The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) The Met: LIVE in HD continues to bring the magic of opera closer to Filipino audiences in its 10th season beginning this February. In partnership with the Metropolitan Opera of New York, The Filipinas Opera Society Foundation, Inc. (FOSFI) and the Ayala Malls Cinemas, eight new operas will be screened at Glorietta 4 in Makati City with the surround sound technology of Dolby Atmos.
Curtains of the CCP The Met: LIVE in HD reopened with Jacques Offenbach’s Les Contes d’Hoffmann, directed by Tony award-winner Bartlett Sher, on 4 February. Les Contes d’Hoffmann (The Tales of Hoffmann) are the ramblings of a man drunk in wine and love. Tormented poet Hoffmann (played by Benjamin Bernheim) adores Stella, an opera singer. In three dramatic acts with fantasy elements, he narrates anecdotes of his past lovers: a mechanical doll named Olympia, the young Antonia and the courtesan Giulietta residing in Venice.
Because it drew inspiration from three stories written by its namesake Ernst Theodor Wilhelm Hoffmann (E. T. A. Hoffmann), Offenbach’s Les Contes d’Hoffmann faced numerous setbacks. It was originally intended for Paris’ Théâtre de la Gaîté-Lyrique in 1877 but Offenbach missed the deadline. After his death in 1880, French composer Ernest Guiraud was commissioned to finish the opera.
Les Contes d’Hoffmann has no “official” version. Music historians questioned Offenbach’s intentions with its spoken dialogues, resulting in multiple iterations in the order of its acts. However, they strived to honor Offenbach’s plan of mapping the spiritual journey of love from the early stages of infatuation to the occasional indulgence of passing fancies.
Among the lineup of CCP The Met: LIVE in HD this season are Jeanine Tesori’s Grounded, Giacomo Puccini’s Tosca, Aida by Giuseppe Verdi, Ludwig Van Beethoven’s Fidelio, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, Salome of Richard Strauss and Gioachino Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia.
Tesori’s Grounded focuses on former fighter pilot Jess who finds her passion psychologically and ethically challenged. Under the guidance of critically acclaimed conductors Steven Osgood and Yannick Nézet-Séguin, this fast-paced tale of modern warfare graces the Philippine cinema on 4 March at 5:30 p.m.
Tosca is a political thriller set in 1800s Rome. The lives of diva Tosca, her lover Cavaradossi, and corrupt police chief Scarpia intertwine in this tale of love and deception. Witness Tosca confront her darkened fate on 8 April at 5:30 p.m.
During the reign of pharaohs in Egypt, Aida is a princess in love. After her beloved is chosen to lead a war with Ethiopia, she questions her loyalty to her country. This tragic story fosters a rollercoaster of emotions on 6 May, at 5:30 p.m.
Fidelio is Beethoven’s sole opera with soaring melodies. Heroine Leonore infiltrates a dungeon as a man to save her husband from an unjust execution. Under the baton of Grammy nominee Susanna Malkki, soprano Lise Davidsen fights for freedom in this drama slated for 3 June at 5:30 p.m.
Servants Figaro and Susanna navigate a whirlwind of mistaken identities to cement their happy ending in Le Nozze di Figaro (The Wedding of Figaro). Set to premiere on 1 July at 5:30 p.m., this comedy expresses themes of gender equality, infidelity and love.
Salome faces a tragedy as Herod, a superstitious ruler who happens to be her stepfather, becomes increasingly obsessed with her. Conducted by Grammy winner Yannick Nézet-Séguin, this gruesome biblical tale premieres on 12 August at 5:30 p.m.
Slated for 9 September, Il Barbiere di Siviglia is a story of deception and bribery. Count Almaviva falls in love with Rosina, who Bartolo locked in his home. Count Almaviva creates multiple disguises to access her in this comedy featuring powerful vocal performances from Isabel Leonard and Lawrence Brownlee.
As the CCP The Met: LIVE in HD returns, the CCP keeps true to its commitment to developing the nation’s appreciation for all art forms. The CCP, while imparting splendid operas from all parts of the world, hopes to encourage Filipino audiences to welcome new artistic experiences.
The operas are screened exclusively at Glorietta 4’s Cinema 1 in Makati City. Regular tickets for the CCP The Met: LIVE in HD are priced at P350. Students and young professionals may avail of the special discounted price of P100 upon presenting a valid ID. To purchase tickets, you may visit the venue’s ticket booth or book them online via www.sureseats.com.