Full Cast Announced for NOLI ME TANGERE OPERA Manila; Gala Set for Tonight, 9/11

Manila, Philippines--J&S Productions Inc., in cooperation with Resorts World Manila, alongside presenters San Miguel Corporation, PLDT, Smart, and Meralco, has just revealed the full cast for the long awaited return of the country's first full-length grand opera NOLI ME TANGERE Opera to Manila (a full stage production of the opera was last seen in Manila 27 years ago). Gala is set for tonight at Resorts World Manila's Newport Performing Arts Theater (Newport Boulevard, Newport City Pasay); the opera, whose production budget is pegged at PHP 40-60M, officially opens tomorrow and will run until Sunday, September 28.

Sung in Tagalog (supertitles in English are provided), the opera, inspired by José Rizal's 1887 classic romantic novel "Noli Me Tángere" ("Touch Me Not"), featuring music by National Artist Felipe de Leon and libretto by National Artist Guillermo Tolentino, presents two alternating casts made up of actors and singers bridging the worlds of opera and musical theater.

Full cast list is as follows: Rachelle Gerodias and Myramae Meneses as Maria Clara; Sal Malaki and Ivan Niccolo Nery as Juan Crisostomo Ibarra; Antoni Mendezona and Jean Judith Javier as Sisa; Noel Azcona and Greg de Leon as Elias; Andrew Fernando and Jonathan Velasco as Padre Damaso; Camille Lopez Molina, who is also the show's vocal master, as Tia Isabel; Roby Malubay as Pilosopo Tasio; Reginald Santiago Velasco and Joaquin Ignacio Samonte as Basilio; Jose Luis Mari Yapjoco and Mark Cedrick Imperial as Crispin; Margarita Roco as Donya Victorina; Raymund Concepcion as Don Tiburcio; Ronaldo Abarquez as Kapitan Tiago; Gil Terence Guillermo as Alferez; Fernando del Rosario as Teniente Guevara; Adrian James Bartolome as Don Alfonso Linares; Stephanie Anne Aguilar as Sinang; Glenda Liao as Andeng; Kristine Marie Balingcos as Victoria; Jahleel Jairus Gonzales as Guardia Civil; Lorenz Lloyd Lapresca and Michael Dominic Bolaong as Manlilibing; Carlo Angelo Falcis as Don Filipino; Nohmer Narito Nival as Padre Salvi; and ensemble members: Millicent Joy Lao, Iona Marie Ventocilla, Nicole Roxanne Aldiosa, and Renee Michaela Fajardo.

The musical presentation, an opera originally staged in Three Acts, follows the story of Juan Crisostomo Ibarra who returns to the Philippines after pursuing scholarly studies in Europe. He plans to open up a school and marry Maria Clara, his betrothed. However, parish priest Padre Damaso, the archenemy of the Ibarras, is out to hinder Crisostomo's plans, which creates "a dramatic storyline of forbidden love, betrayal and revenge."

Student tickets at PHP 500 ($11) each for Balcony Center, Balcony Left and Right, and Premiere B Left and Right sections are now available to purchase. Call (632) 634-1720 (Present current, valid student ID card.)

Theatergoers may also avail of two free tickets upon purchase of 10 group tickets from PHP 1,200 to PHP 3,700 each. Call (632) 634-1720.

Part of the proceeds will go to the preservation of the original copy of "Noli Me Tángere" in the National Library and scholarships for Filipino opera singers.

The Honorary Chairs of NOLI ME TANGERE OPERA Manila are Boy Abunda, Gemma Cruz-Araneta, architect William V. Coscolluela and Marion Coscolluela, Secretary Albert F. Del Rosario, Margie Moran Floirendo, and Loida Nicolas Lewis.

BroadwayWorld.com is an online media partner of NOLI ME TANGERE OPERA Manila.