NOVEMBER 19, 2008 - CONCERT HONORING ROBERT COYIUTO

BY JUAN ANTONIO LANUZA

Robert Coyiuto, a self-made man of enterprise who was also a lover of culture and refinement and a supporter of the arts as well a collector of antiques, would have loved the way his children planned the celebration of his 85th birthday on September 27 at the Meralco Theater. During the celebration, a bust of Mr. Robert Coyiuto by Rafael del Casal and a portrait by Romulo Galicano were unveiled. All his children were present on stage and introduced to the audience as well as an audio-video showing about the multiple achievements of Mr. Coyiuto.

The afternoon was planned in extreme detail. Drinks were available during the pre performance cocktail reception and post performance cocktails and delectable canapes prepared under the supervision of Gaita Fores of Cibo fame were served after the concert at the Meralco Theater Cocktail Lounge and Lobby. They also launched that evening a book titled "Robert Coyiuto, Filipino Mandarin" by Charlson Ong. The entire lobby of the Meralco Building was beautifully decorated and naturally filled to capacity by the guests.

Born on September 30, 1923, Robert Coyiuto was the first Filipino member of the prestigious Lloyd's of London. He already was leading corporations that became among the giant companies in the industry. In 1981, he founded Prudential Guarantee and Assurance, Inc., which is now run by his five sons who continue to revere his legacy of excellence, propriety, filial piety, and compassion. He passed away on May 5, 1982 at the age of 58.

For this concert his loved ones and guests from all over the world gathered at the theater to honor him. In order to ensure that the concert would have good acoustics, an acoustical shell was constructed on the stage and for the highest quality of musical concert experience, an award-winning Bosendorfer grand piano designed by Ferdinand Alexander Porsche of the world famous Porsche Design Company was exclusively flown in from Vienna.

Mr. Coyiuto would have been very pleased to note that in this concert, two generations of the Coyiutos were featured. Piano soloist Cristine Coyiuto, wife of his son James, and 14-year-old flautist Caitlin Alisa Coyiuto (daughter of James and Cristine) were the soloists. Both of them dedicated their performance to his memory. They were joined by eminent conductor Helen Quach and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO).

After Helen Quach's majestic rendition of the Philippine National Anthem, she rendered an inspired rendition of Wagner's impressive "Die Meistersinger von Nurnburg Overture."

Cristine Coyiuto then gave an exciting and emotional performance of Schumann's lovely Piano Concerto in A minor. Those who are old enough to remember Lana Turner in the 20^th Century Fox movie, "Peyton Place," can reminisce about how this composition was used as background music in this film. Ms. Coyiuto's musicality and technique were very evident. All obstacles the piece presented to the soloist, were not evident since she played this piece impeccably and made us, me in particular, reminisce about the many times we had heard and loved this composition. Ms. Coyiuto chose this piece also as a homage to Schumann whose bicentennial will be celebrated by the world in 2010.

Then it was Caitlin Alisa Coyiuto's turn to show us how talented she is. She chose to give for her orchestral debut the Philippine premiere of Poulenc's Flute Sonata as orchestrated by Sir Lennox Berkeley. She had just returned from Academie Internationale d'Ete de Nice in France where she was the youngest flute student in the master class of Vincent Lucas (Principal Flute Player of the Orchestre de Paris) and Davide Formisano (Principal Flute Player of the Teatro alla Scala). She is a dedicated performer and showed full involvement in her flute playing as well as coloration. It was the first time I heard this composition, and though not always a fan of compositions by Poulenc, I enjoyed this one very much. Caitlin is a musician we can look forward to hearing more of in the near future. Keep up the good work, Caitlin!

Ms. Quach gave very good support to both performers after which she gave us a performance of Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony that was so stirring that the audience stood up at the end for a standing ovation. Wonderful playing Helen Quach. We look forward to hearing you again in the near future.

As encores we had two beautiful pieces by mother and daughter: Benjamine Goddard's Allegro Op 116 No 1 for flute and piano and Claude Bolling's Veloce from Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano. Both pieces were very warmly applauded by the very appreciative audience.

Mr. Robert Coyiuto, you would have been proud about the way your family handled this event.

WHAT'S ON IN MANILA?

