Theater review: The small rings big at 'Noli Me Tangere: The Opera'

Dulaang UP's "Noli Me Tangere: The Opera"—composed by National Artist Felipe Padilla de Leon with a libretto by Guillermo Tolentino—may have been an opera about one of the biggest literary works in our history, but in its return engagement last July 27, it was the small things that really stole the show. 

 

This was apparent as soon as the curtains were drawn to reveal the Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero’s theater’s small stage as a stylized 19th century Philippines and brought to life by geometrically arranged bamboo poles—the vision of the production designer, Gino Gonzales.

 

But the genius of the set design wasn’t just in its visual appeal but in its utility—it was easily taken apart, moved around, and sometimes disassembled for props as the story moved from Kapitan Tiago’s mansion, to the San Diego graveyard, to Ibarra’s schoolhouse, to the forest where Sisa meets her death. 

 

Even more than that, the material itself—bamboo—served to underscore throughout the play the crucial piece of advice given by Pilosopo Tasyo to the young Ibarra which the latter chose not to heed: make like a bamboo plant and bend with the storm.  

The small orchestra was also put to good use—with only a piano and a flute. Musical director Camille Lopez-Molina managed to bring a kind of homegrown grandeur to the music, particularly in the latter half of the play.

 

Antonio Ferrer carried the weighty role of Crisostomo Ibarra with commendable grace, but his performance stumbled more than it ought to. Ferrer’s acting was tepid at best and, sadly, awkward in key scenes, and his voice, while a pleasure to listen to on its own, lacked the all-important quality of power.  

 

That said, his stage chemistry with Myramae Meneses as Maria Clara was believable, and gave the audience a couple to root for. Meneses as Maria Clara put-on coyness and charm may have gone overboard, but was anchored by the strength and command of her voice. 

 

Jonathan Velasco as Padre Damaso and Pablo Molina as Kapitan Tiago gave fair performances, but were not as stunning or impressive as they should have been, considering their pivotal roles in telling the story.

 

In fact, it was the littlest voices and the smaller roles that proved to be the biggest stars of the night.

 

For instance, Tanya Corcuera was delightful as the pretentious Doña Victorina—her exaggerated movements and commitment to the character made the most of what little stage time she had, while her resonant voice tickled the ears of the audience into sweet submission.

 

At the same time, Frederick Hipol’s portrayal of Elias struck the show with an element of hunger, his smooth, echoing voice and heaving silences bringing to life his character’s burning appetite for freedom. 

 

Jean Judith Javier as Sisa was nothing short of phenomenal. While her portrayal of the legendary crazy woman verged on stereotypical at the start of the play, it soon evolved into a layered portrayal characterized not only by the telling demented smile on Javier’s face, but more so by the passionate aria that half the time featured Javier imitating birdsong with her voice in pitch perfect precision.

 

Sisa’s death is perhaps the most poignant and powerful moment in the play, attributed not only to her hypnotizing final song, but also because of the aria by the young Matthew Anenias, who plays Sisa’s surviving son, Basilio.   

Anenias displayed a capability for emotion beyond his nine years, moving a previously underwhelmed audience to tears as his voice, clear and rose and fell as he sang to his dead mother.

 

With his performance in that short scene, Anenias stepped in to do what the main characters were not able to, bringing the tragedy of “Noli” to the hearts of the viewers, and proving an old adage true: that the best things come in small packages, especially in the case of this opera. –KG, GMA News

 

Dulaang UP’s “Noli Me Tangere: The Opera” runs at the Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater, Palma Hall, UP Diliman until August 12. For ticket inquiries, contact the Dulaang UP Office at (02) 926-1349, 981-8500 local 2449, or 433-7840.