IN THE LIMELIGHT

11/17/2007

Mariel Ilusorio and Juan Luis Muñoz in concert. On Nov. 29 at 7 p.m., world class pianist Mariel Ilusorio together with violinist-conductor Juan Luis Muñoz return to the Philippine concert stage, this time at St. Cecilia’s Hall of St. Scholastica’s College, presented by the Sr. Baptista Battig’s Music Foundation for the benefit of its music scholars.

Mariel has won various international competitions, including the grand prize in the Carlo Soliva Piano Competition in Italy. She earned her pre-college diploma in Julliard, her Bachelor of Music from Ohio’s Oberlin Conservatory of Music and her masteral and doctoral degrees in piano performance in Hannover’s State Academy in Germany.

Juan Luis Muñoz has been in South Africa for many years, playing a vital role in the country’s musical life. Born in Chile, he studied under Prof. Fernando Ansaldi and Prof. Sergio Prieto at the Catholic University of Santiago, Chile. He toured Chile, Argentina and Peru as soloist and concert master of the Mineduc orchestra and performed as concert master of Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra. He founded the Cape Town Baroque Ensemble of which he is the conductor.

The duo, described as “two highly accomplished artists in perfect harmony with their scores and with each other,” will enthrall Philippine audience with their program of Haydn, Abelardo, Mozart and Rachmaninoff’s 2nd Concerto as finale with Mariel as soloist and Juan Luis conducting the Manila Symphony Orchestra.

For more information, call 526-8080.

Maestro Wordsworth and the UST Conservatory choirs kick off Christmas season for PPO. Acclaimed British choral conductor Maestro David Wordsworth, together with the Coro Tomasino and the Liturgikon Vocal Ensemble from the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music, will unravel the Yuletide season for the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra’s fourth concert series on Dec. 7, 8 p.m., at the Folk Arts Theater.

The concert entitled “Messiah and the Christmas Carol Tradition” begins with the performance of Handel’s Messiah. Wordsworth, alongside the orchestra and the chorus, will present British Holiday carols such as Ralph Vaughan William’s “Fantasia on Christmas Carols”; Rutter’s “Candlelight Carol,” “What Sweeter Music” and “Shepherd’s Pipe Carol”; and Chilcott’s “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”

Specializing in piano, organ and conducting, David Wordsworth studied at the Leeds University, The City University, and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. While completing his studies, he taught at the Centre for Young Musicians, Morley College, London, and worked with a number of opera companies and choirs as both accompanist and conductor. In 1995, Wordsworth became the music director of the Addison Singers, who sang in the UK, France, Italy, Poland, Holland, Hungary and the USA. He was also appointed to the staff of Schott & Co, the German music publisher, in 1997 and later became a senior manager at the Oxford University Press, one of the world’s leading publishers of choral music. Some of the well-known composers who have dedicated works to Wordsworth are Gavin Bryars, Bob Chilcott, Kenneth Hesketh, Howard Skempton and William Bolcom.

Recently, Wordsworth made his debut with the acclaimed chamber choir The Guildford Camarata and will be recording a series of CD’s of choral music with the said group for Tocatta Records.

The CCP is inviting all school, church, government and company choirs to attend the concert and have the opportunity to sing the “Hallelujah” chorus in the grand finale.

Ticket prices are P350/500/700/900, with discounts for students, senior citizens and groups. For more information, call Lilia Casasola-Januare at the CCP Marketing Department through 832-1125 loc. 1806 or contact the CCP Box Office through 832-3704, Ticketworld at National Bookstore through 891-9999 for tickets. Visit the Ticketworld Web site at www.ticketworld.com.ph.

Aria Clemente keeps up winning streak. There is certainly no stopping 12-year old singer/actress Aria Clemente in making a name for herself in local show biz especially after winning over-all junior grand champion of the World at the World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) in Hollywood, USA last August. The talented young girl has since been besieged with television, recording, theater, product endorsement and corporate show projects.

Aria, for instance, is currently taping for ABS CBN’s upcoming comedy-serye Pare Koy, which stars veteran actors Dennis Padilla, Techie Agbayani, Zanjoe Marudo and John Pratts.

Aria also has waxed a single for Kris Aquino’s Love and Inspiration album, a fitting follow-up to certified platinum Songs of Healing album released some months ago. Produced and arranged by Ito Rapadas with vocal coaching by Carlo Orosa, Aria’s version of “Climb Every Mountain” offers a fresh attack to this classic piece. Apparently, Love and Inspiration album turned gold on its first week of release.

The young singing champ was also part of the successful Manila run of Off-Broadway hit musical Children’s Letters to God.

Moreover, Aria has been tapped to sign a multimedia co-management deal with Viva Entertainment, which is interested in honing her as the next TV, film, and recording star. Kids Bayo, Aria’s clothes sponsor, is also eyeing her for possible endorsement deals.

Aria and 2007 WCOPA grand champion Senior Vocalist of the World Reymond Sajor were main performers at the formal launch of the Philippines’ largest convention center, SM Group’s SMX Convention Center.

For more information on Aria, call Stages at 818-1111 loc. 225 or visit her Web site at http://ariaclemente.ph.tc.

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