Ana Feleo is an Aliw Awardee for Best Actress in a Musical
for 2007. She received her music education at the College of Music, University
of the Philippines under the tutelage of Professor Emeritus Fides
Cuyugan-Asensio.
She has performed in various oratorios, concerts, operas and
musicals such as Magnificat; Sino ka ba, Jose Rizal; Alikabok; Something To
Crow About; The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe; Oraciones; Pergolesi's Stabat
Mater; Handel's Messiah; Saint Saen's Christmas Oratorio; Gilas!;
Operanow I, and Mozart's Magic Flute among other.
Her most significant role, however, was in the world premiere of the Filipino
opera, Spoliarium: Juan Luna, where she played Paz Pardo de Tavera-Luna,
the murdered wife of Luna. This production was written by Prof. Fides Asensio
and composed by Maestro Ryan Cayabyab.
Starting today, October 3, Ana gets her biggest break in her operatic career where she is tasked to perform her very first full-length opera in Giacomo Puccini's opera, La Boheme to be staged at Cultural of the Philippines' Main Theater.
In La Boheme, the lead roles are tenors Juan Alberto
Gaerlan, and Seattle Opera-based Gary del Rosario as Rodolfo. Sopranos Jennifer
Uy and Maribel Miguel make their debut as Mimì while sopranos Ana Feleo and
Elaine Lee play Musetta. Baritones Lawrence Jatayna and Jesus Baang plays
Marcello while Joseleo Logdat and John Ocampos plays Colline and Schaunard,
respectively.
As Musetta, Ana will sing the famous aria "Quando men ‘vo."
She points out, "Musetta, for me is a damaged soul. Shattered by the difficulties of life, of poverty and failed relationships in the past. She gathers strength from all of these experiences, and becomes this strong, fearless woman. Passion rules her life. In her heart, she knows that Marcello is her soul mate. Despite their petty fights and jealousy, they know that they cannot live without each other. Passion runs their relationship."
Asked how she prepared for the role, "I trained with W. Stephen Smith in Juilliard School of Music to prepare me vocally for the role. And then I also had several acting classes with my mother (Film director and acting coach Laurice Guillen), along with the other cast members for the emotional and character obligation of each role. We also had weekly training with Maestra Helen Quach to master the score of Puccini since June of this year."
"Probably the most challenging part of my preparation was when I left to study in New York. I had to shoulder everything financially. My parents, of course, helped, but that was it. I had to get rid of my fears of going to Juilliard alone. I had to undo a whole lot of vocal habits and humble myself to receive whatever corrections and work my teacher had to give me. I have gone through my own share of difficulties in all aspects of my life. But like Musetta, these trials never stopped me to allow myself to feel, to love, and to aspire. I believe that my passion for love, for my art, and for my craft is what fuels me to go on with life, and to ENJOY life."
The storyline of La Boheme is simple enough: Mimi and Rodolfo find love, lose love and then find love again at the end of the play, right before Mimi dies. A second storyline involves the relationship between Marcello, a bohemian writer, and Musetta, a vivacious redhead who makes a living by feeding off of her sugar daddy. Rodolfo and Marcello are supported by their roommates, a professor named Colline and a musician named Schaunard.
What makes this production remarkable is that each performer
has the whole package: youth, beauty, a powerful voice and talent as an actor.
Director Floy Quintos has brought out the best in all of his performers with
his creatively modern direction. Set design is by Jo Tecson, the high-tech
video design is by Furball and lighting design is done by Monino Duque.
La Boheme Manila is set to open tonight, October 3, with a cocktail gala at 8 pm and October 4 at 8 pm and a 3 pm matinee on October 5 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines' Main Theater. For tickets, call Philippine Opera Company at 892-8786 or Ticket World at 891-9999.
