Tenors dazzle and guitarists mesmerize Abelardo Hall

THE MANILA Symphony Orchestra (MSO) found a new home in the Power Mac Center Spotlight theater in Circuit Makati on Feb. 6, where they received a rousing standing ovation after a scene from “West Side Story.”

Everyone did well, but the most applauded was the “Cosi Fan Tutte” duet (“Fra Gli Amplessi”) of tenor Arthur Es- piritu and soprano Myramae Tapia Meneses.

Espiritu made his debut at the Frankfurt Opera on March 13, singing “Renucio” from the Puccini opera “Gianni Schicchi.”

“Love in the Time of Opera” also featured Nonie Buencamino (“Carousel”); Carlo Manalac (“West Side Story”); Camille Lopez Molina and Noel Azcona (“Merry Widow”); Iona Ventocilla and Mark Bautista (“O Soave Fanciulla” from “Boheme”).

What is remarkable is, the Viva Voce ensemble has become so versatile it excels not just in opera but in OPM, Broadway and zarzuela.

MSO under Arturo Molina was in top shape and here’s wishing they adopt that same venue for future concerts.

Meanwhile, an evening devoted to Mario Lanza favorites yielded quite a big crowd at Ayala Museum Saturday night. The star of the show was the young tenor Nomher Nival, accompanied with great sensitivity by pianist Gabriel Allan Paguirigan.

Ably accompanied by pianist Paguirigan, Nival (with soprano Stephanie Aguilar) opened with the early Lanza movie favorites ( “That Midnight Kiss,” “You Are Love”) and ended up vocally incandescent in Nicholas Brodsky’s “Be My Love.”

Soprano Aguilar entranced with her rendition of “Un Bel di (Madam Butter- fly).” But it was the way she ended with beautiful pianissimos in “All the Things You Are” and “Danny Boy” that made the audience ecstatic, responding with a standing ovation.

Nival and Paguirigan will close the 2016 Catanduanes SummerMusic Festival on April 23, at the Marem Pension House Function Hall in Virac, Catanduanes.

The concert of tenor Nival, Aguilar pianist and Paguirigan was made possible by Cultural Events Organizers in partnership with Ayala Museum, Lyric Piano, DZFE.FM The Master’s Touch and TIEZA.

The next event at Ayala Museum is a vocal concert called “Divas” featuring Myramae Tapia Meneses, Anna Dinah Migallos and Michaela Fajardo with pianist Gabriel Allan Ferros Paguirigan on April 9, 7 p.m.

Call 09209540053 or 9979483.

Japanese guitarist

Japanese classical guitarist Tomonori Arai told the INQUIRER he was once again excited to perform for Filipino audience, with whom he interacted when he attended the 2012 Manila International Guitar Festival.

While figuring in some competitions where he emerged a prizewinner (first prize at Japan Junior Guitar Competition, Student Guitar Competition, and Spanish Guitar Music Competition), he admitted his most tough rival was not other musicians but himself. “The real enemy is myself,” he admitted. Other competition in Europe he participated in was the Austria International RUST 2000.

Arai performed with the Duo Trussardi on March 20, at the UP Abelardo Hall, Diliman, Quezon City.

Presented by Independent Art Ventures, Inc, the guitar concert was made possible with support from Japan Foundation Manila, Richmonde Hotel Ortigas and Trattoria Poggio Antico.

Call TicketWorld at 8919999.