Fil-Am tenor Sal Malaki performs at benefit concerts in Switzerland

Sal Malaki, a Filipino-American tenor, performed at benefit concerts in Berne and Aarburg, Switzerland from July 5 to 6 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Philippine-Swiss relations.   Malaki performed with Dr. Charito Pizarro, a seasoned Filipino pianist, during the concert with the theme of “Dr. Jose Rizal: Philippine Hero in Quest of Swiss hero, William Tell,” according to a news release of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).   The concert was conceived as a tribute to legendary Swiss hero Wilhelm Tell, an inspiration of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal.   According to the DFA, the concert pieces show the Filipinos’ struggle for freedom in various periods of the Philippines’ history.   “Rizal's role in the development of Philippine national consciousness and in the gradual articulation of Filipinos' basic desires ‘was clearly reflected in each of the selected songs,’” the DFA said.   The proceeds of the concert will benefit the House of the Good Samaritan in Cebu City, a home for street children where music education is taught.   Malaki is the only Fil-Am to become a member of the Los Angeles Opera Company.   He is also mentored by Maestro Grant Gershon as a member of the LA Master chorale, according to his profile posted on the website of the Philippine Embassy in Berne.   Aside from performing in every opera masterpiece and over a hundred operas, Malaki’s career highlight was winning a Grammy Award of the LA production of Kurt Weill’s “The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahogany.”   Meanwhile, Pizarro started her career at the age of 13 when she was adjudged an artist diploma caliber by the piano jury at the University of the Philippines during auditions.   She has performed in numerous countries such as Singapore, Japan, London and Stuttgart to name a few. - with Andrei Medina, VVP, GMA News