MARCH 3, 2010 - MCO FOUNDATION CHAMBER CONCERTS AND ELISABETH SODERSTROM, 82 BY JUAN ANTONIO LANUZA

MCO FOUNDATION CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL:

The MCO foundation (Manila Chamber Orchestra Foundation) invites everyone to "Celebrate Lie through Art and Music" as they bring a Chamber Music Festival to Makati to be held at the Insular Life Auditorium, Makati on March 5, 12, 19 and 27 at 7:30pm.

For the Gala performance on March 5 they perform the esoteric music of Chausson's rarely performed Concerto for Violin, Cello and String Quartet and Schumann's Piano Trio NO 2 as part of their tribute to Schumann's Centennial Celebration. The performers are Mary Ann Espina at the piano, Gina Medina at the violin, Anjo Inacay at the cello and the St. Scholastica's String Quartet.

The March 12 concert features the country's leading guitarist Ruben Reyes performing some rarely heard guitar music such as, works by Alexandre Tansman to Claude Bolling. Collaborating with him are pianist Heliodelfro Piel at the piano, drummer Joey Valenciano and bass player Gerald Flores

On March 19 the concert features excerpts from operas by Mozart's Don Giovanni, Leoncavallo's "I Pagliacci," Verdi's blood curling aria of Lady Macbeth from his opera Macbeth, the divine prayer of Rienzi from Wagner's Reinzi and the heartbreaking quartet fro Offenbach's Tales of Hoffman to be performed by our country's leasing vocal artists headed by mezzo-soprano Camille Lopez Molina, soprano Jennifer Uy, tenor Randy Gilong, bass-baritone Noel Ascona and collaborating pianist Peter Porticos.

On March 27 the concert features nostalgic songs from early American Musical Theater including songs by Jerome Kern, Richard Rodgers, George Gershwin, and Frederic Loewe such as: "All the Things You Are," "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes, "They Didn't Believe Me," "Glitter and Be Gay" to be performed by versatile singing actress Nene Espina with an array of guest artists.

For further inquiries and ticket reservations, please call the MCO Foundation Secretariat at 750 0768 or call 0920 954 0053 or call ticket World at 891 9999.

ELISABETH SODERSTROM

Born on May 7, 1927 in Stockholm, Elisabeth Soderstrom received her first musical schooling from Adelaide Andrejeva von Skilondz and later studied at the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm. At the Drottningholm Palace Theater in 1947 she made her debut in Mozart's "Bastien et Bastienne." From 1949 to 1980 she made the Royal Swedish Opera her home but also performed in many of the greatest opera houses around the world. She performed in the NY Metropolitan Opera between 1959 and 1964 and also between 1983 and 1987. Her last performance at this theater was in 1999 in Tchaikovsky's "The Queen of Spades."

During her very long career, she made a name for herself as a technically perfect and at the same time warm soprano with a personal style which allowed her to sing in a wide variety of different works ranging from 17th century to contemporary. She never overstretched her voice, which never went through a bad patch. She played a full part in the musical extension of our time, backwards to Monteverdi and in the then present with composers such as Britten and Henze.

Her voice was one of those which, while being of no more than moderate volume, carry within it a certain concentration of dramatic power. She used the limited volume to the finest possible effect, grading carefully so that the climax tells.

She had an affinity of composer Janacek's operas. I believe she played the role of Jenufa when I first saw this opera in San Francisco in the 1970's. She recorded "Kata Kabanova" for the London label with Sir Charles Mackerras conducting. She also made a variety of recordings including the complete songs of Rachmaninoff, accompanied by Vladimir Ashkenazy.

Elisabeth Soderstrom was married to commander Sverker Olow from 1950 until her death on November 20, 2009 from complications from a stroke. They lived in Lidingo, Sweden.

She and dramatic soprano Birgit Nillson who died in 2005 at age 87 will be missed by opera lovers all over the world.

WHAT'S ON IN MANILA?

1. Repertory Philippines will hold auditions for Shaffer's "Equus" at their offices/rehearsal hall in Karrivin Plaza, Pasong Tamo Extension, Makati City. On March 8 between 5pm and 9pm auditions are for all major and minor roles. On March 12 between 6pm and 9pm auditions will be for the role of Alan Strang (should be between 5' 5" and 5' 9" in height and proficient in English). The requirements for other roles are: Dora Strang, Alan's mother, should be between 40 and 50 years), Frank Strang (should be between 40 and 50 years), Jill Mason (Alan's love interest should be between 20 and 23 years), Heser Salomon (a magistrate should be between 30 and 50years), Harry Dalton (the stable owner should be between 40 and 60 years), Horseman (should be at least 5' 10" tall and, lean and be able to follow choreography), and horses (should be at least 5' 10" tall, lean and be able to follow choreography). Audie Gemora directs. For further information, please call Ria Pangilinan at 887 0710.

