Four of your most beloved ballets take front and
center stage for the 21st season of the country’s premier ballet
company
The country’s premier ballet company, Ballet Manila, is opening its 21st
season this August 2016 by paying homage to some of the acts that have laid
down the foundation of every other ballet production and have remained in the
hearts and minds of audiences across the world for generations.
Ballet Manila is founded
in 1995 by Prima Ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde and Osias Barroso, Ballet
Manila is the country’s premier classical dance company. With the mission of
connecting both ballet and the people, the company, which puts education at the
forefront of its priorities, is well-known as the only Philippine dance company
to adopt and strictly adhere to the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet style of
dancing, which is well-regarded the world over as the most disciplined and
technically-superior style. The company currently has 65 artists under its
wing, all of whom have been trained in the Vaganova Academy style of dancing.
The company boasts of a solid repertoire that consists of some of the most
technically challenging and timeless ballet favorites.
Aptly named Revenge
of the Classics, the new season will feature three classics and one
contemporary piece that has won the hearts of many Filipinos.
“Nothing beats the classics. There’s something
about classical tales and pieces that is just so magical that they stay in your
memory forever,” shares Prima Ballerina and Ballet Manila’s Artistic Director
and CEO, Lisa Macuja-Elizalde. “Technically speaking, you can’t cheat when
you’re doing the classics; there’s just no way. Revenge of the Classics invokes
the same spirit that guided us when we founded the company in 1995. My Russian
mentor, Tatiana Udalenkova, often reminded me that every season should have a
classical production because it is in doing the classics that the company
becomes strong. Our 21st season will showcase the power and grace
that enable our ballerinas and danseurs to perform these extremely difficult
classical ballet roles.”
Rebel: EDSA 30
Revenge of the Classics opens this August 19
with Rebel: EDSA 30. Choreographed by British choreographer Martin Lawrance and
featuring music from Spartacus by world-renowned Armenian composer, Aram
Khachaturian, this modern classic gained much traction when it debuted in
February because of its historical relevance and its touching combination of
nationalistic music and strong choreography. Similar to when it was last
staged, this season’s production of Rebel: EDSA 30 will feature Joanna Ampil as
the voice of Inang Bayan, and performances by the ABS-CBN Philharmonic
Orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Gerard Salonga. Rebel: EDSA 30 will be
shown at the Aliw Theater on the following dates and time: August 19, 20, and
27 at 8:00 p.m. and August 21 and 28 at 3:00 p.m.
The Swan, The Fairy and The Princess
In October, the dance company will stage The
Swan, The Fairy and The Princess, a production that showcases excerpts from
three of the most celebrated works of master composer Peter Tschaikovsky, who
has written some of the world’s most memorable and timeless ballet scores—Swan
Lake, The Nutcracker, and The Sleeping Beauty. Scores for this ballet will be
performed by no less than the Manila Symphony Orchestra under the baton of
Maestro Alexander Vikulov. Featuring performances by Kremlin Ballet Theater’s
premier danseur, Mikhail Martynyuk, and Miguel Faustmann, who will assume the
role of Peter Tchaikovsky, The Swan, The Fairy and The Princess promises a
magical experience unlike any other. Show schedules are: October 14 & 15 at
8:00 p.m. and October 16 at 3:00 p.m.
Cinderella
Another timeless tale and arguably one of the most
loved stories of all time, Cinderella, starts its run on November 25. This
enduring classic sets the stage for the world premiere of Osias Barroso and
Lisa Macuja-Elizalde’s first major choreographic work together. With a
production that promises to stay true to the animated feature that generations
of young girls and boys loved, this re-telling is perfect for anyone who is on
the search for a little bit of extra magic to usher in the holiday season. Show
dates for Cinderella at the Aliw Theater are as follows: November 25, 26 and
December 3 at 8:00 p.m. and November 27 and December 4 at 3:00 p.m.
Don Quixote
The 21st season will end with one of
the world’s most favorite classic ballets, Don Quixote. Watch the iconic
characters from the famous novel by Miguel De Cervantes come alive as the
lively ballet follows the adventures of the chivalry-obsessed Don Quixote, his
faithful servant, Sancho Panzo, and young lovers, Kitri and Basilio. Set in
Barcelona, the ballet allows everyone a glimpse of the colorful, vibrant, and
inherently romantic Spanish culture. Mikhail Martynyuk, principal danseur of
the Kremlin Ballet, once again joins Ballet Manila for this classic. Don
Quixote will be shown at the Aliw Theater this February 24 & 25, 2017 at
8:00 p.m. and February 26 at 3:00 p.m.
For more information about the shows, including
ticket prices and schedules, you may visit www.balletmanila.com.ph or follow Ballet Manila on Facebook, Twitter,
and Instagram.
Tickets are also
available through all Ticketworld outlets. Please call 891 9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph, for more information. In addition, those who
are planning to watch all the shows may take advantage of the company’s Season Subscription
Programs, which offer up to 50% discount on ticket prices. For more
information, you may visit www.ticketworld.com.ph/balletmanila/Online/ and click on
‘View Details’ under ‘Season Subscription Program’.
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