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La Loba Negra
La Loba Negra
OPERAS
LA LOBA NEGRA (THE BLACK SHE-WOLF)
The story of La Loba Negra takes place during the 17th century of Spanish rule in the
Philippines. It revolves around the tragic assassination of Spanish Governor-General
Bustamante. His administration was greatly admired for his planned reforms in the
colonial administration. It also focused on the bitter reaction and planned vendetta
(revenge) by his wife Doña Luisa (La Loba Negra) on the religious perpetrators. As
massive corruption and friar abuse were prevalent, the entry of Governor-General
Bustamante to institute reforms did not sit well with the powerfully abusive priests,
which led to his untimely death.
SYNOPSIS
PROLOGUE - A FOREST
The opera begins with a divine prefiguration, menacing figure of a woman dancing about a
priest tied to a log, She goes into a frenzy as she castigates the priest. Amidst pitch darkness
interspersed with various forest sounds, a loud howling "wolf-sound" is heard.
ACT 1
The cast included Juanita Javier Torres as Maria Clara, Don David as
Ibarra, Fides Cuyugan Asensio as Sisa, Milo Cristobal as Padre (Father/priest) Damaso,
and Morli Daram as the director.
A SCENE FROM NOLI ME TANGERE
• Several other productions followed the premiere performance.
• Re-staged at the CCP Main Theatre from September 18-20 1987 in cooperation with the Music Theatre
Foundation of the Philippines.
• Oscar C. Yatco conducted the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra. The opera was directed by Jonas Sebastian
• The opera had its US production premiered as Noli Me Tangere: The Opera at Harris Theater in Chicago on May
28, 2012.
• It was also staged at The Kaye Playhouse, Hunter College, New York City, USA last October 2013, and at the
Resorts World in Manila in September 2014.
JONAS SEBASTIAN
a writer and actor
OSCAR C.YATCO
a Filipino-born German conductor and violinist.
THE NOVEL BEHIND THE OPERA
• The novel is said to have originated from the Latin version of the words, originating from John 20:17.
• 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.
• It was done in Berlin, Germany.
• It was banned in the Philippines by the Spanish authorities.
• This led to Rizal’s exile, imprisonment, and eventual execution.
SYNOPSIS OF THE OPERA
ACT 1
• his bitterness has jeopardized the relationship of Juanito Palaez & Paulita Gomez
• Paulita Gomez was an orphanned heiress cared for by her aunt Doña Victorina and Isagani
• this imprisonment was a betrayal by simoun for pointing out basilio as the mastermind of the revolution
that he himself planned
• simoun ignored the warning voice of maria clara & continued w/ his plan
• his plan was to give a wedding gift for Juanito Palaez and Paulita Gomez, a crystal lamp w/ deadly explosives