In this event we will be featuring The Manila Symphony Orchestra.

The Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is one of the oldest orchestras in Asia and the longest surviving artistic institution in the Philippines. Founded by Alexander Lippay in 1926, the orchestra played a major role in Philippine history, including acting as a symbol of resistance during the Second World War. Through the years, MSO has hosted artists such as Montserrat Caballé, Yehudi Menuhin, Igor Oistrakh, Eugene Istomin, Fou Ts’ong, Barry Tuckwell, Paul Badura-Skoda and Rony Rogoff, as well as conductors Andre Kostelanetz, Arthur Fiedler, Mendi Rodan, Robert Feist, Gareth Nair, Helen Quach, and Eduard Strauss II. Among those who have performed with the orchestra are several National Artists of the Philippines such Antonio Molina, Antonino Buenaventura, Lucio San Pedro, Ernani Cuenco Levi Celerio and Ryan Cayabyab. Today, the Manila Symphony Orchestra is one of country’s most active artistic institution, providing a variety of high-quality performances and actively supporting the development of young Filipino talents.

Music Director and Principal Conductor

Marlon Chen’s dynamic charisma and artistic versatility have seen him conduct opera, ballet, symphonic works and chamber orchestras to sold-out concert halls across four continents.

In June 2019, Marlon Chen was appointed as Manila Symphony Orchestra’s Music Director and Principal Conductor. He likewise continues his positions as Principal Guest Conductor of the Orquesta Sinfonica de la Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Hildalgo and Resident Conductor of the Aperio Ensemble in Houston, Texas. Previously he was an Associate Conductor of the Baltic Sea Philharmonic, an Assistant Conductor of the MDR Symphony Orchestra in Leipzig and an Assistant Conductor with the Orchestre de Paris. Marlon Chen appears as guest conductor on both sides of the Atlantic with many of the world’s finest orchestras including Ensemble Orchestral de Paris, National Orchestra d’ile de France, MAV Orchestra Hungary, English School of Opera Festival Orchestra London, Bulgarian State Opera, Moldova Chamber Orchestra, Winnipeg Symphony, the San Antonio Symphony, Bolivian Festival Orchestra, Singapore International Music Festival Orchestra, the Baltic Sea Philharmonic and the MDR Orchestra of Leipzig, Philharmonique de Radio France, and the Symphonic Orchestra of Natal, Brazil.

Himself a composer and arranger, Marlon Chen has performed his own works with the major orchestras he has conducted, commissioned works from composers and has conducted more than 50 premieres of contemporary compositions. Recent film projects include recording for Netflix on the award winning show Sense8 and Babylon Berlin with director Tom Tykwer.

An American-Taiwanese, Marlon Chen is fluent in English, French, Italian, Spanish and Chinese and currently resides in Houston, Texas.

Anya Evangelista is a budding musical theater artist and classical singer. She has recently graduated from the UP College of Music under the tutelage of Prof. Kitchy Valdellon-Molina and since then, has been present in various performances on stage. She made both her musical theater and opera debut in the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) playing the role of Anna Marie, in the musical adaptation of Boy Noriega Jr.’s Bayan Bayanan under the direction of internationally-acclaimed playwright and director Dr. Anton Juan, and as part of the ensemble of Turandot, which was directed by Italian Opera Director Maestro Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini.

She has also performed in several concerts, productions and collaborated with numerous artists while completing her studies in the university. Notable performances include those in the Aliw Theatre, Manila Metropolitan Theatre, UP Theatre, among others with the Ryan Cayabyab SIngers, UP Symphony Orchestra, UP Singing Ambassadors (UPSA), UP Repertory Company and other official performing groups in the university.

Anya is definitely no stranger to international competitions, having performed in international festivals around Asia and Europe as the lead soprano and soloist of UPSA. In 2018, the group participated in international competitions, bringing home 4 Grand Prizes, special awards and qualifying for the 2019 European Grand Prix for Choral Singing. Armed with great talent, Anya has demonstrated strong competitive leadership as she performed in several concerts, festivals, and competitions across cities in Europe – further evidence that this Davaoeña’s talent is definitely world-class!

A crooner all the way from Iligan City, Ralf is an old soul. He dreams of bringing Jazz music into the mainstream in the Philippines for he has a passion for the classics. He has taken inspiration of his music from musical legends like Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Andrea Bocelli and more. Fresh out from University, Ralf too a big leap to pursue his dream of performing by moving to Manila.

He has recently performed alongside respected names in the Philippine classical musci scene including Ms. Rachel Gerodias-Park, Mr. Byung-In Park, Mr. Jonathan Badon and Mr. Austine Casensas, who is also his current vocal coach. He is also one of the regular talents that perform for Chef Jessie’s Dinner Concerts, and Gallerie Joaquin’s exhibits.

She started at her craft and passion in her early years, winning many singing competitions and earning admiration from her colleagues. This much sought-after soprano siren honed her singing prowess with a scholarship at the University of Sto. Tomas Conservatory of Music, under Maestra Salvacion Oppus-Yñiguez and Mr. Eugene delos Santos.

Jen, as known to her peers, is no tyro in the entertainment industry. She has appeared in operas and musicals such as Jesus Christ Superstar in her memorable portrayal of Mary Magdalene and part of the ensemble in the production hit, Lorenzo, and opera, Marriage of Figaro, to name a few.

This girl, who can sing in 13 languages and can effortlessly switch to different styles is also an in demand wedding singer and have worked with different string ensembles. She worked for a time in the Venetian Macau juggling her schedule as an opera singer, band member, street performer, and gondolier. She was also seen in Resorts World Manila, where she performed in various production shows, and travelled as part of the 6-piece vocal harmony group Allegria, that toured Grand Hyatts in Asia.

Being the all-around performer that she is, stints include being a back up singer in Asia’s songbird Regine Velasquez’ concert R3.0, and performed with Eurovision 2013 winner, Alexander Rybak from Norway. She was also seen as Christine, Jasmine, Elsa, Grizabella, or even one of the wicked stepsisters in Moviestars Café, a mom in ADP Pharma’s touring musical theater, and a performer in Venice Grand Canal.

She was also instrumental in the Philippine’s first Idol group, MNL48’s first album and aided them in the recordings and was their voice coach for a while. Currently, she performs with a pianist in Solaire Resorts and Casino, and is the newest and only female member of the pop tenor group, The Angelos.