Opera singers doing Taylor Swift and Madonna?
Outside the Opera Haus in Makati, headquarters of the Philippine Opera Company (POC), the noon sun was scorching; a definite sign that summer is coming. Inside, it was a different, much cooler story. The third batch of The Opera Belles—POC’s crossover initiative—was ready to douse the heat with their expressive vocal agility.
After a six-year hiatus, The Opera Belles introduced their newest members: Nicolah Lim, Sheena Bentoy and Daniella Silab.
The trio of dynamic young sopranos, clad in knee-high boots and sparkly white outfits, commanded the space. They were there to officially launch their first single, In The Mood. But first, appetites had to be whetted.
They started off with a sweet rendition of You’ll Be in My Heart from Disney’s Tarzan, effectively establishing that they, in fact, deserved to be there. Fully warmed up, the trio then unleashed their powerful pipes with Never Enough from The Greatest Showman.
The stage was set for the first live performance of In The Mood, a mix of pop and opera with a bit of rap thrown in, which is now available on Spotify. Following the number was the song’s official music video, which perfectly captured the confluence of the genres that the Belles specialize in.
A new era
The Opera Belles was originally created to bring opera and classical music closer to mainstream audiences. POC wanted to nurture talented young singers and help them build sustainable and successful singing careers.
Karla Gutierrez, founder and artistic director of POC, explained why it took six years to launch this third batch of The Opera Belles: POC held no auditions. Each of the girls was handpicked after a long selection process.
“The challenge in forming a new batch of Opera Belles was finding artists who not only have the right vocal timbre but also the charisma, stage presence and versatility to sing and dance with ease,” said Gutierrez. “This new trio brings a vibrant, contemporary appeal while staying true to the elegance and artistry of classical singing.” Gutierrez was looking for young, talented singers and dancers who not only felt comfortable performing but could also engage audiences.
Over the years, the group has enchanted listeners through corporate events, concerts and special performances, seamlessly blending sophisticated vocals with contemporary tweaks.
This newest batch continues the group’s tradition of reimagining modern pop songs with a classical twist while infusing their unique personalities and styles.
Daniella has been singing since she was three. She pursued classical voice studies at the Philippine High School for the Arts under Prof. Cecilia Valeña. Daniella continued studying voice through college, still under her professor, earning a bachelor of music degree with a major in vocal performance at the University of the Philippines College of Music Diliman.
“I joined Opera Belles because I see it as a unique opportunity and platform to bridge the gap between classical and pop music,” Daniella said. “Joining this group also gives me the chance to collaborate with other talented musicians, which I find incredibly inspiring and fulfilling.”
Nicolah, who was performing with her church choir when Gutierrez discovered her, credits the choir and her school for helping shape her love for singing and performing. She wrote The Opera Belles’ first single, with much input from Daniella and Sheena.
“I have always had a deep passion for singing and performing because I find joy in creating moments that make people happy,” said Nicolah.
As the youngest in the group, Sheena has had much experience performing onstage. In 2016, she was the Girl Grand Winner of SM Little Stars, a kiddie talent search. She also played Young Nala in the Manila production of The Lion King.
“Singing has always been a way for me to express myself and connect with others,” Sheena said. “Joining this singing group feels like the next step in my journey—a place where I can further nurture my talent, be part of a supportive community, and share my love for music with people who feel the same way.”
A breath of fresh tunes
With The Opera Belles, classical music and contemporary pop don’t just coexist; they merge. The group pushes the boundaries of musical genres, able to perform hits from pop artists such as Taylor Swift, Madonna and Miley Cyrus, but they’re also capable of belting out arias effortlessly. In the coming months, they will be performing in exclusive concerts, giving corporate performances, and starring in major productions.
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For bookings and inquiries, please contact the Philippine Opera Company at 0917-645 2946 or email karlagutzpoc@gmail.com. Stay updated by following and Philippine Opera Company on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
