Thematic online shows have become the norm, whether for a cause or in style.
Filipino classical guitarist Adrik Cristobal, an active member of the University of the Philippines Guitar Orchestra who last year won first prize at a competition in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, gets to showcase his skill through a collaborative performance with a soprano from France, Sophie Collin, and a baritone from the US, Kyle Bejnerowicz.
The Facebook live show dubbed When Voices Meet The Guitar is set this Sunday (Oct. 18, 8:00 p.m., Manila Time). It will be morning in the US and afternoon in France.
“This is a project I planned with my good friends in order to play pieces from our respective countries and continents,” shared Adrik. “We will be featuring a couple of Filipino classic songs, German pieces by Franz Schubert, well-known songs by French composers Ravel and de Libes, American classics such as 'Old man River,' and excerpts from Mozart’s 'Magic Flute Opera.'"
Back in the old normal, I had the privilege of watching Adrik perform live at his show in Makati. There’s a visceral charm to the sound coming off his instrument as he loses himself into the performance the same way an actor truly immersed in a role does.
Asked how he would encourage wannabes to take the road less traveled, he said, “I would encourage a Filipino guitarist who wants to try classical to not look at it as a too serious form of music. The classical guitar is actually one of the least traditional instruments in the sense that it is still in a lot of experimentation in terms of pieces composed.”
For the show with a minimum entrance fee of P250 (4.5 Euro and 5 USD), Adrik has to adapt piano pieces to back-up the singers as he will be the sole accompanist. With the ongoing pandemic, he puts his faith in online shows offered at affordable prices and attracting even audiences who may have not heard of him.
“This pandemic is rough on many musicians because of the lack of public performances and traveling. It affected both students and professionals one way or another,” he stressed.
Adrik also studied at the Conservatory of Seville in Spain and Conservatorium Maastricht in the Netherlands. He was also a recipient of the Zuyd Excellence Grant during his studies in the Dutchland.
“Sophie has always been a good friend of mine and we played together before,” he noted.
Sophie holds a Bachelor degree in musicology from the University of Nice and performed last February at the Theater Rudolstadt in Germany.
Last year, opera performer Kyle took on various roles he showcased at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston.
“In the end,” Adrik pointed out, “We are all affected by the pandemic. But it will not stop us from experimenting with music and how to reach audiences.”