Coming soon: Imelda musical
An original musical about the life and loves of former First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos will soon be mounted in Manila, written by a Filipino for the Filipino audience and for the world to see. Titled Imeldarella (A Rock
Opera), the musical’s libretto is written by Francis Tanseco, a Filipino artist (literary and visual) who used to be based in London but now shuttles between San Francisco and Manila. Curiously, he is a Waray from Leyte just like the former First Lady.
Said Tanseco, “Imeldarella is not only about Mrs. Marcos. It is also about us Filipinos, our aspirations and strife as a people, our successes and failures, charting the conflicting issues besetting the Philippines today. The opera’s heart lies in the complex issue of identity, juxtaposing mirth and merriment with destitution and despair set into traditional Pinoy music and an exquisite original composition. It is told from an apolitical point of view and after watching it, the audience is expected to have ambivalent feelings. Will you love the central character, empathize with her or chastise her?”
Tanseco’s team is now in the pre-production phase. Auditions will be held in September for a July 2014 staging in time for Mrs. Marcos’ birthday.
The theme song Darling Philippines, It’s only Me will soon have an initial release
through YouTube. (For more information about the musical, please log on to www.imeldarella. com or www.francistanseco. com.)