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Ailyn Agonia
Doha
INTERNATIONALLY acclaimed Filipino pianist Dr Raul Sunico led the classical music concert organised by the Philippine Embassy Doha in collaboration with Katara Cultural Village at the Katara Opera House on Friday.
Sunico was the former president of the Cultural Centre of the Philippines and has performed in different countries across the globe. He was joined by young talents Stefanie Quintin (soprano) and Jesper Mercado (pianist) during the more than one-hour concert that featured a diverse repertoire composed by the likes of Sergel Rachmaninoff, Frederic Chopin and Liszt as well as a number of Filipino traditional folk and love songs.
"We are happy to collaborate with Katara to sustain bilateral and cultural exchanges between the Philippines and Qatar through a wide range of cultural events. During the post-colonial period, music was included in the primary school curriculum in the Philippines and since then was deeply embedded in Philippine culture and traditions," Philippine Ambassador to Qatar HE Alan L Timbayan said on the occasion.
Stefanie and Jesper were applauded for their moving performance of musical themes 'Tonight' from West Side Story and 'All the Things You Are' from Very Warm for May. Stefanie wowed the crowd with her powerful voice while singing two Filipino songs and a French piece.
Sunico wrapped up the evening with his performance of Filipino love song 'Bato sa Buhangin' and folk song Bahay Kubo/ Leron Leron Sinta, which were well-appreciated by the Filipinos in the crowd. It was followed by his performance of George Gershwin's 'Rhapsody in Blue'.
