Press Release:
As a pre-Valentine treat, come and watch " SEASONS OF
DESIRE " – a story of love,
treachery and vengeance in an opera concert set on FEBRUARY 7, 2015 – SATURDAY
- 8 p.m. at the Abelardo Hall, College
of Music in U.P. Diliman, Q.C.
Featuring topnotch
artists Elaine Lee (soprano), Ivan Nery (tenor), Lawrence Jatayna (baritone)
and Dingdong Fiel (piano), "SEASONS OF DESIRE" written by Vladimir
Gonzales and Directed by Nazer D. Salcedo, is a tribute to the Filipino Asian novela
craze, as well as an attempt to extend the love for opera to a broader
audience. Using selected opera pieces from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Giuseppe
Verdi, the one-night only opera concert shall feature tropes from local and
international dramas - the sudden tragedy, a betrayal of trust, a plot of
revenge, a redemption --- and incorporates these tropes to songs from famous
operas such as Le Nozze de Figaro, Magic Flute, La Traviata and Rigoletto.
“Seasons of
Desire” is a story of a couple excited to start their lives together as a
family. While they prepare their wedding festivities (Cinque dieci, venti – Le
Nozze di Figaro), there was a reminiscence of the man searching for a maiden to
be his wife (Ein Madchen oder Weibchen – Magic Flute). A call of fate happened
that one rainy afternoon, he saw this lady doing her chores singing to herself
(In uomini, in soldati – Cosi fan tutte). Their eyes met and the man serenades
her (Deh vieni alla finestra – Don Giovanni). This encounter blossomed into a
romantic entanglement. Nothing is sweeter than love. They finally got married
and started their lives together they did planning on having children
(Papageno/Papagena duet –Magic Flute). Soon, season of love bears fruit to a lovely
daughter.
The mother died
during childbirth. The season of treachery and vengeance loomed. The used to be
strong man is now an old weak father. He raised the daughter on his own. She
grew into a beautiful maiden. Every morning she goes to work at the Hopia de
Leche Factory. The infamous owner of the factory is known for using his charm
to lure women. For him, women are nothing but a bunch of toys for pleasure
(Questo o quella – Rigoletto). With her innocence, she never thought that this
man has an evil agenda on her. He did his sweet talks and she immediately fell
for them (Signor ne principe – Rigoletto). She felt like floating in love,
enchanted by his charms, his handsome physique (Caro Nome – Rigoletto).
The owner asks
permission from the maiden’s father, with the intent of bribe to take her out
for a day. The father, enraged by the man’s seemingly immoral character, turns
him down, sends him away. His refusal pushed the owner to do something drastic.
As the day is
about to end, the father went to fetch his daughter from the factory just to
find out that his daughter was no longer there. Desperately he searches for his
daughter fears for her safety and time is running out (Cortigiani). Suddenly
the father hears a cry, calling his name. He sees a helpless maiden apparently
torn of her dignity (Mio Padre…tutte le feste). The father vows vengeance as
soon as he finds the mystery criminal (Si vendetta, tremenda vendetta).
The mystery man wore
a mask man revealed his identity at the bar as he brags to his drinking buddies
that women are easily replaceable (La donna e mobile). The father recognizes
the boss of her daughter in the Hopia de Leche Factory is the mastermind. He
found an opportunity to plot his revenge by knocking the man unconscious. When
the man gained consciousness, he was tied up and shouts for help. The innocent
maiden freed him in return he killed her. This is treachery. The father saw a
dead body in the room where he locked the man never to expect it is his
daughter. She apologizes to her father as she bids farewell. Her spirit will
rest together with her mom. She pleaded her father to forget vengeance and just
forgive (V’ho ingannato). She pleads to forgive and let go of all the anger (Addio del passato – La Traviata).
For
ticket inquiries, please call 0919-4722340 or send email to productions.bellanotte@gmail.com.
