MANILA, Philippines - Soprano Rachelle Gerodias and tenor Lemuel de la Cruz figured prominently in the recent weekend run of the Puccini opera ?Turandot? at the Esplanade Theatre in Singapore.

De la Cruz, who just sang the role of Gaston in the recent Singapore production of ?La Traviata,? sang the role of Pong, which he learned in less than three months.

?In this opera, I always sing with others who sing the roles of Ping and Pang for two tenors and a baritone,? he said. ?I think we have the longest singing parts, but we don?t have a memorable aria. I sing the highest notes while doing our long choreographed trio in Act 2. There are lots of movements while singing and we are always onstage.?

Comparing the opera scenes between Manila and Singapore, De la Cruz said, ?Singapore has the hardware and we in Manila have the software.

?I?ve already done my dream opera role as Count Almaviva (?Barber of Seville?) in Hong Kong,? he added. ?Professionally, I am already grateful to the Lord for all these opportunities. I am not dreaming of anything higher with my singing. I can retire anytime. I have done a total of 16 operas outside the country and that?s not bad at all. God is so good! I am singing right now mainly because it?s my job, but I also love the excitement that goes with it. I am also aware that you are as good as your last performance.?

Triumphant

Meanwhile, fresh from her triumphant portrayal of the role of Liu in the Vienna production of the same Puccini opera, Gerodias reprised the role in the first grand production of the opera in Singapore.

?Liu is a dream role for me, but quite a big role for my voice,? she said. ?I was really both excited and scared. I?m trying to feel the voice in this repertoire by seeking help from my voice teacher in Manila. My voice is now going through a transition, so it?s good I can try this heavier part. But I have to be careful in singing these long lines and thick orchestrations that Puccini has written. Character-wise, the role of Liu fits me perfectly. That she is an Asian helps, too!?

Gerodias was pitted against the Singaporean Liu of Nancy Yuen, who was her Countess in the earlier Singapore production of Mozart?s ?Marriage of Figaro.?

The Filipino soprano ruled out any real or imagined showdown on the opera stage.

?If anything, we actually learn more by watching each other rehearse, as we both have our own interpretations. We get to observe how we interpret each other?s parts. But because our voices and experiences are different, our interpretations will still be different from each other.?

Tomescu

Romanian violinist Alexandru Tomescu was in town for a vacation and spent a week in El Nido in Palawan. He just played for President Bush and Condoleezza Rice in a special concert for Nato officials. Tomescu said Rice was actually a pianist, and had played chamber music with cellist Yo Yo Ma.