In the midst of so many foreign pop acts and musical productions from Broadway and the West End playing in Manila, one small theatrical effort made waves last year. It was a revue featuring traditional and contemporary Filipino songs, sung by a troupe of young, relatively unknown but dedicated classical singers.
The show was the Philippine Opera Company's “Ang Bagong Harana”.
“'Ang Bagong Harana' was envisioned as love song to our country,” says Karla Gutierrez, who heads the Philippine Opera Company. “We wanted to show audiences that there is so much wealth that modern Filipinos can mine from our traditional and contemporary music. It was a show that had the audience who came to see it for six nights at the Carlos P. Romulo Theater at RCBC Plaza weeping and applauding with joy.”
The show had its second re-run in June 2012, then it went on a provincial tour, with a sell-out concert held in Silliman University, Dumaguete City in July.
The third rerun of “Ang Bagong Harana” now happens October 18-October 28, 8 p.m. with matinees at 3:30 p.m. on October 20, 21, 27 and 28, at the Carlos P. Romulo Theater, RCBC Plaza, Makati City.
Originally conceived and directed by award-winning writer/director Floy Quintos, “Ang Bagong Harana” will carry the original repertoire that showcases the best works of noted Filipino composers from different music genres--Nicanor Abelardo, Ryan Cayabyab, Willy Cruz, Francisco Santiago, Antonio Molina, Resti Umali, George Canseco, Ernani Cuenco, Levi Celerio, Jose Estrella, Constancio De Guzman and Felipe de Leon, to name a few.
For the October show, audiences will be treated to a brand new suite in the repertoire focusing on nature and the environment.
The company of 10 singers is made up of theater actors and singers Karla Gutierrez, Aizel Prietos, Charley Magalit, Janine Santos, Marian Santiago, Arlynne Tecson, Lawrence Jatayna, Noel Rayos, Nazer Salcedo, Marvin Gayramon and Al Gatmaitan, with the special participation of the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group.
“The songs you will hear in 'Ang Bagong Harana' are our legacy and our best gift to the world,” says Gutierrez. “In singing them again, we say to the world, 'This is who we are. This is our heritage, and this is the musical journey all Filipinos should take.”
For ticket sales, please call Philippine Opera Company 8229609 or 0917-5272880 or TicketWorld 891-9999. Like Philippine Opera Company on Facebook.
