Marilag Odtohan

Arthur Espiritu returns home for first all-kundiman concert with Stefanie Quintin-Avila, Najib Ismael

In an evening that promises to blend music and national pride, acclaimed Filipino-American tenor Arthur Espiritu takes center stage in his first-ever all-kundiman concert, “Mga Awit ng Pag-ibig at Kundiman,” on May 14, 2026 at Gallery MiraNila in Quezon City.

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<p>In an evening that promises to blend music and national pride, acclaimed Filipino-American tenor Arthur Espiritu takes center stage in his first-ever all-kundiman concert, “Mga Awit ng Pag-ibig at Kundiman,” on May 14 at Gallery MiraNila in Quezon City.</p><p>Joined by award-winning soprano Stefanie Quintin-Avila and celebrated pianist Najib Ismail, the trio will pay tribute to the legacy of Ambassador Tomas C. Benitez, a known lover of kundiman, while also shining spotlight on the enduring beauty of Filipino musical heritage.</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17769313037691000036021.jpg" style="width:750px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>The event is presented by the MiraNila Heritage House &amp; Library in partnership with Gallery MiraNila by The Blue Leaf, with support from MiraNamin Nest and the Philippine-Italian Association.</p><p>At its heart is a curated program drawn from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts’ (NCAA) newly recorded 13-track archive — its first major initiative with the Manila Chamber Orchestra Foundation. The initiative aims to digitally preserve Filipino classics through performances by some of the country’s finest voices, ensuring that kundiman continues to resonate with new generations.</p><p>The repertoire traces the evolution of kundiman from patriotic beginnings to zarzuela, romantic ballads, and modern art songs. Works by composers such as Nicanor Abelardo, Francisco Santiago, Constancio de Guzman, Ernani Cuenco, Levi Celerio, and Augusto Espino, among other pillars of Filipino music, form the backbone of the celebration — each piece reflecting a chapter in the nation’s musical identity. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>World-class artists on one stage</strong><br/><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17769313833291000036023.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">(From left to right) Arthur Espiritu, Stefanie Quintin-Avila, and Najib Ismail to headline the all-kundiman concert at MiraNila House in Quezon City on May 14, 2026. </span></span></span></div><p>Fresh from his performance as Vladimir in Borodin’s “Prince Igor” at the Munich Opera House, Espiritu brings home his signature spinto tenor—  renowned for its brilliance and emotional power. A recipient of the George London Award and the Scala Award at the Belvedere Competition in Vienna, his career has spanned leading opera houses across North America, Europe, and Asia. As one critic once wrote, “When Arthur Espiritu sings, heaven opens up.”</p><p>Quintin-Avila, known for her stylistic versatility and expressive clarity, reunites with Espiritu following their widely praised 2024 collaboration. A recipient of the Delphic Lyra Award and multiple international citations, she is set to appear at the Gleam International Early Music Festival with Belgium’s In Alto Ensemble in June 2026.</p><p>Completing the trio is Ismail — one of the Philippines’ most respected pianists — anchors the special evening with his refined musicianship, honed through a global career spanning Europe, Asia, and Australia. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>A fundraising event for heritage conservation</strong></div><p>Beyond its artistic ambitions, the concert carries a deeper purpose. All proceeds will support the MiraNila Conservation Program, which has long been dedicated to restoring vulnerable artworks and safeguarding the historic estate. Following severe flooding in 2025 that threatened the integrity of the nearly century-old house, conservation efforts have expanded to include critical structural repairs.</p><p>Built in 1929, MiraNila stands as a rare example of prewar Philippine architecture, with its elegant interiors and lush gardens offering a glimpse into the country’s genteel Commonwealth-era life. Spanning nearly a century, it has borne witness to events and personalities that defined moments in Philippine history — from the writing of three national constitutions to wartime occupation and postwar cultural movement.</p><p>In 2011, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines formally acknowledged MiraNila’s cultural and historic significance with a plaque.</p><p>For one night, this storied space becomes the stage for a different kind of history — one carried through music, memory, and the enduring language of kundiman. </p>

<p>In an evening that promises to blend music and national pride, acclaimed Filipino-American tenor Arthur Espiritu takes center stage in his first-ever all-kundiman concert, “Mga Awit ng Pag-ibig at Kundiman,” on May 14, 2026 at Gallery MiraNila in Quezon City.</p>

Arthur Espiritu returns home for first all-kundiman concert with Stefanie Quintin-Avila, Najib Ismail

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Arthur Espiritu returns home for first all-kundiman concert with Stefanie Quintin-Avila, Najib Ismail

Marilag Odtohan,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 23, 2026 04:18 PM PHT

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Arthur Espiritu

Opera

Kundiman

Concert

MiraNila Heritage House & Library

Stefanie Quintin-Avila

Najib Ismail

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