PH Embassy Organizes First Solo Concert of Filipino Baritone in Rome

Logdat and Maestro perform songs from popular Italian operas. (Rome PE photo)

ROME 16 FEBRUARY 2024 - The Philippine Embassy in Rome hosted “Arias for Eros, Love songs from Italy, the Philippines and the World,” an intimate concert featuring Italy-based Filipino baritone Joseleo Logdat, on 09 February 2024 at the performance hall of its chancery. Mr. Logdat was accompanied on piano by Maestro Simone Maria Marziali of the Accademia Verdiana di Carlo Bergonzi in Busseto, Italy.

The event was part of the Philippines’ celebration of National Arts Month “to honor artistic excellence and acclaim the uniqueness and diversity of Filipino heritage and culture1.” This year’s theme, “Ani ng Sining, Bayang Malikhain” (A Harvest of Arts from a Creative Nation), recognizes the fundamental role of artistic expression in the country’s cultural landscape and development.

In his remarks, Philippine Ambassador to Italy Neal Imperial proudly presented Mr. Logdat as “an important part of the changing profile of the Filipino diaspora in Italy.” He mentioned that from the latter’s humble beginnings as a member of a choir in the small town of Boac in the province of Marinduque in the Philippines, Logdat pursued his career in music with a Master’s degree in Vocal Performance at the Elisabeth University of Music in Hiroshima, Japan, where he was chosen as Best Recitalist for the year 2014. In the same year, he launched the annual “Musika sa Isla” (Music in the Islands), with the noble aim of promoting classical music in his home province. Ambassador Imperial lauded Mr. Logdat as a “source of national pride and a high point of interaction between the Philippines and Italy.”

“Arias for Eros” featured Mr. Logdat’s interpretation of the most popular Filipino, Italian, and English love songs. He regaled the attendees with a beautiful repertoire, including the Italian classics, “Se” from Cinema Paradiso, “Di Provenza il mar il suol” from La traviata, “Il balen del suo sorriso” from Il trovatore and “Vien Leonora” from La Favorita; Filipino kundiman, notably classic lullaby, “Ugoy ng Duyan” (The sway of the baby hammock), “Payapang Daigdig” (Peaceful World), and “Iyo kailan Pa man” (I am yours forever); and English songs from popular musicals, such as “Dulcinea” from the Man of La Mancha and “Maria” from West Side Story.

Logdat was accompanied by acclaimed pianist Maestro Simone Maria Marziali, a collaborating master and substitute master at the Puccini Festival in Torre del Lago for over twelve (12) years, and in many Italian and foreign theaters. The latter conducted various operas in Siena such as La Bohème, Traviata, and La Bohème and Madama Butterfly at the Teatro Dei Rinnovati, Piazza del Castello, and Piazza Casole D’Elsa respectively.

In between Logdat’s performances, Maestro Marziali treated the Rome-based audience with an Intermezzo from Cavaleria Rusticana by P. Mascagni and Intermezzo from Manon Lescaut by G. Puccini.

For the finale, the duo regaled the attendees with their beautiful interpretation of “Non ti scordar di me” by Italian composer Ernesto de Curtis. After the 10-song performance, the Filipino baritone graciously treated the crowd with two more Italian songs for his encore, “Con Te Partiro” and the popular Neapolitan song, "Funiculì funiculà.”

The event was attended by select members of the diplomatic corps and international organizations in Rome, Italian cultural community, Filipino community leaders, the private sector, and academia.

Logdat is a recipient of various accolades and recognition in the Philippines and abroad. He was a finalist at the Concorso San Colombano - Sacred Music Category in 2022, and has been featured in concerts in Siena with Liricorando; concert tribute to legendary baritone Piero Cappucilli; and a Christmas show organized by the Comune di Monza and Fondazione Piero Cappuccilli in 2022.

He is now under the mentorship of Maestra Cristina Ferri, Maestra Vincenza Angela Dellapina of Fondazione Piero Cappuccilli, and guest pianist Maestro Simone Maria Marziali. END

The duo performs the Filipino classic, “Payapang Daigdig” (Peaceful World). (Rome PE photo)

For more information, visit https://romepe.dfa.gov.ph/.