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‘Noli Me Tangere: The Opera’ comes home to PHL after successful US runs
(Updated 1:28 p.m., Sept. 2) After well-received runs in New York and Washington D.C., "Noli Me Tangere: The Opera" is coming home to the Philippines at the Resorts World Manila's Newport Performing Arts Theater this month.
Most, if not all, Filipinos know the story of "Noli Me Tangere," the masterpiece written by national hero Dr. Jose Rizal. But its opera counterpart has never been that well-known, especially to younger Filipinos.
This is why JS Productions Inc. decided to bring the opera to the Philippines, the producers of "Noli Me Tangere: The Opera" said during a sneak peek last August 29 at the Resorts World Manila.
Joining the producers were some of the cast—Ivan Nery (Crisostomo Ibarra), Myramae Meneses (Maria Clara), Greg de Leon (Elias), Eggo Velasco (Basilio), and Mari Ferrer (Crispin)—who gave a taste of what the audience can expect from the show.
"Noli Me Tangere: The Opera" will be directed by Freddie Santos, while the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra led by Maestro Rodel Colmenar will perform the opera's music. Also headlining the production are world-class talents Sal Malaki as Crisostomo Ibarra, who also played the character in Washington D.C., and Rachelle Gerodias as Maria Clara.
Serious business
So how did the cast prepare for the opera?
"Kailangan mo mag-seryoso. To do this opera is not a joke," said de Leon.
Most of the cast members said they had to lose weight for their parts and undergo physical training to meet the demands of the production, especially now that it's on a bigger scale.
Twelve-year-old Velasco jokingly said that he has to "stay skinny, which is a bit of a challenge" to portray Basilio, who comes from a poor family. The young actor also said the actors need to connect to each other on and off stage since their characters' stories intertwine.
Nine-year-old Ferrer said he learned that each character represents a certain group of Filipinos, such as Elias standing in for the working class.
Meneses also said they had to read the book again. "You have to understand that your character is a human being," she said.
"Noli Me Tangere: The Opera" was composed by national artist for music Felipe de Leon, while the libretto was written by National Artist for visual arts Guillermo Tolentino.
Given these facts alone, the opera is sure to be a promising hit. However, "Noli Me Tangere: The Opera" has not been staged in the Philippines on this big a scale in a long while. The opera was performed in the country by Dulaang UP in 2012, but that production had two accompanists, not a whole orchestra, Nery told GMA News Online.
Executive producer Jerry Sibal said that although the outfits and the Art Nouveau-inspired stage are true to the novel's era, marrying those elements to today's technology made the production more exciting.
The producers also emphasized that while a significant amount of money went into making the opera come to life, they do not want to limit the opera only to those who can afford expensive tickets. Through the help of San Miguel Corporation and its CEO Ramon Ang, students can now watch the show for only P500.
'Disappointed with NCCA'
Fil-Am businesswoman and philanthropist Loida Nicolas Lewis, who brought the opera to New York, Washington D.C. and now Manila, also talked about the challenges they faced taking the production to the Philippines. She said that the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) "had not been cooperative" in making the project possible. "I don't understand it," she said.
"The only thing they can give is P150,000. In a production that cost at least P40 million, P150,000 lang ang pwede. So I am very disappointed with NCCA," she added.
Assistant executive producer Edwin Josue also added that they asked help from the commission to produce "Noli Me Tangere: The Opera" when they were still in the United States.
"Nakikiusap kami na tumulong naman kayo. Hindi naman para sa amin ito. Ito ay pag-give back din namin sa country namin eh. Tumulong naman kayo dahil nationalism, patriotism, love of country naman ang layunin namin dito," he said.
Why watch this opera?
Whatever issues the production may have faced on its way to the stage, "Noli Me Tangere: The Opera" is now getting ready for its Manila run this month.
While most people will have seen TV, stage or film productions of "Noli," the opera is different in that it adds the creative input of two National Artists to the National Hero's obra maestra.
"As long as mahal mo ang kultura mo, mahal mo ang bansa mo, come and watch us," Sibal said. — BM, GMA News
"Noli Me Tangere: The Opera" will run from September 12 to September 28 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila.
