10/04/2026
To register: viber +639175555157.
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We limit to 50 pax, due to summer season, in consideration of indoor comfort.
RECITAL DATE:
MAY 1, 2026
Friday
LABOR DAY (regular holiday).
SCHEDULE:
6pm to 7pm
DOOR OPENS AT 5PM.
No Entry during Final Artist Rehearsal Hours: 3pm to 5pm.
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Kundiman After Dark:
NICANOR ABELARDO
(1893 - 1934)
SET A.
This marks the 11th performance of the Nicanor Abelardo Program.
This marks our 15th recital.
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Set A: soprano * cello * piano.
Set B: tenor * violin * piano.
May 1, 2026 recital plays SET A.
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PROGRAMME:
Bituing Marikit (1926)
Magbalik ka, Hirang (1925)
Serenade in A Major for Cello & Piano (1922)
Romanza para Cello y Piano (1921)
Nocturne in C-minor (solo piano) (1921)
Naku...Kenkoy! (1930)
Ang Aking Bayan (1922)
Nasaan ka Irog (1923)
Mutya ng Pasig (1926)
No encore.
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COMPOSER: Nicanor Abelardo
ARTISTS:
Stefanie Quintin-Avila SOPRANO
Giuseppe Diestro CELLO
Augusto Espino PIANO
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Nicanor Abelardo (1893 - 1934) was a Filipino composer known for his kundiman songs.
He was born in San Miguel, Bulacan.
His mastery of the instruments made him a local prodigy.
In 1901, he wrote his first composition.
He took employment in various small theaters and cinemas.
In 1916, Abelardo entered the newly-established University of the Philippines Conservatory of Music, where he composed the university's official anthem, UP Nating Mahal in 1917.
He wrote most of his important works while teaching at the conservatory.
In May 1931 he left Manila for Chicago to enroll at the Chicago Musical College.
He resumed his teaching at the Conservatory after returning to Manila.
He died on 1934 at the age of 41.
He was buried at the La Loma Cemetery.
Abelardo, along with Francisco Santiago, is known for redefining the kundiman, bringing the form to art-song status.
A biography of Abelardo lists 149 works.
source: Wikipedia.
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STEFANIE QUINTIN-AVILA soprano
Cited by Opera Magazine for her “crystalline tone and compelling presence”,
Stefanie has performed at the Asia-Europe New Music Festival, soundSCAPE Festival, Ostbelgien Festival, and the International Bamboo Organ Festival.
She holds music degrees from the the University of the Philippines and the University of California San Diego.
She is married to classical guitarist Anton Luis Avila and is mother of two.
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GIUSEPPE DIESTRO Cello
Coming from a family of musicians from Angono, Jopi is also teacher and conductor.
Jopi completed his Bachelor of Music degree in Cello Performance at the University of the Philippines College of Music.
Further studies at the Conservatoire à Rayonnement Regional de Dijon, France.
He has performed with the Manila Symphony Orchestra, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra., the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra and the
Southeast Asian Youth Orchestra (Thailand).
He is currently the Cello Instructor at the University of the Philippines College of Music.
He is Conductor of the Angono Chamber Orchestra, and Music Director of the Angono National Symphonic Band.
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AUGUSTO ESPINO Piano
Augusto Espino is a composer, arranger, choral conductor, and pedagogue.
He completed his Master of Music in Piano at the University of the Philippines College of Music
where he taught for over four decades.
Recognized as a piano soloist,
he is less known for his important contribution to elevating Filipino folk songs to performance standards,
by transcribing these for Piano, Voice, and Chorus.
His transcriptions have been used for concerts and recitals.
Among his compositions is "Kundiman ng Langit" which is regularly performed.
