If you want to catch performances by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) but cannot go to the Cultural Center of the Philippines as they open the 2019-2020 concert season today, don’t worry. The Philippines’ premier orchestra is set to hold a free concert as their way of giving back to the people of Manila.
The PPO opens its 37th season as the country’s national orchestra on September 13, Friday at 8 PM with guest soloist Japanese pianist Noriko Ogawa under the baton of Maestro Yoshikazu Fukumura. The PPO’s new concert season celebrates the CCP’s 50th anniversary with the theme, “Gold: Classical Music Treasures”.
After today’s opening performance, the PPO is set to stage a free concert for the people of Manila to be held at the Kartilya ng Katipunan beside the historic Manila City Hall on September 27. The concert is part of the orchestra’s outreach program.
“If the people are not able to go to the CCP, the CCP will go to them. We will make music and the arts available to the people and to the world, since there are many Filipinos abroad,” said CCP President Arsenio “Nick” Lizaso at the press launch of the PPO concert season.
Lizaso also shared to media that they welcome invitations as part of their outreach program, even waiving regular fees. “We give back… (because) out of the taxes that you pay to the government, humuhusay ang pagtugtog ng Philharmonic,” revealed Lizaso in an ABSCBN interview.
The free concert in Manila is a project of the Manila Tourism and Cultural Affairs Bureau as a way of Manila city government to preserve the country’s arts and heritage, and to encourage the youth to pursue their passion in arts.
The PPO concert playdates are scheduled monthly:
* October 25 (viola player Rey Casey Conception)
* November 15 (Sora Ensemble of Japan)
* December 20 (percussionist Aimee De la Cruz)
* January 24, 2020 (bassoonist Adolfo Mendoza)
* February 14, 2020 (soprano Andion Fernandez)
* March 13, 2020 (rock star Ryu Goto, violinist)
* April 24, 2020 (cellist Ray Wang)
Other outreach concerts are scheduled in Aklan, Aurora, Bohol, Cagayan de Oro City, Cebu, Dumaguete City, Iloilo, Isabela, Legazpi City, Lingayen, Naga City, Pangasinan, Sorsogon, and Tuguegarao City.
After its establishment in 1973, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra has been actively performing world classical music and Filipino classic music in various prestigious halls and stages such as the Carnegie Hall in 2016.
The PPO has also been showcasing Filipino music in an annual Pasinaya, the multi-arts open house festival of Cultural Center of the Philippines.
With reports from Aurora Quadra-Balibay
WATCH this sneak peak of the PPO as they open their new season and SEND them cheers in the comments below!
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