The PHILIPPINE OPERA

Prepared by MARIBEL M. DE LUNA

 `
Introduction

An opera is an art form in which

singers and musicians perform a
dramatic work combining text (libretto)
and musical score, in a theatrical
setting. In an opera, lines are sung
instead of spoken.
Early Musical Forms

It is also known as mini opera. It is a variety show without

a plot but with a unifying idea. Generally, musical comedy
is in two acts. Jacques Offenbach was known
as the Father of Operetta.
Theatrical Forms
It is an art form in which singers and
musicians perform a dramatic work
combining text and musical score in a
theatrical setting.
ELEMENTS OF OPERA

CO TUM S
POETRY
SCENERY
ACTING
Components of Opera

•Libretto – texts of an opera; Librettist or Dramatist is the

writer of the opera.
•Overture – a musical introduction to an opera
•Recitative – a type of declamatory singing, free in rhythm
and tempo, used in the prose parts and
dialogue of an opera
•Aria – an air or melody in an opera for solo voice with
instrumental accompaniment
•Orchestra - a group of musicians playing together
 The First Philippine Opera
The first Philippine Opera in the Tagalog
Language is Sandugong Panaguinip. It was
composed by Ladislao Bonus who is dubbed as
the “Father of Philippine Opera”. This is a one-
act opera with five scenes, based on La Alianza
Soñada, a Spanish libretto by Pedro Paterno.
This was translated into Tagalog by Roman G.
Reyes, a dramatist and novelist.
 Sangdugong Panaguinip
Ladislao Bonus is the maternal
grandfather of Felipe M. De Leon Jr.,
a music scholar and humanities
professor at the University of the
Philippines, and son of National
Artist for Music, Felipe Padilla de
Leon.
 SAMPAGUITA
• Composer: Paterno, Dolores
• Lyricist: Pedro Paterno
• Key / Mode: C major - F major
• Genre: Songs of Appreciation / Praise / Tribute
• Form: Danza
• Historical Period: Spanish Period
• Date of Composition: 1879
• About the Song: While sitting in her veranda one night,
Paterno was inspired by the moonlight bathing the fragrant
sampaguita flowers in her garden. She went to her piano and
played a tune which turned into this immortal composition
“Sampaguita” also called “La Flor de Manila”.
JOVITA FUENTES
National Artist Award for Music
• She was the First Filipino Opera Star born
on February 15, 1895
• She is a theatre artist that captured the
hearts of her audiences here and abroad.
Jovitas ‘s prowess in singing was evident at
an early age of 5.
• She studied under the tutelage Italian Sra.
Salvina Fornari and was discovered by
Emilio Jani who then was looking for an
artist to the part in Madame Butterfy.
• Her fame spread in Europe as she too the
opportunity to be part of different operas.

12
• One of the melodies of the opera
was Sampaguita (La Flor de Manila), a
popular melody of the period, which
was composed by Paterno’s
sister, Dolores. The libretto was also
translated into English as The Dream
Alliance by Col. Walter H. Loving,
founder of the Philippine Constabulary
Band.
Describe what you see in the video clip.
La Loba Negra is a subversive melodrama
based on the novel that greatly influenced
by Dr. Jose Rizal's ideals. Before the breaking
out of World War II, this novel was
discovered and appeared in “The Making of
a Nation”, a book by Father Burgos.
It showcases the pasyon in the introductory
part.
• La Loba Negra literally means “the black
she-wolf”. It is a Filipino Opera in three
acts. Its music is composed by 2014
National Artist Francisco Feliciano and its
libretto is written by Fides Cuyugan
Asensio, a renowned Soprano. It was first
staged in 1984. Acts I and II of this opera
are based on the history of the Philippines.
Act III is based on a story about Fr. Burgos
one of the three martyred priests.
 SONG TITLES CHARACTERS SCENES

“Makinig Kayo” Bustamante The Governor-general did not

give importance to the gifts
offered to him because these
could be used for corrupt
practices.

“Siya ba ang Fray Totanes Fray Totanes affirms that the

church has the prevailing
Magsasabi sa Akin?” power over the corrupt
practices.

“Huizilipochtli” Doña Luisa In the family room, she sings

this song about an Aztec God.

“Anong saklap nitong Torralba and Bustamante This duet is performed by the
two but with different
Pangyayari” emotions: Torralba having
self-reproach and Bustamante
being disgustful.

“Sa Haring Pari, O sa Chorus The choir sings this song in a

distance as the scene on
Paring Hari” Torralbas’ imprisonment ends.
• COMPOSER: FRANCISCO FELICIANO, National Artist
• LIBRETTO: FIDES CUYUGAN ASENSIO
• DIRECTOR/S: LAMBERTO AVELLANA (1984)
PEQUE GALLAGA & JOYCE LEDESMA (1985)
PRODUCTION DESIGN: DON ESCUDERO
COSTUME DESIGN: SALVADOR BERNAL, National Artist
LIGHTING DESIGN: DENNIS MARASIGAN
CHOREOGRAPHY: RENE C. HINOJALES
 SONG TITLES CHARACTERS SCENES

“Muerte, Muerte Para Priests The priests launch an all-

El Traidor Bustamante” out plan to assassinate
Bustamante.

“O Poong May Kapal Doña Luisa and After joining forces, the
Kayong mga Macatangay black she-wolf and the
rebel perform these songs
Namumuno as they continue to murder
the corrupt priests.
“Hindi na Malayo ang
Araw”
“Napakahaba ng gabi” Doña Luisa The black she-wolf sings
this song with positive
thoughts about the future
before she dies.