2. Instituto Cervantes present on March 6 at 6pm "La conjura del Escorial" (The El Escorial Conspiracy) will be shown. The film is a fast paced historical thriller based on the killings and conspiracy at Philip II's court with political and detective intrigues in the context of the struggles and disputes between the House of Alba and its followers and the House of Mendoza. Free admission. For seat reservation, please call 526 1445.

3. Kultura Filipino, a glimpse of Philippine culture through traditional dances and songs, is presented every Tuesday and Thursday (buffet at 6pm and performance at 7pm) at Barbara's Restaurant, Intramuros, Manila. This costs P495 net per person. For reservations, call Barbara's at 527 4986, 5274090 or 527 3893.

4. "Si Juan Tamad, ang Diyablo at ang Limang Milyong Boto" is PETA's last offering for its 42nd theater season. This musical comedy written by Vincent de Jesus and directed by Phil Noble will be shown until March 7 at the PETA-Phinma Theater in Eymard Drive, New Manila, Q.C. For further information, please call 725 6244.

5. Ballet Manila's 14th Season "Ballet and Ballads with Basil Valdez" was postponed to March 19 at 7:30pm, March 20 at 5pm and March 21 at 1pm due to a minor injury of Lisa Macuja during rehearsals. For further information and tickets, please call 525 5917 or 400 0292, or info@balletmanila.ph or visit website www.balletmanila.com

6. Tanghalang Pilipino present "Tatlong Marias," an adaptation of Anton Chekov's "Three sisters" as moved to a remote small town in the Philippines during the first decade of Martial Law. Loy Arcenas, presently based in New York City directs. Performances are from March 13 to 22 at the CCP Little Theater. For tickets, please call 832 3661.

7. Atlantis Productions once again present the hit Off-Broadway/Broadway shw, "Avenue Q" from March 12 to 27 at the RCBC Theater in Makati. Bobby Garcia and Chari Arespacochaga direct returning cast members' Felix Rivera, Aiza Seguerra, Frenchie Dy, Joel Trinidad, Thea Tadiar, Rachelle Alejandro and newcomer Cris Millado playing the role of Brian. To check if a show is still available for sponsorship or for seat reservations, please contact Atlantis Productions at 892 1078 or 840 1187. This show had a very successful run at the Singapore Esplanade Theater. I highly recommend this hilarious musical to all ADULTS ONLY.

8. "Ang Muntik Nang di Mapigilang Paghahari ni Arturo Ui," Katherine Sabate, Joshua So, and Patrick Valera's adaptation from Bertolt Brecht will be directed by Alexander Cortez and performed at the Wilfrido Ma Guerrero Theater (UP Diliman) until March 7. For further information, please call 926 1349.

9. Ballet Philippines last performance for the 2009-2010 Season is "Neo-Filipino: Dance in a Time of Change." Performances are on March 5 & 6 at 3pm & 8pm and on March 7 at 10am and 3pm at the CCP Little Theater. For tickets, please call Ticket World at 891 9999.

10. There will be a special concert titled, A Concert for Peace, scheduled on March 11 at 8pm at the CCP Main theater. The concert features pianist Vladimir Ashkenazy and his sons' Dimitri Ashkenazy (clarinet) and Vovk Ashkenazy (piano) in a program that includes: Schumann's "Three Dances, Op 94," Lutoslawskis Dance Prelude for clarinet and piano (1954), Poulanc's Sonata for Clarinet and Piano, Op 94, Schubert's "Divertimento a l'Hongroise" Op 54 (to be played on two pianos) and Ravel's "La Valse." Tickets may be purchased at the CCP Box Office at 832 3704 or Ticket World at 891 9999

11. The University of the Philippines (UPLB) closes its centennial celebration with a multi-cultural play titled "Teginet/A Dream Play." Translated into Tagalog and adapted by Emanuel Dumlao from Strinberg's "A Dream Play" and directed by Dennis Gupa, the play is about Maria Makiling who descends from heaven and encounters the problems of men. It will be staged on March 10 & 11 (3pm & 7pm) and 12 (7pm) at the DL Umali Hall, UPLB, Laguna. For further details, lease call Michael Falconi at 0906 557 2316.