A Celebration of Opera's Grandeur Captivated Manila's Audience
November 16, 2024—The Manila Pianos Showroom came alive with an unforgettable evening of opera, featuring internationally acclaimed Filipino American tenor Arthur Espiritu, along with sopranos Marielle Tuason and Nerissa de Juan, and the exceptional pianist Gabriel Paguirigan.
Presented by Cultural Arts Events Organizer and supported by DZFE.FM The Master’s Touch and Manila Pianos, the evening celebrated a selection of roles from grand operas that have earned Arthur Espiritu high praise on stages worldwide. Espiritu enriched the experience by offering insightful introductions to each piece, providing context within the larger opera, and guiding the audience to a deeper understanding of its dramatic significance.
The program opened with Pietro Mascagni’s poignant Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana, performed with brilliance by Paguirigan. His moving melodies set a profound atmosphere for the evening, paving the way for the stunning vocal repertoire that followed.
The first act highlighted the works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, with Tuason and De Juan charming the audience in the duet “Ah guarda sorella” from Così fan tutte. Espiritu then delivered his rendition of the aria “Dies Bildnis ist bezaubernd schön” from The Magic Flute, capturing the heart of the character Prince Tamino. Tuason followed with her striking interpretation of “O zittre nicht, mein lieber Sohn,” which brought dramatic intensity to the stage, while De Juan’s poignant “Per Pietà ben mio perdona” showcased her refined technique and expressive range. Espiritu and De Juan concluded their performances from Mozart’s Così fan tutte with the duet “Fra gli amplessi,” a moment that highlighted their vocal chemistry.
Closing the act were selections from Gaetano Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore. Tuason performed “Prendi, per me sei libero,” and Espiritu’s tender and masterful performance of “Una Furtiva Lagrima” was a standout moment of the evening. The delightful duet “Caro elisir… Esulti pur la Barbara” with Tuason and Espiritu provided a joyous conclusion.
The second act, after a brief break, opened with Leo Delibes’ iconic "Flower Duet" from Lakmé, performed beautifully by Tuason and De Juan. Espiritu then joined Tuason for selections from Charles Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette, starting from “Ange Adorable.” Afterwards, Tuason continued with a powerful performance of “Je Veux Vivre,” and Espiritu closed the segment with his moving delivery of “Ah! Leve-toi, soleil!”
The program then moved to Faust, where De Juan captivated the audience with her sparkling rendition of the “Ah! je ris de me voir si belle.” Espiritu followed with a poignant duet with De Juan of “Il se fait tard… Adieu, laisse-moi!,” before the program culminated with the timeless work of Giuseppe Verdi. The concert concluded with Espiritu singing “Di' tu se Fedele” from Un ballo in maschera.
After the performance, the artists celebrated De Juan’s upcoming birthday, which was on November 17, presenting her with a cake. The evening ended with a joyous encore of “Libiamo ne'lieti calici” from La Traviata, as the performers shared the festive moment with the audience.
Throughout the evening, Espiritu’s explanations not only bridged the gap for newcomers to opera but also deepened the appreciation of seasoned enthusiasts. With Paguirigan’s impeccable accompaniment and the outstanding performances of Tuason and De Juan, who are both mentees of Espiritu, the concert was a testament to the enduring power of opera and the bright future of Filipino talent.
