Opera Belles: A new generation of classical crossover stars

The Philippine Opera Company (POC), headed by its artistic director Karla Gutierrez, has officially launched the latest batch of Opera Belles, an all-female singing group that merges operatic vocals with theatrical and pop influences.

- By CARLO OROSA

The newest members — Nicolah Lim, Sheena Bentoy and Daniella Silab — took the center stage, performing a three-song set that highlighted their rich classical timbre, their ability to blend genres seamlessly, and their stage presence and movement that exuded both elegance and charm.

What makes the third batch of Opera Belles particularly exciting is their shared passion for the performing arts. Beyond their collective ambition as singers, each of these women harbors dreams that extend into various facets of the industry — be it opera, Broadway, creative direction or film directing.

Their aspirations reflect the evolving landscape of the performing arts, where versatility and adaptability are just as crucial as raw talent.

For now, however, Nicolah, Sheena and Daniella are dedicating themselves to mastering the art of performance under the prestigious Opera Belles banner. The unique ensemble challenges its members to not only sing but also to embody grace, personality and movement, making them well-rounded performers.

To mark the beginning of their journey, the group also introduced a brand-new original song, titled In The Mood, composed by Nicolah and produced by Paolo Zarate, along with an accompanying music video — a bold step in establishing their identity in the Philippine music scene.