Robert Seña, Bo Cerrudo, to take the stage in ‘Valentine Serenades’ concert

When you put a classical balladeer and a musical theater artist together onstage, you can be sure it won't be a usual concert you'll see.

 

"This concert features a fusion of musical theater and concertizing. It's not just a basic concert or basic musical theater, we put them all together since, me and Robert [Seña] have been through concerts and musicals for more than two decades already," said classical balladeer Bo Cerrudo.

 

He and veteran performer Robert top-bill “Valentine Serenades” at the Grand Ballroom of Solaire Resort and Casino in Pasay City this February 13. 

 

"It's about time we do something like this, something different. Of course, you'll put in classical love songs—songs that have been part of so many people's lives from ages 1 to 92, and different languages, as well for upscale markets," he added.

 

The show follows their friendship to courting the ladies up to their married life. The duo will be performing an estimate of 25 to 30 songs, including mashups, solos, and duets from classical ballad to musical theater to kundimans to Original Pilipino Music (OPM).

 

"Somehow it's a different concept. It's a combination of Bimbo's [Bo] high baritone voice and my tenor voice. So, it's a different sound [because] it's not the usual sound that you hear in usual concerts," Robert affirmed.

 

"Also, we'll do a lot of love songs, serenading, and different languanges and genres. Of course, standards and musical theater, a little bit of kundiman, some OPM songs as well, and it [the show] has a story, there's a plot," he added.

 

The show is written by Bibeth Otreza and directed by Maestro Rodel Colmenar. Aicelle Santos and Rafa Siguian-Reyna will also perform in the concert as guests. Meanwhile, siblings Richard Merk and Rachel Anne Wolfe will serve as the opening act.

 

The collaboration and the younger audience

 

"Valentine Serenades" blossomed after the duo sat over for a few drinks to talk about collaboration ideas.

 

According to Bo, "We talk about a lot of stuff and last September, I asked him if he wanted to collaborate in a show. He said yes, and the rest is history."

 

But this isn't the first time they performed in the same concert structure. Last November 2013, Bo and Robert did the "Serenades" show at the Teatrino in Greenhills, San Juan.

 

"We made a concept na kami na lang dalawa ni Bimbo. Since kami lang dalawa, 'why don't we serenade and let's talk about our love life,'" Robert shared. "It's very universal and also, puwede siya for touring, for Valentine's, puwede rin for weddings, anything."

 

"The music, we talked about our repertoire. One thing hard about it is kasi ang key ni Bimbo is in the low key. So, most of the arrangements, medyo inayos lahat for the music," he added.

 

Bo also guaranteed that it will not only cater the older audience, but their show can also be fun for the younger crowd. Robert backed up Bo's statement stating that the younger crowd was pleased during their November show.

 

"We put in our kalog side. We brought in Aicelle Santos, who is young, as well. There's a young skit that we do— we're like school boys when we perform, actually," Bo said.

 

"Mostly, [we can cater to] the young adults. I don't think we can grab all the young kids, we're not aiming for that, anyway," Robert then followed.

 

Decades on stage

 

The duo has been performing on concerts and on stage for more than two decades now. And when asked how they manage to still touch the hearts of their listeners after decades of performing, Bo said it's living the moment, while Robert pointed out the truth and grace to his craft.

 

"I live in the moment one song at a time. There's no history, there's no futures— it's just the present moment that I concentrate on," Bo answered.

 

"For me, I think it's grace. It's a gift to me that when I sing, I touch people's hearts. Most important is truth. I don't copy people and so, what they see is me— I think people can relate to that. And I tell a story everytime I sing," Robert stressed. —KG, GMA News