About Us
THE STORY
THE COMPOSER
THE COMPOSER
The curtain opens in the town of San Diego (Calamba) at the turn of the 20th century. Spain, having been established in the Philippines since the 16th century, the Spaniards are the social elites of society. A reception is being given by Kapitan Tiago at his mansion in honor of his friend, Crisostomo Ibarra, a young and rich Filipino who
The curtain opens in the town of San Diego (Calamba) at the turn of the 20th century. Spain, having been established in the Philippines since the 16th century, the Spaniards are the social elites of society. A reception is being given by Kapitan Tiago at his mansion in honor of his friend, Crisostomo Ibarra, a young and rich Filipino who has just returned to his homeland after seven years of collegiate study in Europe, and the fiancé of his daughter; the beautiful Maria Clara.
THE COMPOSER
THE COMPOSER
THE COMPOSER
Felipe Padilla de Leon (1912-1992) was born in Penaranda, Nueva Ecija, on May 1, 1912. After being educated both in Manila and in the United States, he became a major Philippine composer, conductor and scholar. He is known for his translation of the Philippine National Anthem from the original Spanish to Tagalog, and his famous piece Pa
Felipe Padilla de Leon (1912-1992) was born in Penaranda, Nueva Ecija, on May 1, 1912. After being educated both in Manila and in the United States, he became a major Philippine composer, conductor and scholar. He is known for his translation of the Philippine National Anthem from the original Spanish to Tagalog, and his famous piece Payapang Daigdig, composed the morning after he woke up to the destruction of the city of Manila during World War II. He depicted what is noble, exalted and heroic in the Filipino.
THE OPERA
THE COMPOSER
THE OPERA
Jose Rizal's famous novel NOLI ME TANGERE (Touch Me Not), was written in l887, yet resonates with the "social cancer" it hoped to quell in many present day countries. "NOLI" as the novel is popularly called, is one of two books written by the Philippine National Hero, Jose Rizal, a renaissance man, writer, poet and physician, who was ins
Jose Rizal's famous novel NOLI ME TANGERE (Touch Me Not), was written in l887, yet resonates with the "social cancer" it hoped to quell in many present day countries. "NOLI" as the novel is popularly called, is one of two books written by the Philippine National Hero, Jose Rizal, a renaissance man, writer, poet and physician, who was inspired by Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Worlds apart, both dedicated their lives to fighting for freedom and equality through the might of their pen.
The Company
The Start of a New Journey
After a series of successful projects with Asian artists and Asian American groups, most especially with the recently concluded sold-out showing at the prestigious Kennedy Center’s Eisenhower Theater, MAFFAA had an epiphany that opened its eyes to a paradigm shift. Through it’s indefatigable leader, Lorna Imperial-Seidel reached out to KGB Productions, the company who originally envisioned the World Premiere of Noli Me Tangere in Chicago, IL several years ago. It is through their groundbreaking production which was well received by opera critics and applauded by opera enthusiasts alike that made Noli Me Tangere possible to be shared and widely appreciated by mainstream Americans.