World-class performers set the stage for 'Intramuros Evenings'

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the Intramuros Administration (IA) once again join forces to bring a night of artistry and emotion to the historic Walled City for the third edition of Intramuros Evenings. This year’s presentation, Francis Poulenc’s Aubade Concerto and La Voix Humaine (The Human Voice), will take place on 12 November at 7 p.m. at the Centro de Turismo, Intramuros, Manila.

A symphony of emotion and expression

The evening begins with Poulenc’s Aubade, originally conceived as a ballet and later performed as a chamber concerto for piano and 18 instruments. Blending 18th-century neoclassicism with the fluid lyricism of 20th-century French music, this elegant piece will feature world-renowned pianist and former CCP president Raul Sunico with the University of Santo Tomas Symphony Orchestra (USTSO) under the direction of Maestro Herminigildo Ranera.

Following Aubade is Poulenc’s haunting one-act monodrama La Voix Humaine, a poignant portrayal of heartbreak and solitude. The opera revolves around Elle, a woman in anguish as she bids farewell to her lover through a series of fragmented phone calls. Filipina soprano Armela Fortuna takes on the emotionally charged role, performing alongside the USTSO, whose lush harmonies heighten the drama of the moment.

A collaboration of masters

Intramuros Evenings: La Voix Humaine exemplifies how the arts transcend boundaries, brought to life through the collaboration of several Gawad CCP Para sa Sining awardees and esteemed Filipino creatives.

Nonon Padilla, Gawad CCP 2020 awardee, directs the production, while Gino Gonzales, 2024 Gawad CCP awardee, leads the production design, known for his imaginative use of repurposed local materials. Lighting design is by Monino Duque, Gawad CCP awardee and current CCP trustee, who will illuminate Intramuros’s centuries-old walls with his signature artistry.

The late GA Fallarme, acclaimed for his work in projection and video design, also lends his visual genius posthumously through projections featured in the performance.

Completing the creative ensemble is world-renowned Filipino fashion designer Josie Natori, who designed the costume for the soprano. Her refined aesthetic and sensual craftsmanship bring a couture touch to the stage—where music, theater, and fashion converge in elegance.

Behind the curtain

Behind this major cultural event is a powerhouse team of theater professionals dedicated to ensuring the seamless integration of music and visual storytelling. The production is helmed by production manager Nikki Garde-Torres, with assistant production manager Myka Cheong and technical director Louie Alcoran. Stage management is by Nenen Espina, Pearl Boronilla, Raine, and June Niel Belisario, whose work ensures that every cue and light complements the artistic vision.

Intramuros as a living stage

This latest installment follows Tanghalang Pilipino’s Ganito Na Kami Noon, Paano Na Ngayon? in July and Serenata ng Banda in September 2025. Through these productions, the CCP and IA continue to transform Intramuros into a vibrant cultural hub where history, architecture, and performance art meet.

As the third of four productions planned for the year, Intramuros Evenings: La Voix Humaine reaffirms the partnership’s shared mission to bring opera and classical performance closer to the Filipino public—celebrating both heritage and artistic innovation.

The event is free and open to the public, with seating on a first-come, first-served basis.