Philippine Opera Company's "Harana" Sept 29-Oct 1, 2011

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Announcement from Philippine Opera Company

"Ang Bagong Harana"
Sept. 29-Oct. 1, 2011
Carlos Romulo Auditorium
RCBC Plaza Bldg., Makati City

For 2011 as a continuing commitment of Philippine Opera Company’s mission and vision, “Ang Bagong Harana” takes a newer and fresher version of immortal and classic Filipino songs that will be interpreted in “never before seen performances” by the country’s foremost artists in music.

A must-see production for every Filipino who wants to hear our very own music and also serve as a musical treat for foreigners who want to introduce themselves to Filipino music musical heritage.

What is Harana?
According to Wikipedia and jayars.tripod.com/harana.html, Harana, also known as Habanera Filipina, is a form of Philipipne lyrical song from the Spanish colonial period.  It was used as courtship serenades in the Mexican-Spanish tradition based on the Spanish Tango or Habanera rhythm.  While the Spanish version has a lively, seductive tempo; the Filipino version is romantic, lyrical and slow.

Filipino bachelors, accompanied by one or two companions, would bring along a guitar to serenade their ladies under starlit skies.  The lady and her kinsfolk would open the home's window as a polite gesture of appreciation until the set of harana songs were completed.

In the 1920s harana became more mainstream, popularized by performers such as Atang de la Rama, Jovita Fuentes, Conching Rosal, Sylvia La Torre and Ruben Tagalog.

Why harana?
"Today, the young generation may not even know harana's real essence as far as Filipino folk traditions are concerned. And that is the one singular reason why POC is reviving this beautiful Filipino culture," says Karla Gutierrez, POC artistic director.

In 2008, POC staged "Harana" as a vehicle to showcase the evolution of Philippine music through song and movement. Harana went on a tour of Amsterdam in 2009.

It embarked on a Philippine tour in 2010, covering the cities of Cebu, Roxas, Antique, Bohol, Palawan. Earlier this year, it toured Bacolod, Ormoc, Tacloban, and Samar.

Who's in this show?

Directed by Floy Quintos, "Ang Bagong Harana" will showcase the best of all the Filipino composers from different music genres: Nicanor Abelardo, Ryan Cayabyab, Willy Cruz, Francisco Santiago, Antonio Molina, Resti Umali, George Canseco, Ernani Cuenco, Levi Celerio, Jose Estrella, Constancio De Guzman and  Felipe de Leon, to name a few.

The show will feature Philippine opera and theater's celebrated singers: Karla Gutierrez, Aizel Prietos, Charley Magalit, Janine Santos, Marian Santiago, Lawrence Jatayna, Jack Salud, Nazer Salcedo, Marvin Gayramon, Al Gatmaitan, Floyd Tena and Jurgen Unterburg.

What makes “Ang Bagong Harana” different?

“Ang Bagong Harana” will integrate past, present, north, south, colonial, post-colonial experiences and put them into a revue where our whole souls will be the source of inspiration. The different suites shall mix old songs and new while talking about “who we are Filipinos” and where we have been.

For tickets, sponsorships and showbuyers, contact 0917-5272880 or 881-7163.  Tickets also available at TicketWorld (891-9999 or www.ticketworld.com.ph).

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