New York ‘Noli’ has Andrew Fernando as Padre Damaso

By PABLO A. TARIMAN

DISTINGUISHED Filipino baritone Andrew Fernando takes his first crack as Padre Damaso in the Felipe Padilla de Leon opera, “Noli Me Tangere” in New York on October 4, 5, 6 at the Kaye Playhouse of Hunter College in New York.

Last heard as Germont in La Traviata, Sharpless in Madama Butterfly and as Don Basilio in the CCP staging of “Barber of Seville,” Fernando admits the part is only his second role in a Filipino opera. “This is my first time to be in a full production of the opera. I have sung Elias’ aria from the same opera whenever I can but never as a role on stage. My first role in a Filipino opera was in ‘Aba! Sto Nino!’ of Father Manuel Maramba at the CCP in 1993.”

Fernando’s character — who is one of the most hated characters in Rizal’s “Noli Me Tangere” next to Dona Victorina – was the same one that caused the conviction of tourist guide Carlos Celdran “for offending religious feelings.”

On September 30, 2010, Celdran carried a placard bearing the word “Damaso” during a mass at the Manila Cathedral denouncing the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines which was against the legislation of the Reproductive Health Bill.

“I find the part of Padre Damaso an exciting role. The journey in learning his music and his character has been truly amazing. Both are dramatically and musically challenging. The different nuances of the role are indeed worth exploring. The deeply hated character is a joy and pride to portray,” Fernando says of his ‘controversial’ role.

The baritone adds that he is fast coming to terms with the “evil” nature of the character. “In the acting part, the evil nature of Padre Damaso masked by his vocation as a friar is something to be carefully and intelligently portrayed. I don’t want to be the snarling and barking Damaso in the opera. I also want a character who thinks that his agendas are for the good of all and for the sake of righteousness. On the other hand, the vocal range of Padre Damaso is wide and thick. Keeping the heft — and at times warm — is a color I need to bring out in singing my part.”

Fernando got the part early this year, when he was approached by pianist Rene Dalandan who asked him if he would be interested in auditioning for the role of Padre Damaso. “I first suggested if they would consider me for the role of Elias. But they see me as someone who can be successful in portraying Damaso. So I sent a video of me singing the confession aria and weeks later, I got a call from Prof. Michael Dadap offering me the part.”

The New York production of Noli Me Tangere is presented by the Foundation for Filipino Artists, Inc which is observing its 25th anniversary celebration.

Its chairperson, Loida Nicolas Lewis, said she first saw a performance of Felipe Padilla de Leon’s “Noli Me Tangere,” performed by a diverse cast at Harris Theater at Millennium Park in Chicago in June last year. “That rare musical experience has prompted me to bring Maestro de Leon’s opus to New York,” she said.

Singing Maria Clara is soprano Antoni Mendezona, a Spanish-Filipina coloratura with Maria Christina Navarro as Sisa while the role of Juan Crisostomo Ibarra is played by tenor Sal Malaki who appeared in the concert observing the 152nd birthday of Jose Rizal in Schaffhausen, Switzerland which the Filipino hero visited in 1887.

The opera will be accompanied by an orchestral ensemble under the baton of Michael Dadap who is also a classical guitarist married to Yo Cheng Ma, sister of cello icon Yo Yo Ma.

Meanwhile, the pre-opening night rehearsals are thus far long but fruitful.

“We are accomplishing a lot. Together we aim to present Noli in New York in the truest form. But we also want to stamp the authenticity of this particular company’s views of the opera,” Fernando says.

Fernando enumerates why the New York “Noli” is a must see even those who have seen it presented by other companies” “Our director, May Pamana, contributes her fresh ideas to enhance the beauty of the opera. Rene Dalandan who co-directs the staging and music reinforces the traditions of our culture in the time of Noli and our country during the Spanish rule. Jerry Sibal, our dear costume and set designer has created beautiful art in what we will be wearing in the opera and the atmosphere of the stage is truly something wonderful.”

He assures everyone: “I have no doubt in my mind that conductor Dadap will bring out the beauty of the music of this Filipino masterpiece.”