‘RAVEL UNRAVELED’ CELEBRATES FRANCO-PHILIPPINE FRIENDSHIP
French pianist François Chaplin performs together with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra in an evening of French classical music on June 22, 8 p.m., at Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) to celebrate 70 years of friendship between France and the Philippines.
“Ravel Unraveled” commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Amity on June 26, 1947, which formally established diplomatic relations between France and the Philippines. Seventy years later, French-Philippine bilateral ties have entered a period of renewed dynamism in all aspects and a series of high-level political exchanges, including the first visit of a French head of state to the Philippines in 2015.
Chaplin trained at the Paris Conservatory under the tutelage of Bulgarian pianist Ventsislav Yankov, and later, of French pianist Jean-Claude Pennetier. Chaplin is one of the most renowned classical pianists in France today, having recorded the complete works for piano by Claude Debussy and Frédéric Chopin’s complete nocturnes. He has performed live both as a soloist in prestigious concert halls across the globe, from Paris and London to Mexico, and with prominent orchestras such as the Japan Philharmonic and the Saint Petersburg Philharmonic.
Chaplin is also a piano professor at the Versailles National Music Conservatory and has led master classes on French music at the Conservatory of Saint Petersburg and the University of Montreal, among others.
“Ravel Unraveled” not only marks the 70th anniversary of French-Philippine relations through music, but also sym- bolizes solidarity between the two countries. The proceeds of this concert will benefit the rehabilitation and housing projects of the France-Philippines United Action (FPUA) Foundation, the first foundation in the world to be administered by a French Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The FPUA was created following the passage of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” in 2013. Today, the foundation works with French donors to implement programs on housing rehabilitation, health and children’s welfare.
The Embassy of France to the Philippines, the CCP and the SSI Group Inc., copresent “Ravel Unraveled” as part of “PhilFrance: Feel French!” a yearlong festival to celebrate the 70th year of diplomatic relations between France and the Philippines. This concert is also made possible through the generous support of SSI Group brands Lacoste and Longchamp, Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila and Air France.
Tickets priced at P3,000, P2,000, P1,000 and P800 are available at the CCP Box Office. Call 8323704 or 8919999.