“Three Female Voices” – a benefit concert

The Concert

Political repression in the country has taken an alarming level since the 2004 elections. This political situation has already drawn criticisms from international organizations, such as Amnesty International and the diplomatic community of European countries. An international campaign is being launched to increase global awareness of the Philippine human rights situation and political assassinations and draw support from international human rights and civil liberties organizations.

In line with this international campaign, IBON Foundation, Inc. is co-sponsoring a concert initiated by COR Productions, that will benefit the group HUSTISYA. HUSTISYA is an organization of survivors and relatives of victims of human rights violations in the country who are seeking justice.

The Artists

Agnes Garcia Barredo, mezzo-soprano, started her vocal training at the U.P. College of Music. She finished her Professional Diploma (Voice in Operatic Studies and Professional Certificate in Performing Arts (Music) in Voice Performance Course, with Distinction, from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. She has sung as mezzo-soprano soloist in concerts, operas, operettas, oratorios, masses, cantatas and musicals both in the Philippines and abroad. She is currently a Voice Instructor at the U.P. College of Music Extension Program, Tanghalang Pilipino Actors’ Company and Trumpets’ Musicademy.

Marya Eliza Deeda Dagasuan Barretto, soprano, finished her Diploma in the Creative and Performing Musical Arts, major in Voice at the U.P. College of Music. She won First Place in the 1996 National Kundiman Competition, and First Place, as well as the Audience Prize at the 1997 Mary Garden International Vocal competition in Aberdeen, Scotland, for which she was also given a recognition award by the University of the Philippines. She has essayed major roles in various productions and is often guest soloist in concerts in the Philippines and abroad, among which, is at the Gala Concert of the 2000 Aberdeen International Youth Festival. She has worked with conductors Dr. Ernest Hoetzl, Nir Kabaretti and Kenneth Gene. Deeda currently teaches Voice at the Trumpets Musicademy.

Rica de Lima Nepomuceno, soprano, graduated from the U.P. College of Music with a Bachelor of Music degree, major in Voice, and has studied at the Prayner Konservatorium in Vienna, Austria. She has sung as soprano soloist in concerts, operas, operettas and music-theater. She has performed in the Philippines, Italy, Austria, The Netherlands and the U.S. She sang the Songs of Love and Struggle and the Songs of Struggle and Liberation, the two CD album releases of the Europe-Philippines Inter-Cultural Solidarity (EPICS). She is taking further training in vocal performance at the Conservatorio G.B. Martini in Bologna, Italy. She continuously performs in concerts and recitals, promoting both Western classical music and Filipino music.

Miguel Antonio Mariño Castro, pianist, attended the Philippine High School for the Arts, U.P. College of Music and the University of Central Florida. He has given a number of solo piano recitals in different venues around the country and in the U.S. Miguel is also active in the field of chamber music; he has participated in various music festivals and recitals with notable singers and instrumentalists. Critique Louis Roney, in the March 15, 2001 issue of the Observer, described his playing as “a demonstration of pianistic power, manual dexterity, and mastery of virtuosic musicianship.”

They will perform solos, duets and trios from well-loved operas around the world and from classical Filipino songs.

Tagged as: Amnesty International, IBON Foundation, Kundiman, University of the Philippines