Meet the Full Cast of NOLI ME TANGERE, THE OPERA 60th-Anniversary Production

Manila, Philippines--The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and J&S Productions Inc., in cooperation with Ayala Foundation, have announced the full cast for the 60th-anniversary production of the Philippines' first full-length opera, Noli Me Tangere, an opera by National Artists Felipe de Leon and Guillermo Tolentino, directed by Jerry Sibal, featuring the newly formed 53-piece Noli Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Herminigildo Ranera.

The 60th-anniversary production of Noli Me Tangere, The Opera is chaired by philanthropist Mercedes Zobel.

Renowned tenor Ronan Ferrer in the role of Crisostomo Ibarra will lead the cast, together with Bianca Camille Lopez (Maria Clara), Stephanie Anne Aguilar (Sisa), John-Andrew Fernandez (Padre Damaso), Greg de Leon (Elias), Mari Yapjoco (Basilio), and Santino Juan Santiago (Crispin).

The cast also includes Nomer Nival, Resty Yongco, Aretha Angcao, Jade Rubis Riccio, Nerissa De Juan, Mary Louise Alcantara, Irene Quiso-Ednave, Charina Althea Balmores, Rachelle Jasmine Balunes, Elisanta Gregorio Cortes, Mecho Joy Manlangit, Thea Perez, Katrine Jamar Sunga, Jillbert Chua, Ronnie Abarquez, Jan Briane Astom, Eugene de los Santos, Erwin Dimaculangan, Harold Nikko Forton, Paul Dominique Galvez, Allison Rose Cervantes, Anne Abigail Garza, Jane Florence Wee, Ruzzel Adrian Clemeno, Renz Nathaniel Cruz, Radnel Ofalsa, Octwen Jade Cabilan, Rare Jireh Columna, Ivette Vanerrie Salas, Courtney Gomley, Marianne Maxielom, Claudine Nitura, Grace Pedrocillo. Larian Villamarin, Francisco de Guzman Jr., Nestor Estoque, Thomas Julian Hollon, Matthew Vallo, Earl Cristobal, Mark Anthony Cruz, Frederick Maturan, and Inno Angelo Montellano.

Based on Dr. Jose Rizal's 1887 classic novel of the same name, Noli Me Tangere, The Opera, premiered at the Far Eastern University in 1957 and made its CCP debut in 1974. This production, which recently had critically-acclaimed engagements in New York, Washington D.C., and at the Resorts World Manila, will feature more than 200 opera singers, musicians, and crew, 16 scene changes, a brand-new staging, and new sets and costumes.

Noli Me Tangere, The Opera 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.

Meet the Cast

Ronan Ferrer (Crisostomo Ibarra) is one of the Philippines' best tenors, eliciting rave reviews and ovations from critics and audiences alike. He is described as "a tenor with a beautiful voice" (Ongaku no tomo, a Japanese national music magazine), "a tenor with a resonantly rich voice that effortlessly reaches out to his audience" (Manila Times), and "a new star in the classical music firmament" (Philippine Star). Ferrer obtained his Bachelor of Music in Voice degree from the UST Conservatory of Music under the tutelage of renowned Philippine soprano and pedagogue Prof. Irma P.E. Potenciano, and his Master of Music in Voice Performance degree from the Elisabeth University of Music in Hiroshima, Japan. He has also attended the International School for Singers in West Sussex, United Kingdom. He is the appointed Coordinator of the Vocal Performance Department of the UST Conservatory of Music from 2010-present.

