this special promotion for the young art loving generation to give them a special option for Valentine’s”.

ART IS A BANG: Al Gatmaitan Emotional and Thankful At "In Pursuit of a Dream" Concert

Al Gatmaitan maybe young but has achieved many feats which has given him a lot of opportunities here and overseas. On his pursuit for new heights in his career as a Tenor, he enrolled himself to the New York University Steinhardt School for Music and Performing Arts Professions. With his admission to the prestigious school for music he needs all the help he can get, thus a benefit concert was held last May 14, and 21, first at Opera Haus and LRI Design Plaza respectively. 

I went to the May 21st concert where special guests include Soprano Gabri Panilio , Ms. Tricia Amper, Mezzo Soprano Clarissa Ocampo , Flamengco Dancer Lisa Dino, OPM Hitmaker Aiza Seguerra, and world class Pianist and UST ean, Professor in Music and Statistics at the Conservatory of Music Raul Sunico, with Collaborative Pianist Karl Estudillo.

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).