French pianist François Chaplin performs with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra for an evening of French classical music on June 22, 8 p.m. at the Cultural Center of the Philippines to celebrate 70 years of friendship between France and the Philippines.
Ravel Unraveled commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Amity on June 26, 1947 formally establishing diplomatic relations between France and the Philippines. French-Philippine bilateral ties 70 years later have entered a period of renewed dynamism in all aspects and a series of high-level political exchanges, including the first visit of a French head of state to the Philippines in 2015.
Chaplin trained at the Paris Conservatory under the tutelage of Bulgarian pianist Wentsislav Yankoff, and later, of French pianist Jean-Claude Pennetier. Chaplin is one of the most renowned classical pianists in France today, having recorded the complete works for piano by Claude Debussy and Frédéric Chopin’s complete nocturnes. He has performed both as a soloist in prestigious concert halls across the globe, from Paris to London to Mexico, and with prominent orchestras such as the Japan Philharmonic and the Saint Petersburg Philharmonic.
Chaplin is also a piano professor at the Versailles National Music Conservatory and has led master classes on French music at the Conservatory of Saint Petersburg and the University of Montreal, among others.
Ravel Unraveled not only marks the 70th anniversary of French-Philippine relations through music, but also symbolizes solidarity between the two countries. The proceeds of this concert will benefit the rehabilitation and housing projects of the France-Philippines United Action (FPUA) Foundation, the first foundation in the world to be administered by a French Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The FPUA was created following the passage of Typhoon Yolanda in 2013. Today, the foundation works with French donors to implement programs on housing rehabilitation, health, and children’s welfare. Upholding the principle of “Building Back Better Communities,” FPUA has completed two rehabilitation sites in Daanbantayan, Cebu, and provided over 200 disaster-resilient houses in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Philippines and the Philippine Red Cross. A third village with 46 permanent houses and a multi-purpose center will soon be completed in Bogo, Northern Cebu, which is expected to benefit more than 250 persons who still live in disaster risk areas.
The Embassy of France to the Philippines, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and the SSI Group, Inc., with its continuous commitment to provide Filipinos with quality lifestyle options, present Ravel Unraveled as part of “PhilFrance: Feel French!”, a year-long festival to celebrate the 70th year of diplomatic relations between France and the Philippines. This concert is also made possible through the generous support of SSI Group brands Lacoste and Longchamp, Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, and Air France.
Tickets priced at P3,000, P2,000, P1,000 and P800 are available by contacting the CCP Box Office at 832-3704 or Ticketworld at 891-9999.