BY JULLIE Y. DAZA
MEDIUM RARE
If music is poetry with sound, thank God for its language that speaks to the soul. Musicians are not necessarily emotional people, they just know how to demonstrate their feelings through music.
What is expression but letting go, whether as a sigh, whisper, oration, a plea or prayer.
The audience experienced a triple dose of feelings and emotions when they attended a one-night-only concert featuring tenor Arthur Espiritu, soprano Jade Riccio, and virtuoso pianist Mariel Ilusorio at Miranila Heritage House last April 2, Wednesday. Three in one, a triple treat.
Arthur has been all over the world, throughout Asia, America, Europe. As a tenor, he is good-looking, he’s not fat and he has expressive eyes and a seemingly natural ability to communicate with his audience as soon as he steps on stage. Quoting the souvenir program, he was born in Morong, Rizal.
Arthur’s repertoire included operatic arias and love songs, but it was “All I Ask of You” from Phantom of the Opera, that the crowd applauded with verve and bravura. When I turned my head, I saw former Senate president Frank Drilon applauding enthusiastically, with his wife Mila beside him. Frank is just about the only recognizable government official, then as now, who attends concerts. Among the first ladies, there was the late Ming Ramos and there’s Imelda Marcos, who has a VIP box at CCP, her creation.
Sharing the spotlight with Arthur Espiritu was soprano Jade Riccio, who’s Italian-Filipino, who’s been collecting awards and prizes (including Aliw Awards 2024 Hall of Fame) and music students. Her music academy boasts 400 international students.
On piano, Mariel Ilusorio, who teaches music in a number of universities, accompanied Arthur and Jade in each of their solo performances, her piano acting like an orchestra of 60 musicians. In addition, Mariel introduced each of the singers’ repertoire to their audience, providing text and context.
I rather like Miranila as a venue for concerts. As a heritage house and library, it exudes a feeling of intimacy, nothing grand but quite cozy. The trees are old, lanterns hanging from them conveying an old-fashioned vibe. As long as it has been taking Cultural Center to be done with its restoration, smaller theaters like Miranila and Samsung are as necessary as oxygen.
