Philippine Opera

Opera is an art and musical form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic
work combining text (called libretto). And a musical score, usually in an elaborate
theatrical setting. It incorporates many of the elements of spoken theater such as
acting, scenery, costume, and sometimes dance.

Opera performance is typically given in an opera house , cultural center , theater or

auditorium. It is also accompanied by an orchestra or smaller musical ensemble and
the dialogue is entirely sung not spoken. Opera is part of the Western classical music
form and tradition. It started in Italy at the end of the 16th century and soon spread
through the rest of Europe

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 Philippine opera emerged in the Philippines when foreign performers,including
instrumental virtuosi, as well as opera singers and Spanish zarzuela performers
came to the country to perform for enthusiastic audiences. As the locals were being
exposed to western art and music, they were also realizing their own talents and
passion for the opera. That period in Philippine history was ripe for artists to voice
their own sentiments about love of country and longing for independence from
colonial rule.
The element of tragedy emanating from the popular themes of romance,
deceit, murder, vendetta and other elements of human frailty became a favorite story
pattern of the Filipino opera. Some operatic works were based on previous literary
creations.
The establishment of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) by then First
lady Imelda Romualdez -Marcos in 1969 paved the way for other Filipino operas to
be staged at a legitimate venue of international standard.

Cultural center of the Philippines

Activity 1: PROMINENT PHILIPPINE OPERA FIGURES AND THEATERS

LOCAL THEATERS-
1.Teatro Zorilla or Zorilla Theatre, also known as the Dulaang Zorilla sa
Maynila was a prominent theatre in the Philippines.

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1. Metropolitan Theater 2. Manila Grand Opera House

3. The Quiapo Theater House 4. Zorilla Theater

B. LOCAL COMPOSERS AND THEIR NOTED COMPOSITIONS

1. Pedro Paterno-a poet, novelist, musician and a government official. He authored
the First Filipino opera entitled Sandugong
Panaginip- This was first presented at the Zorilla
Theater on August 2, 1902 and later translated by
the Englishman M.W. Loving with the title
Dreamed Alliance.

findagrave.com.

2. Bonifacio Abdon- (14 Mayo 1876–23 Abril 1944)

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 The First Filipino opera impresario who
promoted local talents to participate in foreign
productions. Filipino musician, conductor and
composer;
known as the “Father of the Modern Kundiman”

3. Orchestra Molina- known for its interpretation of operatic works as well as other
classical compositions.
4. Patricio Mariano-he authored Lakangbini that was staged at the metropolitan
Theater on December 19, 1933.
-He wrote several Tagalog novels, including Ang
Mga Anak ng Dalita (The
Children of Indigence) and Ang Tala sa Panghulo
(The Star of Panghulo), which is included in
Filipiniana.net's list of the 100 best Tagalog
novels. He is most noted for producing the best
Tagalog translation of Jose Rizal's Noli Me
Tangere.

FILIPINO OPERATIC DIVAS

1. Nelia Manalo- she portrayed the
leading role of Violetta in
Guiseppe Verdi’s La Traviata
2. Mercedes Matias Santiago-
Acted as Lucia in Gaetano Donizetti’s
Lucia di Lamermoor

Youtube.com

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 3. Jovita Fuentes- -National
Artist Awardee.
-She acted as Mimi in Giacomo
Puccini’s La Boheme

Pinoykollektor.blogspot.com

Aria. A self-contained piece for solo voice, usually accompanied by orchestra. In

opera, arias mostly appear during a pause in dramatic action when a character is
reflecting on their emotions. Most arias are lyrical, with a tune that can be hummed,
and many arias include musical repetition.

Assessment #1:
1. If ever you are given the chance to become a member of an opera group, what
element of theater will you be engaging. Will you be the actor? Dancer?
Costume designer, scenery designer or even director? In 3-5 sentences,
explain the reason/s why you opted to be in that position.

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Activity #2: ORIGINAL PHILIPPINE OPERAS

1. LA LOBA NEGRA- La Loba Negra (The Black She-wolf) is a three-act Filipino

opera. Acts 1 and 2 are based on history. Act III is based on a legend
attributed to Fr. Jose
Burgos, one of the three
martyred priests Gomez,
Burgos, and Zamora
who were executed in
Bagumbayan (now
Luneta) in 1872. The
music was composed by
National Artist Francisco
Feliciano with
Libretto by soprano
Fides Cuyugan Asensio

m.youtube.com

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Background of the Opera

The story of La Loba Negra takes place in the 17th century , during the time of
Spanish rule in the Philippines. It revolves around the tragic assaination of Spanish
Governor-General Fernando Bustamante, whose administration was greatly admired
for its planned reforms in the colonial administration . As massive corruption and
abuse by the Spanish friars were prevalent, the entry of Governor-general
Bustamante to institute reforms did not sit well with the powerful priests. Thus
leading to his untimely death. The story thus focuses on the bitter reaction and
planned revenge by his wife Dona Luisa (La Loba Negra) on the religious
perpetrators.
The music and libretto closely collaborate to portray the dramatic moods in the
opera. Such moods are particularly depicted in the murder scenes that are effectively
contrasted with the solemn sounds and religious fervor of the liturgical rites. The
moral issue of vengeance may be perhaps explained by the temporary insanity of
Dona Luisa brought on by the brutal killings of her husband and son. Thus the Aztec
god is portrayed as a scapegoat for the purge she carried out. As a librettist Asensio
concluded “ the night is long but the sun will rise…and rise again in the east

