Franco-Belgian Cellist Camille Thomas Joins Manila Symphony Orchestra for Centennial Concert
Last Updated on October 22, 2026 by Over Here Toronto
Franco-Belgian cellist Camille Thomas joins the Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO) tonight, October 22, for a concert that combines classical works with new Filipino music. The performance marks the orchestra’s fifth centennial concert and features the world premiere of Pasasalamat, a new composition by National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab with text by National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario.
The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Proscenium Theater in Rockwell, Makati City. Under the direction of MSO Principal Conductor Marlon Chen, the program also includes music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Gabriel Fauré.
Camille Thomas Performs Tchaikovsky With the MSO
Thomas will take the solo spotlight in Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33. Written in 1876, the work draws on the style of the Classical period while giving the cello a demanding solo part.
The piece moves through a theme and a series of variations, allowing the soloist to shift between lyrical passages and technically challenging sections. As a result, it gives audiences an opportunity to hear Thomas’s range as a performer alongside the full orchestra.
Thomas has performed with orchestras and conductors across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. She has also worked with Deutsche Grammophon since 2017, building an international recording career alongside her concert performances.
Her Manila appearance forms part of the MSO’s 2026–2027 centennial season. Founded in 1926, the orchestra is marking 100 years of performances and contributions to Philippine musical life.
Readers can find more about Thomas and her upcoming performances on her official concert schedule.
Ryan Cayabyab and Virgilio S. Almario Premiere Pasasalamat
Another major part of the evening is Pasasalamat, a new work commissioned by the MSO for its centennial. Cayabyab composed the music, while Almario wrote the text.
The composition explores gratitude as both a personal feeling and a responsibility to others. In particular, Almario’s words reflect on compassion, respect for differences, freedom, justice, culture, and knowledge. The text also considers the importance of accepting criticism and embracing change.
Through this new commission, the MSO adds a Filipino work to its centennial program instead of relying solely on established classical repertoire. The premiere also brings together two National Artists whose work spans music and literature.
The Polytechnic University of the Philippines’ Bagong Himig Serenata will perform as the featured choir. Its participation connects the orchestra with a Filipino choral group for a program that places local creative work alongside European compositions.
For more on the concert’s Filipino composers and performers, read the coverage from Hello MNL.
Fauré’s Requiem Closes the Evening
The concert will conclude with Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem, Op. 48, performed by the MSO and PUP Bagong Himig Serenata.
Unlike some large-scale settings of the Requiem, Fauré’s work takes a more restrained approach to music about death and remembrance. Its melodies focus on peace, comfort, and rest, giving the concert a reflective ending.
The performance will also feature Filipino baritenor Ruzzel Clemeno as baritone soloist and Filipino soprano Angeli Benipayo as soprano soloist.
Together, the three main works give the program a mix of solo performance, choral music, and a new Filipino composition. Meanwhile, Chen will lead the orchestra through the different musical styles as part of its year-long centennial celebration.
MSO Centennial Concert V Takes Place in Makati
The concert forms part of the Manila Symphony Orchestra’s 100th anniversary season, which celebrates the institution’s history while bringing new works and international performers to local audiences.
The Manila Symphony Orchestra Foundation, Inc. and Standard Insurance present the concert. EastWest Bank and DENZA Alabang by ACMobility Premium Dealership Inc. serve as co-presenters.
For concertgoers planning to attend, here are the main details:
- Event: MSO Centennial Concert V — Camille Thomas with the Manila Symphony Orchestra
- Date: Thursday, October 22, 2026
- Time: 7:30 p.m.
- Venue: Proscenium Theater, Rockwell Center, Makati City
- Tickets: ₱1,000 to ₱5,000
- Discounts: Codes are available for students, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and diplomats, subject to the ticketing terms.
Interested audiences can check the official TicketWorld listing for ticket availability and booking details. They can also visit the Manila Symphony Orchestra’s official website for information about its centennial season.
With Thomas performing Tchaikovsky, Cayabyab and Almario introducing a new Filipino work, and Fauré bringing the program to a close, the concert brings international classical repertoire and Philippine artistry together for the MSO’s milestone season.
