Noli Me Tangere, from the books to the stage. The operatic rendition of Noli Me Tangere is a superb effort of skilled Filipino performers that acclaims the impressive work of art of the Philippine National Hero – Jose Rizal. Applause to the National Artists, Felipe Padilla De Leon (for its music) and Guillermo Tolentino (for its libretto in Tagalog) for bringing the novel into life.
Noli Me Tangere – The Novel
The Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not), or “The Noli” in the Philippines, was the first significant creative writing of the Philippines ‘ resistance to Spanish colonialism. The novel is a love story in an ugly political setting, a history of dominance, pain, and killing. Read a summary of the novel from Noli Me Tangere Buod, Tauhan, Talasalitaan, Aral.
Written in 1887, Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere has grown to be well regarded as one of the great books ever published for the Philippines. Rizal’s Noli and its sequel El Felibusterismo became an inspiration to many Filipinos at that time that eventually led the reformists and the revolutionists to come together, to act as one to fight for the freedom of the Philippines.
Noli Me Tangere, The Opera
Noli Me Tangere, The Opera was first shown in 1957 at Far Eastern University, and in 1974, it made its debut at the prestigious Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). It was brought back to the stage in 1987, in 2017, and in 2019. J&S Production premiered the opera in New York City at the Kaye Playhouse in 2013 and made its way to Washington DC at the John F. Kennedy Center in 2014.
Noli Me Tangere hopes to ignite patronage from fellow Filipinos, to appreciate national music, and applaud fellow Filipino artists and performers. While this opera’s preparations were inspired by Traditional western classical music, it is mostly inspired by the Philippines’ kundiman. Thus giving the crowd a feeling of awareness that Filipinos have their own individuality – this individuality is beautiful, however, at times taken for granted.
Read also: How To Read Music
Noli Me Tangere, The Opera was able to touch one’s sentiments as the music narrates the sad fate of the characters – Crisostomo Ibarra and Maria Clara. The show was outstanding. The stage design had been well thought of and the costumes clearly resembled the old Spanish era. The singers show mastery of their art as they touch the hearts of their audience. The music was exceptionally performed leaving the viewers in amazement after the performance.
Noli Me Tangere is a classic work of art that every Filipino shouldn’t miss. This is certainly a heritage that every Filipino ought to preserve.
