Martin Nievera, Louie Ocampo team up with NY’s MET singers
By Antonio C. Hila
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:59:00 07/21/2008
MANILA, Philippines - Beloved,” the highly acclaimed musical-cum-fashion show in 2005 that combined fashion and classical singing, will return Oct. 17 at Shangri-La Makati.
This time the concert will be a bit different. While classical singers from New York’s Metropolitan Theater will perform again like they did in 2005, they will be joined by popular Filipino talents such as balladeer Martin Nievera and composer Louie Ocampo.
The concert’s beneficiary is Virlanie Foundation Inc.
Imelda Cojuangco, who chairs the fund drive, said the concert would benefit a liver donation program as well.
“Music soothes the soul,” she said in a recent press conference at Shangri-La. “It can give much education to the children.”
The concert will bring together Manila’s leading philanthropists who are expected to donate to the project’s beneficiaries.
Shangri-La is co-sponsor.
Yet to be finalized, the program will feature rousing operatic numbers from favorite operatic repertoire.
The MET artists are soprano Lea Wood Friedman, mezzo-soprano Fenlon Lamb, tenor Victor Robinson, baritone Ryan Taylor and pianist Bruce Stasyna.
Friedman has had an illustrious career performing for Opera Hong Kong in “Carmen” and “Marriage of Figaro.”
Lamb has joined apprentice programs throughout the US, notably Santa Fe Opera apprentice program and Cleveland’s Opera on Tour program, where she gained extensive experience in opera and title-role portrayals, such as Carmen and Agrippina.
Robinson performed as Rodolfo in Francesca Zambello’s production of “La Boheme” to wide acclaim. He has also essayed the roles of Count Almaviva in Rossini’s “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” with the Detroit Opera, as well as Tybalt in “Romeo and Juliet” with the Spoleto Festival and Atlanta Opera.
Taylor essayed the roles of Sharpless in “Madama Butterfly” with the Forth Worth Opera; Dandini in “La Cenerentola” with Opera Carolina and Opera San Antonio; Marcello in “La Boheme” with Jacksonville Symphony and Dayton Opera; and Guglielmo in “Cosi Fan Tutte” with Piedmont Opera and Bar Harbour Music Festival.
Stasyna was the head of music for the Minnesota Opera in 1999-2006, and has prepared some 30 productions for conductors such as Harry Bicket, Marco Guidarni and Anthony Walker.
He has also collaborated with notable artists such as Bruce Ford, Suzanne Mentzer, James Morris and Sumi Jo. He has been on the staff of the Wolf Trap Opera as chorus master, notably for the critically acclaimed production of “Sweeney Todd.”
Dominique Lemay, founder of Virlanie, said the foundation provided shelter, food and education to children rescued from the streets.
The foundation maintains 12 houses manned by a staff of 75 Filipino social workers. The houses provide care to some 270 children.
Joey de Venecia chairs the board of trustees. He has been with the foundation for five years.
He said his involvement with the foundation started when Lemay “exposed” him to the life of the poor by bringing him to a city jail where he saw the condition of the inmates.
Nievera said “Encore” was his first involvement in a fund drive. He added he would be willing to do more as an “endorser of charity.”
Nievera explained he considered it an “honor” to be part of the fund drive, notwithstanding his anxiety because he would be singing with international operatic stars.
Nievera dished out “The Greatest Love of All,” and dedicated it to the children, and encored the soulful “Kahit Isang Saglit,” moving Ms Cojuangco to tears.
For inquiries, contact Chevy Salvador at 0908-3268408. E-mail belovedencore@gmail.com.
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