At the Philippine Opera Company in Makati City on April 21, 2026, the media launch of Master Class unfolded not just as a preview of a stage production but as a candid reflection on where opera stands today—and where it is trying to go.
Led by POC CEO Ms. Karla Gutierrez, the event introduced Terrence McNally’s Tony Award-winning Master Class, starring Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo as Maria Callas, Arman Ferrer as Anthony, and directed by Jaime del Mundo, with members of the Philippine Opera Company cast offering a brief but powerful live excerpt that immediately set the tone for the gathering.
Before the discussions began, the performance itself already made its point. Even in a short segment, the intensity of live opera filled the room—unfiltered, immediate, and deeply human. It was enough to quiet the space and remind everyone present that opera, at its core, is an experience that exists only in the moment it is performed.
The conversation that followed, however, expanded beyond the production itself.
Ms. Karla Gutierrez spoke openly about the realities facing opera in the Philippines. While Master Class forms part of POC’s 25th anniversary celebration, she did not shy away from the challenges behind the milestone. She shared that there were moments when sustaining the company itself felt uncertain, especially amid declining audience numbers.
Her reflections extended beyond the local stage. During her time with LA Opera, she learned that the struggle is global, audiences for opera are shrinking in many parts of the world, prompting companies to rethink how the art form is sustained and passed on.
For POC, that reflection led to a clear shift in direction: education and youth engagement.
Rather than focusing solely on traditional audiences, the company is now placing greater emphasis on students, viewing them as the next generation of opera supporters and performers. For Ms. Karla, the future of opera depends on early exposure—on creating experiences that allow younger audiences to discover its relevance before it fades into unfamiliarity.
The discussion also turned toward a more contemporary concern: artificial intelligence.
@lionheartv As AI continues to reshape the creative industry, Arman Ferrer weighs in on its place in the world of Opera. For Ferrer, the magic lies in the physical presence and the authentic human vibration felt during a live performance. According to him, the value of opera is tied to the singer’s humanity—arguing that the prestige of the art form relies on a live experience that an algorithm can’t simulate and an audience won’t buy into. ️️ #MasterClass #POCMasterClass #LionHearTV #RAWRNation #PhilippineOpera ♬ original sound – LIONHEARTV
Arman Ferrer, who portrays Anthony in Master Class, addressed the growing presence of AI in creative industries. His response was firm and grounded in experience. While acknowledging technological advancement, he emphasized that opera cannot be replaced by artificial intelligence.
For Ferrer, the essence of opera lies in its physicality—the breath of the singer, the emotional strain of performance, and the unmistakable presence of a human voice filling a shared space. He noted that audiences do not come to opera simply to hear music but to witness it live, where imperfection and emotion coexist in real time. In his view, human presence is something no algorithm can replicate or substitute.
That perspective echoed quietly throughout the event, especially as attention returned to Master Class itself.
The production centers on the iconic figure of Maria Callas, portrayed by Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, under the direction of Jaime del Mundo. As a work, it delves into the discipline, pressure, and emotional cost of artistic excellence, where mastery is never separated from sacrifice.
@lionheartv The Future of Opera: A Global Challenge. During an exclusive preview of the Philippine Opera Company’s upcoming production of Master Class, a candid reality was shared: promoting opera in the Philippines remains a steep uphill battle. This isn’t just a local hurdle—discussions with LA Opera reveal a worldwide shift in the industry. The consensus? A vital need to “reprogram” and pivot focus toward students. By cultivating the next generation of performers and audiences, the industry aims to ensure that the grandeur of opera finds its place in the modern world. #MasterClass #POCMasterClass #LionHearTV #RAWRNation #PhilippineOpera ♬ original sound – LIONHEARTV
Even in its preview form, the piece carried weight. It did not rely on spectacle but on intensity—on dialogue, performance, and the emotional precision demanded by its subject matter.
As details of the production were shared, including its role in POC’s 25th anniversary lineup, the broader intention became clearer. This revival is not only a celebration of a landmark work but also a reaffirmation of opera’s continued relevance in a rapidly changing cultural landscape.
By the end of the launch, what remained was not just anticipation for a performance, but a deeper awareness of what opera is trying to preserve. In an era shaped by shrinking audiences and advancing technology, the message from Makati was steady and consistent: opera endures not because it adapts away from its essence, but because it holds on to it.
And in that essence—live voice, shared space, and human presence—the Philippine Opera Company continues to find both its challenge and its purpose. (with reports from Lau Balocos)
