Fred Said . . .

From October 1971 to March 1972, Maria Callas actually conducted a series of Master Classes in opera singing at Julliard School in New York City.  She was averse to saying that she has retired.  She simply just stopped singing, she said.  And it was in one of these classes that Terence McNally's play "Master Class" was set.


It is that rare play where it is practically a showcase for just one actress.  In this show, that actress is Ms. Cherie Gil.  However, when you are watching her, she is not Ms. Cherie Gil at all.  She is completely transformed into the persona of her enigmatic character.  She's got the look, the walk, the accent, the air, the attitude.

On that stage, Ms. Cherie Gil IS Madame Maria Callas!

"Master Class" is practically a 100 or so minutes of a most difficult monologue.  This monologue goes from sensible advice, to sarcastic cynicism, to diva-ish idiosyncrasies, to funny asides, and gut-wrenching emotion.  I have never really seen a more possessed performance on stage.  It was all so natural.  The way she talked to us in the audience did not feel like she was following a script.  You do not actually know if she was ad libbing lines or not.  Even her few flubbed words seemed as normal as you will hear an actual teacher commit minor errors in a real classroom.  When she says things like "I breathe money.  I sweat money.  I sh*t money," you know she meant every word.

She was frank.  She was witty.  And yes, she was even vulgar.  She was indeed an iconic star of the opera.  She was exultant in her victorious recollections of her days in La Scala.  However, at the same time, she was very much of victim of her life's circumstances.  She also stripped her soul bare to the audience as she touched on her insecurities about her body image, her envy of her prettier blond sister, her disastrous love affairs.  She dwelt a lot about Aristotle Onassis, with some shocking revelations about the love and tumult in their relationship.   Some parts of these monologues were backed by the actual live recordings of Ms. Callas's magnificent voice back in her heyday to great effect. 


When I was there in the audience, I honestly thought I was listening to Maria Callas herself as she is talking to me.  I learned a lot about art and artistry in opera and in singing. Her advice was pithy, like when she said what you need to succeed in art are Discipline, Technique and Mut (which was German for "courage').   When she gave her last parting advice to "sing properly and honestly", I felt she was saying that to me very personally.  Ms. Gil's on-point and well-accented voice lifted these words to a different level. 

I must say, this is a definite must watch.  Especially for people who love art, who love theater and of course, those who love the opera.  Ms. Cherie Gil definitely owns this show with her tour-de-force bravura performance.  After watching this, I cannot think of another actress who can play this role.  Do not miss POC's "Master Class"!

****************************

MASTERCLASS will run at the Carlos P. Romulo Theater, RCBC Plaza, Makati on October 17, 18, 23, 24 and 25, 2008 at 8:00 p.m.  Directed by Michael Williams. 

For block ticket sales please call Philippine Opera Company at 892-8786 and TicketWorld at 891-9999 or log on to www.philippineoperacompany.com

There were actors there in supporting roles as her students that day.  It was they who sang the operatic arias in this play, not Ms. Gil.  Florence Aguilar played shy Sophie de Palma, who was taught to add more feeling into her singing, and to wear a longer skirt. Jack Salud played Anthony Candolino in true 70s gigolo fashion of open shirt and tight pants.  Special mention goes to Deeda Barreto who played Sharon Graham.  At first, you thought her character was for comedy with her blue ballgown and flighty demeanor.  But when she sang the lines of Lady Macbeth, her soprano was so strong!

Thank you Ms. Lorna Lopez and Ms. Karla Gutierrez for allowing me to share in this rare theater experience.