PHILIPPINE OPERA

WHAT IS OPERA?
 art and music form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text (called a libretto)
and a musical score, usually in an elaborate theatrical setting (opera house) Dialogue is entirely sung and not
spoken.
PHILIPPINE OPERA
 Started in the Philippines during the 19th Century when Instrumental virtuosis, opera singers, and Spanish
zarzuela performers came.
 The element of tragedy, emanating from the popular themes of romance, deceit, murder, vendetta, and other
elements of human frailty, became a favorite story pattern of the Filipino opera.
A. PHILIPPINE OPERA THEATERS
Zorilla, Principe Alfonso, Variedades Quiapo Theater, Tondo Theater, Manila Grand Opera House, Metropolitan Theater
SANDUGONG PANAGINIP
 First Filipino opera
 By Pedro Paterno
 First performed in the Zorilla Theater on August 2, 1902. later translated by the Englishman M.W.
 Loving with the title “The Dreamed Alliance”
PROMINENT FIGURES IN PHILIPPINE OPERA
1. Bonifacio Abdon – composer and first Filipino conductor
2. Dr. Ramon Javier – first Filipino opera impresario
3. Orchestra Molina - known for their interpretation of operatic works as well as other classical compositions
4. First Lady Imelda Romualdez-Marcos - established the Cultural Center of the Philippines in 1969 which paved
the way for other Filipino operas to be staged at a legitimate venue of international standard.
OPERA VS. MUSICAL
NOLI ME TANGERE AND EL FILIBUSTERISMO
1. Popular novels by Dr. Jose Rizal
2. Composed into operas by National Artist Felipe Padilla De Leon in 1970 and 1975.
3. Re-staged as musicals at the CCP with music composed by Ryan Cayabyab
LA LOBA NEGRA
1. La Loba Negra (The Black She-Wolf) is a three-act Filipino opera. Acts I and II are based on history. Act III is based
on a legend attributed to Fr. Jose Burgos.
2. The music was composed by National Artist Francisco Feliciano, with libretto by soprano Fides Cuyugan Asensio.
3. The premiere was held in 1984 followed by another presentation in 1985.
B. BALLET IN THE PHILIPPINES
1. Present folktales based on local fables for example, Lola Basyang as well as epics from neighboring regions,
such as India’s Ramayana.
2. Lola Basyang and Rama Hari are additions to the usual Western ballets presented by Philippine ballet
companies.

C. FILIPINO MUSICALS
1. A product of Philippine theater highly influenced by Broadway and West End.
2. Mostly adapted from novels, literary works, or biographical sketches of famous artists.

EXAMPLE:
 ANDRES BONIFACIO, ANG ANAK PAWIS THE MUSICAL
 ATANG DALANG MAY MUSIKA
 KATY THE MUSICAL
 FLORANTE AT LAURA THE MUSICAL
 DARAGANG MAGAYON
 MAGSIMULA KA THE MUSICAL