German envoy hosts concert with world-class artists

On Aug. 2, German Ambassador Dr. Gordon Kricke hosted a night of exemplary music at his residence with world-class artists from Germany and the Philippines: Prof. Dr. Matias de Oliveira Pinto on cello, Mariel Ilusorio on piano, and soprano artist Andión Fernandez.

Guests from the diplomatic corps, Philippine government, business, development and culture circles were enthralled with performances of both classical and contemporary music. The performed pieces include masterpieces from Heitor Villa-Lobos, Johannes Brahms, Richard Strauss, and modern compositions by Jeffrey Ching, as well as Kundiman ni Schumman as arranged by Jeffrey Ching.

Renowned cellist, Prof. Dr. Matias de Oliveira Pinto was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil and is currently based in Germany. Beside his solo, chamber and festival performances in South America, Europe, the US, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, Prof. Dr. de Oliveira Pinto is also a dedicated professor at the Hanns Eisler Music University in Berlin.

Mariel Ilusorio, an outstanding Filipina pianist, was a 1st prize winner for Category A of the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA). She has won several international prizes, including the special prize at the 14th Rinal Salo Gallo International Competition in Italy, Maria Canals Piano Competition in Barcelona, the East Friesland Piano Prize in 1999 in Germany and the grand prize in the Carlo Soliva International Piano Photo shows (from left) Prof. Dr. Matias de Oliveira Pinto, German Ambassador Dr. Gordon Kricke, Mariel Ilusorio, Andión Fernandez, and Jeffrey Ching. Competition 2000.

Andión Fernandez is a Spanish-Filipina soprano who was born in Manila. She was a soloist of the Deutsche Oper Berlin from 2001 to 2010. She is a prizewinner of Operalia International Opera Competition, Hamburg, and the Cardiff Singer of the World competition. Fernandez excels in the art song repertoire of Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the Philippines, to which she devotes several recitals in Europe and Asia every year.