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Evelyn Mandac: The Filipina Soprano Who Broke Opera Glass Ceilings

Considered a Living Legend by many Filipinos, Evelyn Mandac was the first, and still is the only, Filipina to sing major roles at the Metropolitan Opera. As the fourth Asian principal at the prestigious opera house, she was also the first to sing a non-Asian role there. Moreover, she broke the glass ceiling by performing not only leading roles in standard repertoire but also in operas by significant 20th century composers. Of these twenty-eight principal roles, five were American premieres and two World premieres. The latter were inspired by and written for her voice and dramatic prowess. She has performed at major companies worldwide, in various prestigious music festivals, under famous conductors, and with prominent opera singers during her illustrious career. She also made her TV debut appearance in the first opera adaptation made for the National Education Television. A young Filipina with little opera experience, she managed to break invisible barriers in the opera world in the late 1960s and beyond. Through personal interviews, her artist files from various opera houses, extensive research of reviews, images, and audiovisuals, this presentation aims to explore Evelyn Mandac as soprano, performer, and loving mentor. As Asian and minority women empowering themes gain importance in today’s social landscape, the story of Evelyn Mandac becomes more significant to share, record, and document.

  • Chiara Cox
    Director
  • Chiara Cox
    Producer
  • Chiara Cox
    Writer
  • Chiara Cox
    Editor
  • Evelyn Mandac
    Key Cast
    "Opera Singer"
  • Chiara Cox
    Key Cast
    "Narrator"
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    23 minutes 18 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 11, 2024
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Archival material
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Sound Check! A Festival of Asian American Music, Sound, and Scholarship by the Music of Asia American Research Center in partnership with the Wing Luke Museum
    Seattle, WA
    United States
    May 11, 2024
    Online Festival Screening
    Official Selection
  • Chiara Cox presents Evelyn Mandac: The Filipina Soprano Who Broke Opera Glass Ceilings
    Columbia, SC
    United States
    May 14, 2024
    South Carolina Premiere
  • Evelyn Mandac Kundiman Masterclass at the Philippine Consulate in New York City
    New York
    United States
    May 29, 2025
    New York Premiere
    By Invitation from the New York Philippine Consulate
  • Diwa Filipino Film Festival of Seattle
    Des Moines, WA
    United States
    October 3, 2025
    Seattle Premiere
    Official Selection
Distribution Information
  • YouTube
    Distributor
    Country: Worldwide
Director Biography - Chiara Cox

Chiara is a multidisciplinary communications creative with projects focusing on diasporic themes that aim to spread positivity, inspire pride, and spark curiosity. You can find her on www.chiaracox.com.

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Director Statement

I cried for hours when I listened to the bootleg recording of Evelyn Mandac's "Lascia ch'io pianga." Her voice affected me in a way that made me feel sad, happy, loneliness, hope, and a longing for home all at the same time. I knew I wanted her to be my voice teacher. One day, after a lesson, she told me that most of her family's memorabilia of her career had been lost. Upset, I took it upon myself to embark on three years of research which included conducting personal interviews, online database searches, and communicating with archive departments. Although my goal from the outset was to one day write a book, I had the opportunity to give a virtual lecture on her legendary career at the 2024 Sound Check! A Festival of Asian American Music, Sound, and Scholarship on May 11, 2024. That lecture evolved naturally into this documentary short, which was screened a second time a few days later in Columbia, South Carolina when Ms. Mandac had an in-person audience with the Filipino American Association of Greater Columbia on May 14, 2024. It has since been viewed worldwide over 3,600 times.

The New York Premiere was held at the Kalayaan Hall at the Philippine Consulate to celebrate Philippine Heritage Month on 29th May 2025. The screening was followed by a Q&A, then a Masterclass on Kundiman, a genre of Filipino Art Songs, by Evelyn Mandac.