A grand musical night

'Twas a grand night for singing with NegOr's musical gems: tenor Jonathan Badon, soprano Jenny Lind Aldecoa -Delorino warmed cold, cold hearts with songs of yesterday and today: the world's most beautiful melodies. This duo, that complemented each other like "two peas in a pod", sang a varied repertoire that had gasps of pleasure emanating from a "tres, tres" appreciative audience. The program started with the apropos "It's a Grand Night for Singing," followed by a Cole Porter Medley, love songs that sent chills up and down my spine; familiar arias from Verdi's "La Traviata", all time favorite "And I Love You So", interpreted like no other; another medley of Oscar winning songs - "Lullaby of Broadway," eternal "Over the Rainbow", "Wish Upon a Star", dreamlike "Love is a Many Splendored Thing", "The Way You Look Tonight", the inspirational "You'll Never Walk Alone", - and a few other classics.

An intermission followed with a classical instrumental guitar interlude by "genius on the strings" Fiscal Rav Rocamora - and then more singing, with the dynamic duo alternating back and forth with Filipiniana songs complete with baro't saya and barong attires. The program continued with an Appalachian folk medley "Summer Snow", more old standards, more "goose bumps": "Till There was You", "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes", "Go Before the Night", and my all time favorite that makes me trip down memory lane, "With a Song in My Heart." A de rigueur Spanish Medley of "Baila and Besame Mucho", complete with rhumba dancers, pleased the Spanish speaking crowd. "Con Te Partiro" ending with an instantaneous standing ovation, and yells of "bravo!" and a shower of flowers brought them back for an encore of "You Lift Me Up" a beautiful Southern Baptist Gospel song. This excellent concert would not have been possible without the stunning accompaniment by "diva of the keyboard" pianist Mary Ann Baclao and keyboardist Elman Caguindangan.

An Aliw Awardee for 2004 Best Male Classical performer, Bachelor of Music, Major in Voice graduate at the University of the Philippines, trained in the major capitals of the world and international credits that read like a glossary of superlatives, Jonathan Badon is a treasure from the rare musical mine of NegOr. An even rarer find is soprano Judge Jenny Lind Aldecoa - Delorino who comes from the illustrious lineage of Aldecoa voice giants. She dispenses justice at the Makati Regional Trial Courts during the day - and at night becomes an operatic diva!

It was a concert that will go down in the annals of Dumaguete's cultural life as one that will long be remembered. More, more, more!.....................................................NOUS!*