Viola de Gamba player holds successful concert in Angeles

ANGELES CITY -- A world renowned “Viola de Gamba” player and professor of classical music in Rome, Italy recently wrapped up a successful show at the Hotel EuroAsia in Don Juico Avenue, Malabanias Road, this city.

Maestro Bruno Re gave a modest number of guests and spectators at the Hotel EuroAsia’s 200-seater function hall a chance to be moved by his expertise of the said instrument.

He performed a handful of melodies inspired by the stories and musical pieces of Scottish composer Tobias Hume.

The performance was divided into five suites -- each portrayed by a unique feel, tempo and rhythm. Guests were lulled into silence by pieces such as “Touch Me Lightly” and “Love’s Farewell” while some tapped their feet to the upbeat fares of “The Spirit of Gamba” and “A Soldier’s Resolution”.

In each interval, Re would explain to his audience what the Viola de Gamba is, how it has lost its popularity for over 250 years, and how they are trying to revive it.

According to Elizabeth Timbol, owner of Hotel EuroAsia, they are currently in the talk of inviting Re again for another dinner-concert.

“With the surprising amount of support shown by our guests, we are highly considering the possibility of having the maestro again – this time at a grander scale,” said Timbol.

After the concert presentation, the guests were treated to a lavish Italian dinner courtesy of Il Giglio Rosso and its executive chef Luca Maximo Magnini.

Guests indulged in the foreign and exquisite tastes of Italy with dishes such as the Minestrone Soup (thick soup made with vegetables and other spices), Penne Amatriciana (pancetta lathered in lush Italian tomato sauce), Pesce Alverde (grilled fish fillets dribbled with green herb sauce) and crowd favorite Chicken Cacciatora (chicken stew with black and green olives covered in tomato sauce). These were all greatly complemented with bottles of Italian champagne and Pannacota custard, a famous Italian dessert known for its soft and creamy texture.

Bruno Re is currently a professor at the Saint Cecilia Music Conservatory in Rome. He has made about thirty recordings as a soloist with various chamber ensembles, orchestras and for baroque music – all recorded with several international music labels.

Re is also an active music journalist and in charge of the classical music section of Italian magazine Suono.