1. Repertory Philippine's production of Walt Disney's musical, "Mulan Jr," runs until December 18. "A Christmas Carol" starring Miguel Faustmann/Audie Gemora as Scrooge with more than three dozen other Rep performers opened on November 14 and has been very well accepted by the audience. I attended the November 16 matinee show; I highly recommend this show to you. Bring your whole family for an evening of family bonding. I will write about it next week. The show runs until December 14. On December 2 at 8pm Repertory again presents "Tuesdays with Morrie" starring Miguel Faustmann and Bart Guingona. For tickets, please contact Repertory at 887 0710 or visit their website at www.repertory-philippines.com

3. Atlantis Productions brings "Hairspray," the big fat Broadway musical hit that won 8 Tony Awards including Best Musical, to Manila for a limited engagement from November 14 to December 7 at the Star Theater, CCP Complex. Bobby Garcia directs a large cast consisting of Madel Ching (Tracy Turnblad), Michael de Mesa (Edna Turnblad), Menchu Launchengco-Yulo (Velma Von Tussel), Timn Espinosa (Link Larkin), Christine Allado (Amber Von Tussle), Nyoy Volante (Seaweed J. Stubbs), Dulce (Motormouth Maybelle), Noel Rayos (Corny Collins), Leo Rialp (Wilbur Turnblad), Monica Reynoso (Penny Pingleton), Enchang Agudo (Female Authority Figure) and Gabe Mercado (Male Authority Figure). Selected show nights and matinees are now available for interested block buyers with a maximum 45% return on investment. For inquiries and reservations, please call Sally at Atlantis Productions 892 7078 or 840 1187 or visit www.atlantisproductionsinc.com

4. Filipino Artists Series 2008 - On November 19 at 7:30pm at the CCP Little theater countertenor Mark Anthony Carpio performs. He started off as a pianist finishing his Bachelor of Music degree in Piano, "cum laude," at the UP College of Music. After graduation, he joined the Philippine Madrigal Singers performing in local and international tours and competitions. Tickets are available at the CCP Box Office.

5. Tangahalang Pilipino's next production is "Mga Guerilya sa Powell Street." It runs until November 30 at the CCP Tanghalang Huseng Batute. The plot is about Filipino veterans in America and their untold stories of war. It stars Bembol Rocco and Tommy Abuel. For tickets, please call Paolo or Lei at 832 3661 or 832 1125 local 1620 or 1621.

6. On November 19 at 8pm at the CCP Main Theater there will be a recital featuring pianist Katya Grineva, a Carnegie and Steinway artist, with soprano Joanna Go. Tickets available at the CCP Box Office.

7. The University of the Philippines continues its centennial celebration with the staging on November 21 at 7pm at the UP Theater, Diliman, Quezon City with the staging of "100 Years of World Class Music. Behn Cervantes directs almost 200 musical performers. The presentation will gather the university's acclaimed choirs, the Orchestra of the UP School of Music, and performers such as Evelyn Mandac, Noel Velasco, Frankie Aseniero, Camille Lopez Molina, Nolyn Cabahug, Ana Feleo and others. For details and tickets, please call 920 6868 or 920 6871.

8. On November 23 at 7pm at CCP Main Theater there will be a concert titled "The UST Symphny Orchestra in Concert." It will feature Ariel Sta Ana conducting harpist Lourdes de Leon Gregorio, flutist Eric Barcelo and contrabass player Ariston Payte III preforming Rimsky-Korsakov's "Russian Easter Overture," Dittersdorf's "Concerto for Contrabass," Mozart's "Concerto for Flute and Harp," and Tchaikovsky's "Symphony No. 5."

9. On December 7 at the Francisco Santiago Hall, BDO, Makati City - there will be a special two-piano concert featuring Mary Ann Espina and Rudolf Pelaez Golez interpreting Mozart's Piano Sonata in B flat Major, Schubert's Fantasie in F minor and Brahm's Hungarian Dances. Do not miss this opportunity to hear these two fine Filipino pianists in such an interesting program. For tickets, please call Allan Andres at telephone numbers 535 5915 r 0918 347 3027.

For further information and comments the author may be reached at jalanuza2000@yahoo.com before 10:30pm today, this column may be found on the Business World web site: http://www.bworldonline.com/BW060105/lanuza.php