The Philippine Madrigal Singers Captivate Capiceños

by BIENVENIDO P. CORTES

Roxas City – The Capiz Gymnasium at the Villareal Stadium in this city was full audience of eager Capicenos to hear the various repertoire of the Philippine Madrigal Singers. They were in town Going for the Gold on their 50th Anniversary Outreach  Concert Tour.

The Association of Resorts, Restaurants  and Hotels of Capiz , Inc. (ARRHC) , headed by Mrs. Imelda Caeg sponsored the grand concert.

The  program/repertoire was opened with the singing of the National Anthem followed with the  singing of the Capiz Hymn. 

Mrs. Caeg, in her opening  remarks,  said that the coming in Roxas City of the Philippine Madrigal Singers is their first project and whatever funds raised will be used   in the promotion of tourism and environmental-centered programs, projects and   other allied activities.

The Madrigal Singers with Mark Anthony A. Carpio as choirmaster, rendered  l4 repertoire songs  during their four-part singing skeds. 

In Part l, they sang Doxologia,  Cantate Domino, Ama and Ang Puso Ko’y Nagpupuri. Part II, Izar Ederrak (Basque),  Rasa Sayang/Lenggang Kangkong (Malay), and Italian Salad.  A parody of an Opera Scene brought laughter and googles to the audience.

After a ten-minute intermission, Part III repertoire consisted of a Cebuano Medley (Bisaya), Pagtulogna Nene (Ilonggo), and Tong Tong Pakitong (Tagalog) and in Part IV, they sang Minsan Lang Kitang Iibigin, I’m Yours, Da Coconut Nut, and Isang Dugo, Isang Lahi, Isa Ang Musika. 

As a backgrounder, the Philippine Madrigal Singers was organized in 1963 by National Artist Professor Andrea O. Veneracion. The choir is one of the world’s most awarded, having consistently won all the top prizes in the most of the world’s prestigious choral competitions.

Now with the direction of Mark Anthony A. Carpio, the ensemble continues to perform a wide repertoire of various styles and forms: Renaissance music,  classical music, Filipino and International folk songs, contemporary  and Avant-garde music,  Opera and even popular music. Their specialization and focus on the Madrigal idiom has inspired their unique set-up of singing while seated in a semi-circle, without a conductor.

Capiz Gov. Victor A. Tangco and other local officials, NGOs, school  officials and students were among those who  attended the unique grand concert. /MP