TEHRAN – The Istgah Orchestra, an Iranian ensemble led by conductor Mehdi Noruzi, performed on Saturday during a celebration of the 123rd anniversary of the Philippine Independence Day in Tehran.

Some compositions by Filipino musicians were performed during the celebration, held at the Philippine Embassy, ​​the orchestra announced on its Instagram account.

The Istgah Orchestra accompanied the world-renowned French pianist Richard Clayderman during his concerts at the Great Hall of the Ministry of Interior in Tehran in June 2018.

The ensemble also collaborated with Iranian director Omidreza Sepehri and his troupe to stage a musical adaptation of American director Tim Burton’s 2005 animation “Corpse Bride” at the Espinas Palace Hotel in Tehran in May 2019.

He also appeared in director Ahmad Soleimani’s musical adaptation of Australian-English writer Pamela Lyndon Travers’ “Mary Poppins” series at Vahdat Hall in Tehran in November 2019.

This year the Philippines celebrated their 123rd year of independence from Spanish rule with the theme “Spirit of Freedom for National Unity and Healing”.

In his brief speech, Philippine Ambassador Wilfredo C. Santos welcomed Iranian guests and Filipino expatriates attending the show, and stressed the need to empathize with each other during the pandemic.

Independence Day, also known as “Freedom Day” by Filipinos, is an annual national holiday in the country observed on June 12, commemorating the Philippines’ declaration of independence from Spain in 1898.

This year’s day celebration also coincided with the Mactan Victory 500th anniversary festivals.

The Battle of Mactan was a fierce clash in the Philippines on April 27, 1521. The warriors of Lapulapu, one of the Datus of Mactan, subdued and defeated a Spanish force fighting for Rajah Humabon of Cebu under the command of the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, who was killed in the battle. The outcome of the battle led to the temporary departure of the Spanish crew from the archipelago.

Photo: This file photo shows the Istgah Orchestra performing with French pianist Richard Clayderman during a concert at the Great Hall of the Interior Ministry in Tehran on June 27, 2018.

MMS / YAW