Historically, barbers were reportedly the precursors to surgeons, and as such they were much respected in the community.
Referencing on such seemingly forgotten chunk of the past is The Barber of Seville, said to be the most acclaimed Italian opera, which opens with a gala performance tonight at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) in Manila, with a repeat performance at 8 p.m. tomorrow. The shows mark the triple celebration of the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Italy, the 60th anniversary of Rustan’s (with its reputation for supposedly pioneering Italian merchandise in the Philippines) and the 50th anniversary of the Philippine Italian Association that promotes cultural exchange between the Philippines and Italy, said Rustan Group of Companies and Philippine Italian Association (PIA) president Zenaida Tantoco.
According to her, proceeds from both shows will go to PIA’s Endowment Fund for its partner charities: Sister Handmaids of Charity; the Servants of Charity and the Canossian Sons of Charity — three charitable institutions run by Italian Missionaries, devoted to the care of the sick, elderly, special children, and abandoned and malnourished children. Also benefitting from the concert is the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra’s (PPO) historic friendship tour of the United States in 2013, in commemoration of the orchestra’s 40th anniversary and the 115th anniversary of the Philippines’ independence from Spain.
“Opera is the best way to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the friendship between the Philippines and Italy as this art form is over a hundred years old,” enthused Italian ambassador to the Philippines Luca Fornari.
According to him, the relationship between the Philippines and Italy has spanned to over 400 years, from a Roman messenger who allegedly visited Manila to see if the Philippines was suitable for Italian settlement, to the docking of Italian ships in 1869 due to the opening of the Suez Canal, and to the launching of the first direct link between Rome and Manila in 1937. In 1874, a visa was granted for an Italian company to start an opera in Manila, one of the earliest documents related to opera, Fornari narrated.
From 1946 to today, he noted that there had been over 300 documents signed between the two governments about economy and trade, among others. Most importantly, Tantoco reminded that in 1521, it was Antonio Pigafetta, an Italian explorer, who documented Ferdinand Magellan’s “discovery” of the Philippines.
The Barber of Seville, she said, is the “finest comic opera” after the Philippine restaging of two other well-loved Italian operas: La Traviata last March and Madama Butterfly last month. “After these tragic operas, the humor of The Barber of Seville will provide the audience with a relief and break,” she assured.
“It is a rare occasion to have three operas in the Philippines in a year,” declared CCP president Dr. Raul Sunico. “It only shows the quality of our artists and production. One of the greatest attractions of an opera is the total production, a combination of director, artists and musicians. An opera in the Philippines is not a common scene. It is actually a challenge to promote.”
A two-act comic opera written by Gioachino Rossini based on Pierre Beaumarchais’ popular play Le Barbier de Séville, Barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville) tells the story of a bashful starlet saddled with a slimy agent who also happens to own the film studio she works in. Throw in a star-struck (and lustful) nobleman and a hairdresser with a flair for intrigues. Because of its inventive orchestrations and fun and catchy melodies such as the famous “Figaro,” The Barber of Seville has been considered as Rossini’s most popular opera.
“This is a Rossini opera so it requires a special type of music so I have to be vocally prepared,” shared premiere soprano Rachelle Gerodias, who will play the starlet. She will be joined by tenor Arthur Espiritu (the second Filipino to perform at La Scala in Milan); US-based baritone Andrew Fernando; and visiting multi-awarded Italian baritones Mario Cassi and Marco Filippo Romano.
The opera, said Gerodias, delivers the message that despite trials, “love will be triumphant.”

For tickets and information, call Ticketworld at tel. no. 891-9999; CCP Box Office at tel. no. 832-3704; and Rustan’s Secretariat at tel. nos. 895-2109 or 895-2404, ask for Lulu Casas.