NOLI ME TANGERE OPERA Manila Offers Student Tickets at PHP 500 Only

Manila, Philippines--José Rizal, who wrote the 1887 classic romantic novel "Noli Me Tángere" ("Touch Me Not"), which inspired the creation of 1957 opera of the same name--the country's first full-length grand opera--was a staunch advocate for education. For that same reason: educating and interacting with young Filipino students, international producers Loida Nicolas Lewis, Jerry Sibal, and Edwin Josue are staging the opera, which has already been seen in Chicago, New York City, and Washington, D.C., at Resorts World Manila's Newport Performing Arts Theater (Newport Boulevard, Newport City Pasay) from Friday, September 12, to Sunday, September 28.

Student tickets at PHP 500 ($11) each for Balcony Center, Balcony Left and Right, and Premiere B Left and Right sections are now available to purchase. Call (632) 634-1720 or visit ticketworld.com.ph.(Present current, valid student ID card.)

"Seeing the [full stage production of the] opera will enhance their [students'] love for the art, literature, and country. This is truly once in a lifetime because they may not see [composer] Felipe de Leon's 'Noli' opera again since the last time it was presented [in Manila] was 27 years ago, in 1987," said Lewis, a formidable philantropist based in New York City.*

Sung in Tagalog (supertitles in English are provided), NOLI ME TANGERE OPERA features music by National Artist Felipe de Leon and libretto by National Artist Guillermo Tolentino.

The musical presentation, an opera originally staged 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."

The long awaited return of the full stage production of the opera to Manila stars internationally acclaimed tenor Sal Malaki as Juan Crisostomo Ibarra (he also played the same role in New York City and Washington, D.C.); popular Filipino soprano Rachelle Gerodias as Maria Clara; Ivan Nery as Juan Crisostomo Ibarra; Myramae Meneses as Maria Clara; Greg de Leon as Elias; Eggo Velasco as Basilio; Mari Ferrer as Crispin; Antoni Mendezona as Sisa; Andrew Fernando as Padre Damaso; and Jonathan Velasco as Padre Damaso; among others. Freddie Santos directs the members of the cast, accompanied by the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of Rodel Colmenar.

Part of the proceeds will go to the preservation of the original copy of "Noli Me Tángere" in the National Library and scholarships for Filipino opera singers.

Besides the student tickets, theatergoers may also avail of two free tickets upon purchase of 10 group tickets from PHP 1,200 to PHP 3,700 each. Call (632) 634-1720 or visit ticketworld.com.ph.

BroadwayWorld.com is an online media partner of NOLI ME TANGERE OPERA Manila.

*A scaled-down version of the opera was staged by Dulaang UP at the University of the Philippines in 2011, 2012.

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