MADZ’s goodwill tour goes to Lisbon

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Madrigal Singers (also known as MADZ) performed a series of concerts in Lisbon as part of their 2012 European Goodwill Concert Tour last Oct. 10, 12 and 13, the Philippine Embassy in Lisbon reported.

Ambassador-designate to the Portuguese Republic Philippe Jones Lhuillier gave brief remarks before the inspiring performance of MADZ at the Sala dos Espelhos of the Palácio Foz on Oct. 10.

Lhuillier, who just arrived in Lisbon on Oct. 8 and presented his open-letter of credentials the following day, met for the first time the members of the diplomatic corps, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and acquaintances from the socio-cultural institutions, media and the academe who were present to grace the event. 

The audience appreciated the musical talent and performance of the premier and one of the oldest choral groups in the Philippines. A reception hosted by the ambassador followed shortly after the concert.

The MADZ held back-to-back concerts with the Coro de Câmara de Lisboa (Chamber Choir of Lisbon) under the baton of Prof. Teresita Marques, founder and director of Lisbon’s National Conservatory’s chamber choir and former member of the UP Madrigal Singers, at the lavish baroque 18th-century Basílica dos Mártires on Oct. 12.

A special concert under the sponsorship of the Missionaries of the Divine Word headed by Filipino chaplain Fr. Jovito Osalvo was also held on Oct. 13 at the grounds of the Seminario do Verdo Divino (SVD). 

Missionaries, members of the Filipino community in Lisbon, Portuguese friends and music enthusiasts attended the event. 

Lhuillier commended the group’s performances in Lisbon during a merienda cena hosted by the embassy. 

“The Philippine Embassy is extremely grateful that the Philippine Madrigal Singers chose the city of Lisbon as one of the performance destinations of their 2012 European Tour because it supports our efforts to promote our culture and way of life, and at the same time, succeed in building closer and harmonious ties of friendship with the Portuguese people. Without doubt, the concerts of the Philippine Madrigal Singers have brought to Portuguese audiences the best of our cultural and artistic heritage,” Lhuillier said.

“I am personally very proud of your individual role as a member of this illustrious choir and I hope that you will continue to show the world the beauty of our beloved Philippines through your exquisite singing,” he added, thanking the members of the world-class Filipino a cappella chorale under the direction of Mark Anthony Carpio.

The MADZ is one of the oldest choirs in the Philippines and one of the most awarded in the world, having won all of the top prizes in most of the world´s prestigious choral competitions. 

The group first performed in Lisbon in the 1970s when there was no existing Philippine diplomatic mission to Portugal, and has only now returned to sing in Lisbon through the initiatives of the Philippine Embassy.

The valuable support of Palácio Foz, Paróquia dos Mártires and Missionários do Verbo Divino and Gabinete para os Meios de Comunicação Social (GMCS) is vital in stimulating and promoting artistic creation and full recognition of the Philippines’ cultural value and heritage preservation and conservation efforts in the field of music and the arts warmly accepted by the Portuguese audience.