‘Walang Sugat’ in the 21st century: Darker this time?
Filmmaker Carlitos Siguion Reyna tries stage directing
THE “WALANG KUPAS” (unfading) zarzuela “Walang Sugat”—with its captivating music by Fulgencio Tolentino and literate libretto by Severino Reyes—is, in this music buff’s opinion, our greatest zarzuela.
It has been produced many times since its triumphant premiere in—gasp!—1902, when there were still pockets of resis- tance against the American imperialists, even though US President Theodore Roosevelt had declared the Philippine-American War officially over.
“Walang Sugat” has also been made into a film and is just beg- ging to be transformed into grand opera. (On second thought, there may be no need for this for the original production—with embellishments here and there—will do nicely.)
Rib-tickling duet
Filled with melodic arias, duets romantic as well as comic, and throbbing music, the zarzuela tells the story of Temyong and Julia, whose love for each other is rudely interrupted by war when Temyong joins the revolution against Spain.
“Walang Sugat” was last staged by Tanghalang Ateneo in 2010 with the young tenor Antonio (Arman) Ferrer, a Voice student of the UP College of Music, outstanding as Temyong. He reprises this role (alternating with Noel Rayos) in the latest incarnation of the zarzuela, to be staged by Tanghalang Pilipino Aug. 9-26 at Tanghalang Aurelio V. Tolentino, Cultural Center of the Philippines.
Soprano Cris Villonco plays Julia, with stage direction by Carlitos Siguion-Reyna and music direction by composer Chino Toledo.
This was
announced
by Nanding Josef, Tanghalang Pilipino’s artistic director, during a recent press conference at the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in Intramuros, Manila.
Ferrer, Villonco and Rayos sang songs which had become a staple on the concert stage. Red Nuestro and Jennifer Villegas performed a rib-tickling comic duet.