A Conversation with Noel Espíritu Velasco, Part 2
2012; Routledge; Volume: 68; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês
ISSN
2769-4046
Autores Tópico(s)Diverse Musicological Studies
ResumoContinuing my conversion with tenor Noel Espiritu Velasco . . . Leslie Holmes: You were at the University of the Philippines for-if I'm not crazy-thirteen years. Noel Espiritu Velasco: Yes, because I was like [the] Wandering Jew. I started in 1965, planning to be a mechanical engineer. But music began to beckon me. Head of the Voice Department, Aurelio Estanislao, was auditioning for the UP Mixed Chorus. That's when I started having voice lessons with him. I was a member of that chorus and, shortly thereafter, became a member of the elite Madrigal Singers as well, which has now become an award-winning group, winning many European competitions. They won the European Grand Prix in Choral Singing twice-the very first group that has done that. LH: And at age nineteen you sang Scarpia? NEV: Yes. It was a crazy world, [laughter] LH: You didn't get a double degree in mechanical engineering and music, right? NEV: I shifted in mid-stream. I was at the university for a long time, in part, because of the two world tours with the Madrigal Singers, and also because I shifted to business administration. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration. LH: It equips you to do something. NEV: Yes, it's something to fall back on. That was helpful, and I used it for a little while in a part of my life. Having done that, I paid my way to finishing an Artist's Diploma in Voice and a Bachelor of Music. LH: Was that before you went to Curtis? There were two years in there that I couldn't account for. NEV: Yes, it was before I went to Curtis. LH: University of the Philippines is very proud of you. On November 21, 2008, they gave you a citation for your international singing career, together with soprano Evelyn Mandac. You were there for five days, I believe. NEV: Yes. I was expected to sing, with jet lag and everything. LH: At least the singing day came before the teaching day. NEV: I was able to do that quite successfully when I was younger. But, in this day and at my age, it was harder to recoup. When I had just won the Paravotti Competition, Madame Marcos sought me out, as President Marcos was reelected for a third term and she wanted me to sing at his inauguration. I was at the Lake George Opera Festival at that time, but they eventually found me. They looked everywhere! LH: Well, you're a national treasure. I read that. does it feel to be a national treasure? NEV: It was one review that I kept in my files that said that. LH: I believe the president of the university also said it. NEV: Well, Madame Marcos also said it. At the time of the inauguration, I drove down to New York City from Lake George. From there I flew to San Francisco, to Guam, and then to Manila. When I arrived at 7:00 in the morning, I had a message from the Cultural Center of the Philippines that I had rehearsals at 11:00 with the orchestra for a nationally televised concert at the Rizal National Park. I had about two hours of sleep, followed by a light breakfast with my mother. I then went to the rehearsals and, fortunately, my voice was fine. concert was at 5:00 that same afternoon. I sang Che gelida manina, Recondita armonia, a couple of classical songs, and Nessun dorma. LH: Somehow, when you have to do something like that, you do it. And then you think afterwards, How did I do that? NEV: following day, at 5:00 in the morning, the rehearsal for the inauguration took place. inauguration was the next day at 7:00 a.m. I sang The Lord's Prayer and a newly composed patriotic song, Ako ay Filipino (I am Filipino), which I sang with a famous Filipina pop star, Kuh Ledesma, with the orchestra. That night there was a state dinner at the palace. They wanted me to sing and I offered the aria from Daughter of the Regiment. LH: You've got to be kidding. NEV: I thought I was finished, but it just so happened that it was now July 1st, the eve of Madame Marcos's birthday. …
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