FORMS OF MULTIMEDIA IN THE PHILIPPINES:

Opera, Ballet and Musical Play

Philippine Opera
Opera is a dramatic story told through songs and acting in which the singers and musicians perform
by combining text (libretto) and a musical score. Many considered that it is the most complete art form because it
incorporates many of the elements of spoken theater, such as acting, scenery, costumes, and sometimes dance.
It was first introduced to the Philippines in 1878 through the Zarzuela, a Spanish art and music form that
involved spoken and sung words. The element of tragedy, emanating from the popular themes of romance, deceit,
murder, vendetta, and other elements of human frailty, became a favorite story pattern of the Filipino opera.

One of the famous Original Philippine Operas is “La Loba Negra” (The
Black She-Wolf) Acts I and II are based on history while Act III is based on a
legend attributed to Padre Burgos, one of the 3 martyred priests. The
idea/story is presented not through spoken dialogue but through its powerful
background orchestra music, emotional singing, and intense gestures and
facial expression of the actor. You can already tell that the story focuses on
the bitter reaction and planned revenge on the religious perpetrators
because of how the music and libretto closely collaborate.

Philippine Ballet
Philippine Ballet on the other hand has been used to interpret stories not in spoken dialogue but
through dance. We can understand the story by the dancers’ creative steps, arm gestures, facial expressions, and
body movements. The performance is also enhanced by colorful costumes, elaborates steps, music, and synchronized
choreography.
The beloved stories of Lola Basyang , “Ang Prinsipe ng mga Ibon” is one of
the famous original Filipino ballets , a love story where a princess falls inlove with a
bird. The love story is effectively presented not through spoken words but through
dance choreographed by Osias Baroso and the music which is taken from selected
musical works of National artists arranged by Mon Faustino.

Philippine Musical Plays

Philippine musical plays commonly known as the Music of the Philippines (Filipino: Musika ng Pilipinas;
Spanish: Música de Filipinas) include musical performance arts in the Philippines or by Filipinos composed in
various genres and styles. The compositions are often a mixture of different Asian, Spanish, Latin American,
American, and indigenous influence. It is a more recent development than on Broadway and the West End, relying
mostly on adaptations of novels, literary works, or biographical sketches of famous artists.

In general, musical play is a lighter form of musical drama than the opera. The themes of musical play are
usually more contemporary. The melodies are easier and more manageable for an average singer. The acting is
lighter and less dramatic because it provides breaks in the unfolding plots through entertaining choreography and
dance sequences.

Andres Bonifacio: Ang Dakilang Anak-Pawis is a Filipino musical play by Alfonso Puyat in 1979, depicting
the life of revolutionary hero, Andres Bonifacio. The heroic acts of Andres Bonifacio can be seen in this musical play
through the combination of acting, singing, dancing, and spoken dialogue.

Learning Competency with code

Describes how an idea or story in a musical play is presented by watching a live performance or video excerpt.
(MU10MM-IIIa-h-1, Week1/Q4)
 EXPLAINING THEATRICAL ELEMENTS
The concept of musical theatre combines the drama and plot of a stage play with a musical component; the
extent of this musical collaboration has changed over the years, from operas to orchestras to full-fledged plays. As
we watch theatre performances, it seems like everything is easy but have you ever asked yourself if what or who is
behind that curtain for it to become a successful play? In this module, we will tackle the different musical theatrical
elements and how these elements are combined with music and media to achieve certain effects.

ELEMENTS OF THEATER THAT AFFECTS PERFORMANCE

1. The Performers
They are the people onstage who present characters in dramatic action. They must have the skill and
attributes so they must be believable and effective as the character they are portraying. Such skills are
singing, dancing, and acting.

2. Directors
a. Theatrical Director
He/she is a professional in the theater field who orchestrates and oversees the production of a play.
The director must ensure the over-all quality and completeness of theatre production especially the acting of
the performers and must lead the members to do their tasks.
b. Music Director
He is the one responsible for the over-all music of the play. Normally, the music director serves as
the conductor during the live performances directing the orchestra. He teaches music to the cast and the
musician.
3. Music/Sound
a. Orchestra
In general, theatrical orchestra is defined as a group of musicians who play the instruments from
different families including bowed string, woodwinds, brass and percussion instruments unified by the
conductor/music director using a score, a notation in manuscript or in a printed form. Orchestra serves as
the accompaniment of an Opera, sometimes in a ballet and in musical play usually with orchestral overtures
and interludes
b. Pop/ Rock Band
Pop or rock band is a small musical ensemble consisting guitarists, bassist, pianist, and a
drummer. You might never see a pop/rock band in an Opera but you might in a Musical play especially
nowadays because of the selected modern songs used in a play. Oftentimes, musical play uses recorded
audio from a band as their accompaniment.
4. Theatre Space
Another important theatrical element is to have a theatre space so there will be proper places both for
performers and audience.
5. Design Aspects
One of the most important elements is the Design Aspects because they establish the setting and the mood
of the production. This technical theatre includes scenery, lighting, properties, costuming, and sounds.
6. Script/Text
The final element is the script/text/line which is very important and must be present for theatre to occur. This
is the piece of writing in the drama consisting dialogues, stage directions, and instructions to the actors. One key
element is the conflict, because without it, the play would be boring.

Learning Competency with code:

Explains how theatrical elements in a selected part of a musical play are combined with music and media to achieve
certain effects. (MU10MM-IIIa-h, Weeks 2-3/Q4)
Activity 1. IDENTIFY ME!
Directions: Answer the following questions about multimedia forms. Write your answers in the space provided before
each item.
____________ 1. What form of multimedia interprets stories not in spoken dialogue but through dance?
____________ 2. What do you call the text used in, or intended for, an extended musical work?
____________ 3. What form of multimedia is considered by many to be the most complete art form because it
incorporates many of the elements of spoken theater?
____________ 4. In what Spanish art and music form does Opera was first introduced in the Philippines?
____________ 5. Who arranged the music in the ballet, “Ang Prinsipe ng mga Ibon”, which is taken from selected
musical works of National artists?
____________ 6. Who is the writer of the musical play, Andres Bonifacio: Ang Dakilang Anak-Pawis?
____________ 7. True or False? The element of tragedy, emanating from the popular themes of romance, deceit,
murder, vendetta, and other elements of human frailty, became a favorite story pattern of the Filipino
Opera.
____________ 8. What is the difference between musical play and opera in terms of theme?
____________ 9. How was the idea/ story presented in the beloved stories of Lola Basyang, “Ang Prinsipe ng mga
Ibon”?
____________ 10. How was the idea/ story presented in the Opera, La Loba Negra?

Activity 2. MATCHING TYPE

Directions: Match Column A to Column B. Write the letter of your answer on the space provided before each number.

Column A Column B
___ 1. Performers a. the piece of writing in the drama consisting dialogues,
stage directions, and instructions to the actors.
___ 2. Theatre Directors b. This technical theatre includes scenery, lighting, properties,
costuming, and sounds.
___ 3. Orchestra c. a notation in manuscript or in a printed form
d. They are the people onstage who present characters in dramatic
action
___ 4. Theatre Space e. a group of musicians who play the instruments from different
families including bowed string, woodwinds, brass and
percussion instruments
___ 5. Design Aspects f. a small musical ensemble consisting guitarists, bassist, pianist, and
a drummer.
___ 6. Script/ Text g. a key element that is used on the flow of the story to make it
more exciting
___ 7. Conductor h. a professional in the theater field who orchestrates and oversees
the production of a play
___ 8. Conflict i. a space where the performers perform
j. he is the one responsible for the over-all music of the play.
___ 9. Score
___ 10. Band