Ana in La Boheme
Posted By www.BoyAbunda.net on February 12, 2008
Young opera singer Ana Feleo is doubly excited about her forthcoming opera La Boheme where she plays the role of Musetta. “La Boheme is my first major role in a standard opera. After doing so many opera excerpts, Filipino operas, musicals and zarzuelas, I am given the chance to essay the lead role of Musetta. La Boheme is really one of the most popular operas of all time. I’m so lucky. Even abroad, nag-aagawan para makuha itong role na ito,” she says.
La Boheme is the story of the doomed love affair between Mimi, stricken with tuberculosis and the Bohemian Rodolfo. Encompassing romance, drama and unforgettable music, La Boheme has been called “the world’s most popular opera” by The New York Times, and is currently experiencing a flurry of traditional and new interpretations on Broadway and national opera stages.
Ana is in the process of preparing her role in La Boheme. “I am leaving for New York on March 15, precisely because I need to really prepare for the role. I need hardcore training. So I am seeing Stephen Smith from Juilliard School of Music. When I get home, I’ll be going through intensive workshops with my mom (director Laurice Guillen), along with the other cast members to make sure we are not only prepared vocally but in the acting department as well,” Ana says.
“Grabe, I am so driven and excited. La Boheme will be different. It’s not just for the elite. It’s about love, passion, life and truth. The story is about an imperfect person and a difficult life. But in the end, they stick together because their love for each other is deep. I hope many people watch this because the audience will be proud. Filipino classical singers are really good.”
Why is opera perceived as elitist? Ana surmises, “Because people think the higher classes are the only ones who can appreciate and understand it. The truth is, the Filipino audience is very intelligent and sensitive. They can easily empathize as long as the performance is truthful.”
So what is the state of opera in the country?
”It’s a struggling art form. The problem? There are not enough people exposed to this art form. It’s not as popular as other kinds of entertainment. There aren’t enough producers brave enough to produce operas because it is expensive. It’s a good thing Philippine Opera Company has an opera season. That’s the first ever in our country,” she explains.
To cope with the work demands, Ana takes care of her voice. “I stay away from smokers. I make sure I have at least eight hours of sleep daily. I don’t drink alcohol and I don’t smoke. I also drink lots and lots of water.”
Ana will also leave for Italy for further studies after the staging of La Boheme. She dreams of playing Carmen by Bizet and Rosina in Barber of Seville by Rossini.
Are there easy or hard roles when playing an opera? “I give the same effort for each role I get. I prepare very early so that I don’t get stressed out. The harder the role, the earlier I prepare.”
She counts her parents (Laurice and Johnny Delgado) as her greatest influences as an artist. “Being an opera singer is tough mentally, physically and emotionally. It really drains you. I always feel my effort is never enough. My parents have been examples of how important it is to respect and love one’s craft. The strength to carry on is drawn from that passion. My parents are my greatest influences.”
A co- production of the Philippine Opera Company and the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Giacomo Puccini’s La Boheme will be staged on Oct. 3, 4 and 5 at the CCP Main Theater. The 2008 production brings a talented young cast featuring Jennifer Uy, Maribel Miguel, Elaine Lee, Florence Aguilar, Seattle Opera based Gary del Rosario, Juan Alberto Gaerlan, Dondi Ong, Lawrence Jatayna, Emmanuelle Baang, Joseleo Logdat, John Ocampos, Jack Salud and Sherwin Sozon. Sharing the event is the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra. Acclaimed stage director Floy Quintos directs the modern opera to be sung in its original Italian language.
Tickets for 2008 LA BOHEME are P5,000, P4,000, P2,500, P2,000, P1,500, P1,000 and P500. For tickets, block sales and sponsorship, call Philippine Opera Company at 892-8786.
Source: DIRECTLINE By Boy Abunda
Published Wednesday, February 13, 2008
The Philippine Star
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