Bianca Camille Lopez (Maria Clara) holds a diploma in creative and performing musical arts major in Voice from the University of the Philippines College of Music under Prof. Cecilia Valena. She was a member of the Philippine Madrigal Singers (Madz) for nine years starting in 2007 when they won the European Grand Prix in Arezzo, Italy until August 2015. To date, she has done numerous concerts with the Madz throughout Europe, North and South America, Asia, and the Philippines. She played the title role in Antonin Dvorak's Rusalka at the CCP and at the Abelardo Hall of the UP College of Music in 2014. She also played Paz, the wife of Juan Luna, in "Spoliarium," an opera in three acts with libretto by Fides Cuyugan Asencio, music by Ryan Cayabyab, and direction by Anton Juan at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center in Manhattan, New York. In 2015, Lopez launched her classical-pop crossover duo called The Nightingales at the Theater at Solaire. After her Canadian and US concert tour with the Nightingales, she held her first major concert at the CCP in 2016.

Stephanie Anne Aguilar (Sisa) is a student at the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music, pursuing a Music Degree in Voice Performance. She was under the tutelage of soprano Rachelle Gerodias and is currently being mentored by tenor Lemuel Dela Cruz. She is also a scholar of entrepreneur-tenor George Yang's Klassikal Music Foundation. Aguilar was a prize winner at the 2014 National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA); she was also a prize winner at the 2012 Jovita Fuentes Vocal Competition, and bagged the First Place at the 2016 University of Santo Tomas Voice Competition. She represented the Philippines at the 9th Seoul International Music Competition-vocal category held in Seoul, Korea. She has appeared in operas The Medium, Noli Me Tangere, La Boheme, Carmen, Fidelio, and Cavelleria Rusticana.

John-Andrew Fernandez (Padre Damaso) is an exciting, young singer, whose colorful voice, athletic stage presence, and artistic performances are garnering acclaim from critics and audiences alike. In 2016/17, Fernandez performs Dr. Falke in Die Fledermaus with Geneva Light Opera; Faiz in Kamala Sankaram's Thumbprint with Opera Ithaca; Padre Damaso in Felipe de Leon's Noli Me Tangere in Manila; the baritone solos in Schubert's Mass in G with Philomusica Orchestra, and Saint-Saens' Christmas Oratorio with St. Paul's Festival Chorus, among others. He won the Philadelphia Orchestra's 2009 Greenfield Competition, First Place at the NJ National Association of Teachers of Singing Competition in 2006, and First Place at the Westminster Voice Awards, Graduate Division, in 2005.

Mari Yapjoco (Basilio) recently starred as Fred's son in "A Christmas Carol," produced by 9 Works Theatrical and Globe Live. His other theater credits include "Aladdin," "Jesus Christ Superstar," "King and I," "Noli Me Tangere, the Opera," and "South Pacific" concert (Resorts World Manila), and "Hansel and Gretel" (Repertory Philippines).

Santino Juan Santiago (Crispin) is a Grade 2 student who has received a full scholarship at Saint John The Baptist Catholic School in San Juan, Manila. He was the class valedictorian during prep school; he was an honor student in Grade 1. Besides his recent academic achievements, he is also actively participating in various school activities such as storytelling contests and math quiz bees, where he won the top prize. As a theater actor, Santiago's professional theater debut was in the Aliw Awards' Best Musical Play of 2016 "Katips: Mga Bagong Katipunero," produced by Philippine Stagers Foundation. Besides acting on stage, he also sings, dances, and plays the keyboard, which thrilled the audience when he joined the recurring "SM Little Stars" talent contest. He recently starred in the Christmas video, "Kiko, Story of the First Parol," produced by PropertyAsia.ph.

For special ticket deals and discounts to the 60th-anniversary production of Noli Me Tangere, The Opera, contact J&S Productions Inc. (0926) 038 0548, (0921) 890 3816, (632) 998 2356, or the CCP Box Office (632) 832 3704/06, or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph.

Primary media partner is ABS-CBN. Other media partners include Crossover 105.1 Business Mirror, Manila Bulletin, Jamtrx Multi-Media Productions, Manila Broadcasting Company, ClickTheCity.com, WhenInManila.com, WhatsHappening.com.ph, and UniquelyPinoy.com.

For more information, visit NoliMeTangereTheOpera.com or Facebook.com/NoliOperaManila.

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