For more information, visit the Noli Me Tangere: The Opera Facebook page, email nolimetangere@gmail.com or call 899-7938 to 39.
Tickets are available at www.ticketworld.com.ph. For group ticket sales, contact Mark Manalang at 0917-825-3489, or Dennis Villaluz at 788-9108 or 0916-857-1553.
'Noli Me Tangere: The Opera' will run from Sept. 12 to 28 in Resorts World Manila. Poster image and photos courtesy of Noli Me Tangere: The Opera's Facebook account
This is why JS Productions Inc. decided to bring the opera to the Philippines, the producers of "Noli Me Tangere: The Opera" said during a sneak peek last August 29 at the Resorts World Manila.
Joining the producers were some of the cast—Ivan Nery (Crisostomo Ibarra), Myramae Meneses (Maria Clara), Greg de Leon (Elias), Eggo Velasco (Basilio), and Mari Ferrer (Crispin)—who gave a taste of what the audience can expect from the show.
"Noli Me Tangere: The Opera" will be directed by Freddie Santos, while the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra led by Maestro Rodel Colmenar will perform the opera's music. Also headlining the production are world-class talents Sal Malaki as Crisostomo Ibarra, who also played the character in Washington D.C., and Rachelle Gerodias as Maria Clara.
Serious business
So how did the cast prepare for the opera?
"Kailangan mo mag-seryoso. To do this opera is not a joke," said de Leon.
Most of the cast members said they had to lose weight for their parts and undergo physical training to meet the demands of the production, especially now that it's on a bigger scale.
Twelve-year-old Velasco jokingly said that he has to "stay skinny, which is a bit of a challenge" to portray Basilio, who comes from a poor family. The young actor also said the actors need to connect to each other on and off stage since their characters' stories intertwine.
Myramae Meneses, who plays Maria Clara, performs at the media sneak peek.
Meneses also said they had to read the book again. "You have to understand that your character is a human being," she said.
"Noli Me Tangere: The Opera" was composed by national artist for music Felipe de Leon, while the libretto was written by National Artist for visual arts Guillermo Tolentino.
Given these facts alone, the opera is sure to be a promising hit. However, "Noli Me Tangere: The Opera" has not been staged in the Philippines on this big a scale in a long while. The opera was performed in the country by Dulaang UP in 2012, but that production had two accompanists, not a whole orchestra, Nery told GMA News Online.
Executive producer Jerry Sibal said that although the outfits and the Art Nouveau-inspired stage are true to the novel's era, marrying those elements to today's technology made the production more exciting.
The producers also emphasized that while a significant amount of money went into making the opera come to life, they do not want to limit the opera only to those who can afford expensive tickets. Through the help of San Miguel Corporation and its CEO Ramon Ang, students can now watch the show for only P500.
'Disappointed with NCCA'
Businesswoman Loida Nicolas-Lewis is interviewed by the author.
"The only thing they can give is P150,000. In a production that cost at least P40 million, P150,000 lang ang pwede. So I am very disappointed with NCCA," she added.
Assistant executive producer Edwin Josue also added that they asked help from the commission to produce "Noli Me Tangere: The Opera" when they were still in the United States.
"Nakikiusap kami na tumulong naman kayo. Hindi naman para sa amin ito. Ito ay pag-give back din namin sa country namin eh. Tumulong naman kayo dahil nationalism, patriotism, love of country naman ang layunin namin dito," he said.
Why watch this opera?
Whatever issues the production may have faced on its way to the stage, "Noli Me Tangere: The Opera" is now getting ready for its Manila run this month.
While most people will have seen TV, stage or film productions of "Noli," the opera is different in that it adds the creative input of two National Artists to the National Hero's obra maestra.
"As long as mahal mo ang kultura mo, mahal mo ang bansa mo, come and watch us," Sibal said. — BM, GMA News
"Noli Me Tangere: The Opera" will run from September 12 to September 28 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila.
For more information, visit the Noli Me Tangere: The Opera Facebook page, email nolimetangere@gmail.com or call 899-7938 to 39.
Tickets are available at www.ticketworld.com.ph. For group ticket sales, contact Mark Manalang at 0917-825-3489, or Dennis Villaluz at 788-9108 or 0916-857-1553.