“Sulong, Mahal kong Chorus The choir sings this song

Kababayan” while the black she-wolf
contemplates of a bright
future.
 TIME / PERIOD WHEN
MOST WERE WRITTEN 20th CENTURY 19th century
VOICE TYPES/TRAINING BELTING OR CHEST VOICE Classically trained or
USED PRIMARILY operatic voice
LANGUAGE ENGLISH English, Italian, German,
French, etc
ACCOMPANIMENT PIANO, BAND OR orchestra
ORCHESTRA
PERFORMANCE CONCERT HALL, Concert hall
LOCATION OUTDOOR THEATER,
SCHOOL AUDITORIUM,
CHURCH
WHO PUTS ON BROADWAY PRODUCTION Opera companies ,
PRODUCTION COMPANIES, SCHOOL, professional singers
THEATER, COMMUNITY
THEATER
WAY TO DELIVER TEXT SPOKEN, SUNG Text is always sung (Aria)
CULTURAL POPULARITY VERY POPULAR IN Produced in large
AMERICA American cities, more
popular in Europe then
America.
GROUP ACTIVITY:
GROUP 1: When we listen to music, we definitely use
some kind of technology.
GROUP 2: Technology in music refers to a tool, device, or
any machine that a technology or musician use in his/her
performance. Examples of these are electronic musical
instruments, sound recorder, music software, and the like.
GROUP 3: Music listening has profoundly increased in the
20th century since the radio and phonographs had become
very popular in distributing music.
GROUP 4: Sound recording has paved way for the
development of popular music genres like rock music since
songs and bands are widely distributed.
NOLI ME TANGERE
THE OPERA
Game:

1.Divide the class into 5 groups

2. Each group shall have two sets of paper strips. One
set has dialogue of the characters of Noli Me Tangere
and the otherhas the names of the characters.
3.The group has to arrange them in order that each
dialogue is paired with the right character.
4.The group who finishes first correctly with a
rhythmic clap finishes the game.
ELEMENTS

• SCORE - It is the music for the entire show which is

composed of a number of songs
• DIALOGUE - The lines or passages in a script that are
intended to be spoken or sung.
• INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC - It is a type of music that
carries parallel themes in a musical play.
• LYRICS - The words of the songs.
 It is the first Filipino Opera composed in
the Western operatic tradition. The three-act
opera is based on the novel of the same title by
the Philippine nationalist and doctor Jose Rizal.
He was inspired by Uncle Tom’s Cabin to write
about the inequities in Filipino societies. It was
first staged in FEU in 1957 at the FEU
Auditorium.
• El Filibusterismo (The Reign of
Greed) is about the Unseen dark
force that is so powerful that it
controls even the characters’
trivial actions and choices, often
leading to nothing but tragic
endings. This unseen and
destructive force is greed.
The PHILIPPINE Musical Play
Prepared by MARIBEL M. DE LUNA
Theatrical Forms

It is a variety show with songs, comedy,

juggling, acrobats, and animal acts, but no
plot.
Vaudeville was a multi-act theatrical
entertainment which was very popular in
America in 1880 till about 1930’s.
 Theatrical Forms

LIFE A CABARET NEW YORK,NEW YORK

It is an art of entertainment with songs, comedy, dances

and drama. It is used for a wider type of performance and
place where the cabaret is held. Cabaret are performed in
a small place, small stage, and small band where the
audience and performers
are near to one another.
Musical Theater is a form of
theatrical performance that
combines acting, dance,
dialogue spoken and songs.
ATANG
ATANG
“Atang” - Dulang May Musika is a musical
based on the life of the first superstar of the
Philippines, Atang Dela Rama. Playwright -
Floy Quintos, Director - Alexander Cortez,
Music - Von De Guzman. Kitang Dalawa is a
poem of Amado Hernandez, the husband of
Atang which he dedicated to her. Von De
Guzman brought it to life with his music.
KATY:THE MUSICAL
KATY! THE MUSICAL
• Katy The Musical is a Filipino
biographical musical based on
the life of Filipino Vaudeville star
Katy de la Cruz who was
considered the “Queen of the
Philippine Vaudeville and Jazz”
and was produced by Celeste
Legaspi and Girlie Rodis.
ANDRES BONIFACIO:Ang Dakilang Anak Pawis
• In commemoration of the 150th birth anniversary
of Filipino national and revolutionary hero Andres
Bonifacio y de Castro. The Philippine Stagers
Foundation (PSF) presented its new musical play,
also known as Zarzuela or sarsuwela, “Bonifacio:
Isang Sarsuwela.”

• The main objective is to inspire the audience to

live a life of sacrifice.
• It is a musical by Jerry A. Dadap written in
1980. The Libretto is by Dionisio R. Salazar, a
Palanca award-winning playwright and
leading poet Rogelio G. Mangahas. It is
directed by Vincent M. Tañada.
FLORANTE AT LAURA
• Florante at Laura is the literary
masterpiece of Francisco Balagtas
considered by many as poetic art that
examines the nature of justice, truth and
commitment of fairness, made into a
theater production by award-winning and
respected playwright Bonifacio Ilagan,
with director Roeder Camañag presenting
it as a komedya.
MAGSIMULA KA

• The 1980 version of the

original Filipino musical,
Magsimula Ka, gave very fond
memories to its audience.
PLOT OF MAGSIMULA KA

• It is a story about four friends who have just

graduated from college. They are all excited to
embark on their respective dreams! One wants to
be a social worker (Monina), singer (Mandy), writer
(Mario) and composer (Miguel). Miguel who comes
from a wealthy family really wants to become a
musician but his father wants to manage their
business. He joins a songwriting contest with his
entry entitled Magsimula Ka!.
References:

• http://himig.com.ph/features/33-sangdugong-
panaguinip-the-first-tagalog-opera