PHOTOS: First Look at the Opening Night of NOLI ME TANGERE-OPERA

New York, October 5, 2013--Philippine National Artists Felipe Padilla de Leon and Guillermo Tolentino's 1957 opera NOLI ME TANGERE made its New York stage debut last night at The Kaye Playhouse in Hunter College (68th Street and Lexington Avenue).

BroadwayWorld.com was there; and we took the photos below.

Sung in Tagalog (supertitles in English are provided), NOLI ME TANGERE-OPERA (Touch Me Not) was based on the 1887 classic romantic novel by the Philippines' National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal.

The musical presentation, an opera in Three Acts, follows the story of Juan Crisostomo Ibarra who returns to the Philippines after pursuing scholarly studies in Europe. He plans to open up a school and marry Maria Clara, his betrothed. However, parish priest Padre Damaso, the archenemy of the Ibarras, is out to hinder Crisostomo's plans, which creates "a dramatic storyline of forbidden love, betrayal and revenge."

NOLI ME TANGERE-OPERA stars world renowned Filipino opera singers Sal Malaki (Juan Crisostomo Ibarra), Antoni Mendezona (Maria Clara), Andrew Fernando (Padre Damaso), Roberto Perlas Gomez (Elias) and Maria Christina Navarro (Sisa), and young singer Kirby Asunto (Basilio). It also features a diverse ensemble cast: Brad Arreglado, Jonathan Estabrooks, Rosemarie Flores, May Hackett, William Lim, Brittany Palmer, Allan Samonte, Rina Saporantos, Elijah Sirilan, Zion Sirilan, Ulises Solano, Sherwin Su, Lisa Villamaria and Resty Yongco.

The show's artistic and production teams include Michael Dadap (artistic musical direction), May Pamana (direction), Rene Dalandan (assistant stage direction), Kristin Jackson (choreography), Jeff Davis (lighting design), Executive Producer Jerry Sibal (set and costume design), Natalie Qing Zhang (stage management) and Clare Chujie Xu (assistant stage management).

The Foundation for Filipino Artists Inc., together with executive committee members Loida Nicolas Lewis, Aida Bartolome, Jerry Sibal, Michael Dadap, Dr. Angie Cruz, Edwin Josue and Robert Perlstein, presents NOLI ME TANGERE-OPERA.

The production runs until Sunday, October 6. For last-minute tickets, call 646-415-1853.

Photos by Oliver Oliveros