Mapeh

• 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 throughout the rest of Europe.
• Opera

  An art and musical form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text (called libretto) and a musical score, usually in an elaborate theatrical setting
• The emergence of the Filipino opera started 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.
• Some operatic works were based on previous literary creations, such as Rizal's Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.
• The first Filipino opera


  Sandugong Panaginip by Pedro Paterno, a poet, novelist, musician, and government official. This was first presented at the Zorrilla Theater on August 2, 1902.
• La Loba Negra

  A three-act Filipino opera. Acts I and II are based on history. Act III is based on a legend attributed to Fr. Jose Burgos, one of the three martyred priests, Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora who were executed in Bagumbayan (now Luneta) in 1872.
• The music of La Loba Negra was composed by National Artist Francisco Feliciano, with libretto by soprano Fides Cuyugan Asensio.
• The premiere of La Loba Negra was presented by the Cultural Center of the Philippines in cooperation with the Asian Institute for Liturgy and Music at the CCP Main Theater from August 16 to 25, 1984 with Lamberto Avellana as director.
• Ballet has been used to interpret stories of all kinds by allowing the characters to come alive, not in spoken dialogue, but in body movements or pantomime.
• Original Filipino ballets vividly present folktales and local fables, as well as epics from neighboring regions, such as India's Ramayana.
• Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang


  A ballet adaptation of Severino Reyes' folktales Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang, meant to instill and rekindle the interest of the Filipino youth in the beauty, richness, and values found in Philippine literature.
• Stories featured in Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang

  • Ang Kapatid ng Tatlong Marya
  • Ang Mahiwagang Biyulin
  • Ang Prinsipe ng Mga ibon
• Stories featured in Tatlo Pang Kuwento ni Lola Basyang

  • Ang Palasyo ng Mga Dwende
  • Labindalawang Masasayang Prinsesa
  • Anting-Anting
• Rama Hari is the Philippine adaptation of the Indian epic Ramayana set to music, dance, and drama.
• Ramayana


  One of the two great Indian epics that tell about Indian life around 1000 BC and how dharma was practiced. Dharma is a type of behavior said to be in accordance with the order that makes life and the universe possible.
• Story of Rama Hari

  1. Prince Rama, the eldest son of Dasaratha, King of Ayodha, is in line to the throne after his father decides to retire

  2. His stepmother's intervention prevents this succession, as she wants her own son Bharata to ascend the throne

  3. Despite the king's pleadings, she opts to have Rama banished to the forest for 14 years

  4. Rama heeds his stepmother's wish and moves to the woods of Panchavati, accompanied by his wife Sita and younger brother Lakshmana

  5. Bharata seeks out Rama in the forest and pleads with him to return and take his rightful position as king, but Rama refuses, citing his father's command and his stepmother's wish
• Rama


  Considered the incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu, in line to the throne after his father decides to retire
• Rama's stepmother intervenes


  Prevents Rama's succession, relies on the king's promise to grant her two wishes, wants her own son Bharata to ascend the throne
• Despite the king's pleadings

  Rama is banished to the forest for 14 years
• Without hesitation and in keeping with the dharma, Rama heeds his stepmother's wish and moves to the woods of Panchavati
• Rama is accompanied by his wife Sita and younger brother Lakshmana, who both insist on going with him
• When Bharata learns about what has happened to Rama


  He laments what his mother has done, seeks out Rama in the forest and pleads with him to return and take his rightful position as king
• Rama refuses, citing his father's command and his stepmother's wish
• As an alternative


  Bharata requests to bring Rama's sandals to be placed on the king's throne as a symbol of his authority until he would return after 14 years
• During the time Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana spend in the forest


  They come across Ravana, the ten-headed ruler of Lanka and one of the forest's evil creatures, who abducts Sita and forces her to marry him
• After some mighty battles

  Rama is able to kill Ravana and rescue Sita
• In keeping again with the dharma and to set a good example, Rama demands that Sita first prove her purity before he can take her back as his wife
• Sita does so, they eventually return to Ayodha and Rama becomes king
• The major characters Rama, Sita, and Bharata all provide good examples following the dharma, making the Ramayana a national symbol of the divine virtues from which India's great leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi, have drawn their inspiration
• A revival production of Rama Hari was presented at the Cultural Center of the Philippines from November 30 to December 9, 2012 based on the 1980 version of the same production
• Rama Hari


  Pop ballet musical
• Conducting the Manila Symphony Orchestra was Jeffrey Solares
• Rama Hari production


  • Jeweled costumes with richly embellished headdresses and bangles
  • Predominantly red-colored costumes of the principal characters enhanced by the contrasting white flowing attire of the dancers
  • Minimalist set backdrop
• A related production entitled Rama at Sita was presented at the University of the Philippines with Ariel Rivera portraying the role of Rama and Lani Misalucha interpreting Sita, directed by Floy Quintos with choreography by Agnes Locsin
• Lea Salonga


  International theater star from the Philippines
• Lea Salonga


  • Best known for portrayal of Kim in musical Miss Saigon
  • Won Tony Award, Laurence Olivier Award, Drama Desk Award, and Outer Critics Circle Award for this role
  • First Filipina to win so many international awards for a single role
• Lea Salonga


  • First Asian to play the role of Eponine in musical Les Misérables
  • Later returned to play the role of Fantine in the same musical
  • Also portrayed Mei-Li in 2002 Broadway revival of Flower Drum Song
• Les Misérables


  • Perhaps the most famous of all French musicals and one of the most well-loved musicals performed worldwide
  • Tells the story of paroled convict Jean Valjean and other characters including police inspector Javert, Fantine, Marius, Eponine, the Thénardiers, and Enjolras and other students
• Les Misérables musical


  1. Opened in Paris in 1980

  2. First English production opened in London in 1985

  3. Broadway production opened in 1987 and ran until 2003