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Activity#3:NOLI ME TANGERE AND EL FILIBUSTERISMO, THE
OPERA
1. NOLI ME TANGERE - The three
-act opera Noli Me Tangere was
composed by national artist Felipe Padilla de Leon, with libretto by
National Artist Guillermo Tolentino. It premiered in 1957 at the Far
eastern University (FEU) Auditorium. The cast included ierJuanita Jav
Torres as Maria Clara, Don
avidDas Ibarra, Fides Cuyugan Asensio

as Sisa, Milo Crist

obal as Padre Damaso and Morli
aram D as the
director.
Please watch the link (you may also watch other video clips) for further understanding and
appreciation of the opera
.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBJW1NRCD1g
http://docshare01.docshare.tips/files/29905/299050069.pdf

The Novel Behind the Opera

The title of Rizal’s novel Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not) was said to have
originated from the Latin version of the words, originating from John 20:17. It
was spoken by Jesus to Mary Magdalene who recognized Him after His
Resurrection, reasoning to her “for I am not yet ascended to the Father.” The
novel was written to expose the ills of the Spanish Catholic friars and the ruling
government. It was finished in 1886.Rizal initially found it difficult to solicit moral
and financial support from his friends, until Maximo Viola helped him with the
printing. The printing of Noli was done in Berlin,Germany. The English version
was later released to Australian Book Stores. After which,Penguin Books took on
the tasks of publishing the novel to have its own translated version. The book
was banned in the Philippines by the Spanish authorities for its supposedly
subversive elements. This led to Rizal’s exile, imprisonment, and execution.

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 2. ELFILIBUSTERISMO- the three-act opera El Filibusterismo was composed by
National Artist Felipe Padilla de Leon in 1970, with libretto in Filipino by
Anthony Morli. The cast included Fides Cuyugan Asensio as Paulita,
Constancio Bernardo as Simon and Irma Potenciano as Juli. It was staged
at the Cultural center of the Philippines. Kindly browse this link for better
understanding on the content of the opera.
http://docshare01.docshare.tips/files/29905/299050069.pdf

The Novel Behind the Opera

El Filibusterismo (The Filibuster) was a novel by Dr. Jose Rizal, a sequel to the
earlier Noli Me Tangere. It tells of the continuing struggle of the Filipino people to
achieve freedom and emancipation from colonial rule. Through the major characters
involved, it reflects the prevailing state of Philippine government and society that has
become corrupt and immoral. For which, a revolution was being seen as the only
solution for change. It was also perceived as a warning from Rizal, an intellectual of
the highest order. Although he favored a peaceful way of instituting reforms, the
seemingly hopeless situation to achieve this method points closer and closer to
armed rebellion in order to gain independence.

Assessment #3: Answer the following questions.

1.How did these two Philippine opera reflected life in the 20th century?
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2.Based from the readings and video clips that you had, briefly discuss the distinct
characteristics of Philippine opera.
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Good job learner! This time is for you to apply what you have learned from the
lesson. In this exciting part of your module, there are two choices for you to select.
Take note learner, just choose one activity among the two choices given.

Post-assessment: Read the statement carefully and select the letter of your
best answer then write it in the space before the number. Use CAPITAL letters
____1.A three-act Filipino opera which takes place during the 17th century of
Spanish rule in thePhilippines.
A. La Loba Negra C. Noli Me Tangere
B. Rigoletto D. El Filibusterismo
____2. It revolves around the tragic assassination of Spanish Governor-General
Bustamante.
A. El Filibusterismo C. Noli Me Tangere
B. Rigoletto D. La Loba Negra
____3. What made the works of Rizal an excellent choice for an operatic production?
C. Happy ending C. tragic ending
D. Resolved conflicts D. nationalism
____4. She was the Black-She Wolf of LA Loba Negra who is the wife of Governor-
General Bustamante.
A. Dona Maria C. Dona Imelda
B. Dona Luisa D. Dona Juana
____5. In the opera La Loba Negra, he got the gifts to add to the Church’s treasury.
He blesses the guests as he reassures them of a place in heaven.
A. Governor-General Bustamante C. Fray Totanes
C. Auditor General Torralba D. Crisostomo Ibarra

____6. Doña Luisa’s vengeance was due to her temporary insanity caused by the
following reasons:
A. rape case of her daughter C. tragic assassination of his husband
B. overdue tax D. corruption and religion
____7. The three-act opera Noli Me Tangere was composed by National Artist
____________________,with libretto by National Artist Guillermo Tolentino.
A. El Filibusterismo C. Noli Me Tangere
B. La Traviata D. La Loba Negra
____8. He returns to Manila from thirteen years of absence in order to find his
beloved Maria Clara, the musical play closely follows the Rizal novel, whose major
character was Crisostomo Ibarra disguised as ____________?
A. Samuel C. Simon
B. Sebastian D. Salvador
____9. Opera is said to have been started in Italy way back___
C. 17th Century C. 18th Century D. 19th Century
th
D. 20 Century
____10. He was considered as the Father of Modern Kundiman

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 C. Bonifacio Abdon C. Ramon Javier
D. Imelda Marcos D. Felipe Padilla de Leon
____11. He was the first Filipino opera conductor
C. Ramon Javier C. Bonifacio Abdon
D. Francis Feliciano D. Juan Molina
____12. The first Filipino Opera staged at the Dulaang Zorilla sa Maynila
C. La Boheme C. Sandugong Panaginip
D. Aida D. Noli Me Tangere

____13.This novel authored by Jose Rizal is said to have originated from the Latin
version of the words from the Bible verse John 20:17
A. El Filibusterismo C. Noli Me Tangere
B. La Traviata D. La Loba Negra
____14.This novel tells the continuing struggle of the Filipino people to achieve
freedom from Spanish rule.
A. Noli Me Tangere C. El Filibusterismo
B. La Traviata D. La Loba Negra

____15. Which of the following is NOT a usual theme of Filipino opera?

C. vendetta C. love of country
D. murder D. love for colonial rule

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