Opera in the Philippines

• The emergence of Filipino opera started to take place during the middle part of the 19th century. Foreign performers, including instrumental virtuosi, as well as opera singers and Spanish zarzuela performers came to the country to perform for enthusiastic audiences.
• The opera is an art and music form in which singers perform a dramatic work combining text (libretto) and a musical score, usually in an elaborate theatrical setting. It incorporates many of the elements of spoken theater, such as acting, scenery, costumes, and sometimes includes dance.
• The performance is typically given in an opera house, cultural center, theater, or auditorium. It is accompanied by an orchestra or smaller musical ensemble. The dialogue is entirely sung and not spoken.
• Opera is part of the Western Classical music form and tradition. It started in Italy at the end of the 16th century and soon spread through the rest of Europe. While English, French, and Italian operas were being presented, it was Italian opera that captured the creative imagination of composers, librettists, and singer alike.
• Examples of places: Zorilla Theater and Manila Grand Opera House
• As locals were being exposed to Western art and music, they were also realizing their inner talents and passion for the opera. The themes were ripe for voicing their own sentiments about love of country and longing for independence from colonial rule,
• The element of tragedy, emanating from popular themes of romance, deceit, murder, vendetta, and other elements of human frailty, became a favorite story pattern of the Filipino opera. Some operatic works were based on previous literary creations, such as Rizal's Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. The tragic endings and unresolved conflicts made them excellent choices for an operatic production.