Rosendo’s compositional output was prolific, and his career was eclectic. He wrote, performed, and taught music of all occasions and styles. One area of enjoyment for him was the stage. This page highlights some of his achievements in composition, performance, and even acting!
UP Dramatic Club
While serving on the faculty of the University of the Philippines, Diliman, beginning in 1954, Rosendo collaborated with Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero, director of the UP Dramatic Club. Rosendo composed music to be included in the stage productions. Listed below are the productions:
Sophocles’ “Antigone” Aug. 3-8, 1954
W.B. Yeats’ “Purgatory” (one-act play) Aug. 2-7, 1955
“The Faculty Follies” Jan. 23, 1956 (written and directed by Bella D. Manalo in tribute to the memory of Father John P. Delany, S.J. who passed away a week before the performance)
Henrik Ibsen’s “Hedda Gabler” Feb. 16-26, 1956
Operetta
Another pioneering project was his operetta, “Hiyas ng Nayon.” The 3-act music drama was the first ever to be written in Tagalog, and music entirely of an indigenous, Filipine-styled bent, based on such folk-songs as Leron-leron Sinta, Sarumbanggi, Dandansoy (lyrics here). It was premiered on Dec. 8, 1955 and had subsequent performances in theatres all over the country.
The Arena Stage: Washington D.C.
One of the first not-for-profit theaters in the United States and a pioneer of the regional theater movement, Rosendo participated in productions of the 1962-63 Season. He was invited to appear in the roll of an “Irish pianist,” in the Brendan Behan Broadway play “The Hostage.” He was surprised to be cast in the roll. His protests “but I am a Filipino…” were cut short by producing director Zelda Fichandler who said, “You can be an Irish-Filipino.” He also appeared in the “Three-Penny Opera” in the same season (1962-63).
Music Box Dinner Playhouse
In 1978 a new community dinner theater was launched in Swoyersville, PA called the Music Box Dinner Playhouse. At its start and for a few years after, Rosendo served as the music director. His oldest son Erik also played drums for the earliest shows of its existence. The official website of the Music Box Dinner Theater is here.
Gallery
Additional Information
The Arena Stage:
http://www.arenastage.org
The Music Box Dinner Playhouse:
http://www.musicbox.org
Zelda Fichandler:
http://ww3.americansforthearts.org/events/2002/hanks/default_001.asp
Alan Oppenheimer
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Oppenheimer
http://www.filmreference.com/film/93/Alan-Oppenheimer.html
Rene Auberjonois:
http://www.renefiles.com
Tom Toner:
http://www.filmreference.com/film/19/Thomas-Toner.html
Wilfrido Ma. Guerro:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilfrido_Ma._Guerrero |
