Cecile Licad’s solo outreach concerts in  Holy Angel University (Angeles City – March 22), Island Cove in Kawit, Cavite (March 24) and Marco Polo Plaza Hotel in Cebu City (March 27) all ended up in multiple standing ovations, a clear sign of  how well she moved her provincial audiences.



            But if the Angeles City  and Cebu concerts were the most well-attended and the most organized, the one in Island Cove in Kawit, Cavite was the most dramatic.

            Licad was all praises for the venue, La Covia Hall and so did Ray Sison of ROS Music Center who provided a Bosendorfer  grand piano coming all the way from Manila.

            After Licad’s early afternoon rehearsal, concert secretariat and piano movers  took a late lunch break only to find out there was thick billows of smoke emanating from the theater. The hall was declared not fit to be used and so the venue was moved to the nearby ballroom.



            The pianist was shocked to find out the venue she rehearsed in a few hours earlier could no longer be used.

            But as the saying goes, the show must go on.



            Licad -- probably to sooth a tense and nervous audience (not to mention the organizers), --  gave everything she had in that performance.  The opener – Chopin’s Polonaise Fantasie in A flat major, Op. 61 – drew thunderous applause and the first-part closing number – Chopin’s Andante Spianato and Grand Polonaise Brillante, Op. 22 – received hysterical audience reactions.

            The pianist was also at her best in Liszt’s Dante Sonata (properly known as Après une Lecture de Dante: Fantasia quasi Sonata).

            In the first part  (D minor) of the Liszt opus,  Licad put her audience into complete trance as her sounds depicted the wailing souls in Hell. There was heavenly relief in the last part (a beatific chorale in F-sharp  major) as Licad intoned the sounds of joy of those heaven-bound.

            Of the three provinces she performed in, the Cavite performance eclipsed everything that transpired in Pampanga and Cebu. She displayed total control of her instrument and plunged deep into the emotional demands of the piece.

            The result was a standing ovation led by Ms. Nedy Tantoco and friends,  Irene M. Araneta, Ester Vibal and company. The prolonged applause yielded five encores.

            Licad CDs promptly banished and  suddenly there was big demand for the book, “My Daughter Cecile” by Rosario Buencamino Licad as souvenir for that magical performance.



            But after the autograph signing , book signing and and picture taking with the artist, another scene stole the show from the concert: the fire -- earlier declared as contained--  actually became a huge ball of fire threatening the parked cars of concert-goers.

            There was mad rush for the Island Cove exit  and still frantic efforts to save the Bosendorfer piano.

            `”I hope nobody says I caused that fire because of my rendition of Liszt’s Dante sonata,” said Licad who took the car of  Ms.  Nedy Tantoco on her way out.

(For inquiries on the book, “My Daughter Cecile” by Rosario Buencamino Licad, please call (02) 7484152 or 09065104270. Free delivery in Metro Manila.)

---

Here and There

 One of the world’s  world’s most successful and popular musical, and the longest-running show on Broadway – Thge Phantomof the Opera -- will be staged in Manila for a strictly limited season from August 25 to October 14, 2012 at the CCP Main Theatre.  Tickets go on sale March 19.

 

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s critically acclaimed masterpiece celebrated its 25th anniversary on the West End stage last year, and continues to play to full houses nightly in London, New York and around the world.  The Webber Broadway opus has been seen by over 130 million people worldwide, in more than 27 countries, has won over 50 major theatre awards, and has grossed more than US$5.6 billion.

With 130 cast, crew and orchestra members, jaw-dropping scenery, breathtaking special effects and more than 230 costumes by international designer, the late Maria Björnson, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA contains some of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most famous and stirring music, including “The Phantom of the Opera” and “Music of the Night”. 

Call 8919999 for ticket inquiry

 

 

Munting Nayon News Magazine