The Ballet Manila Archives is the repository of documents, print, photographic, audio and video materials and memorabilia relating to the history of Ballet Manila and the life and career of its founder, prima ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde. This site is powered by Ms. Elizalde and Project Art, Inc.
All in This Month In BM History
On April 19, Ballet Manila’s delegation of four joined their colleagues in the Rising Stars Gala at the historic Hermitage Theater.
In March 1995, barely a month after its formal launching concert, Ballet Manila embarked on a performance tour of Mindanao – specifically in the provinces of Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato.
Ballet Manila’s season-opener in February 2000 was doubly special as it was not only Valentine month but also the company’s fifth anniversary.
In 1998, it would find another unusual venue in Star City, an amusement park more used to hosting pop music or dance fare.
Ballet Manila Dances was apparently the first classical ballet performance held in Zamboanga in more than 25 years.
With Osias Barroso’s Pinocchio choreography for BM already popular since the original premiered in 2002, the company decided to extend and upgrade the production.
With many interpretations by various companies since its premiere in France in 1789, Ballet Manila came up with its own with no less than People’s Artist of Russia Sergey Vikulov as choreographer.
Staging the full-length Don Quixote in 1999 – just two years after its founding – was a major achievement for Ballet Manila given its still modest size then.
Just like the popular Filipino shaved-ice dessert it was named after, Ballet Manila’s Halo-Halo Supreme in August 2008 proved to be a delectable treat.
Touted as the “most popular ballet roadshow ever,” Ballet & Ballads headed for Northern Luzon in July 1998 for a show at the Don Alipio Fernandez Astrodome in Dagupan City, Pangasinan.
East Meets West was a major event for the 113th observance of Philippine Independence, with the Philippine Embassy in London and The International Society of London as presentors of the show’s UK leg.
Carmen, the tale of tragedy and passion interpreted in dance by Ballet Manila artistic director Eric V. Cruz, went centerstage at the appropriately intimate Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater) in May 1, 1996.
The festival – dubbed Shwak! Buhay na ang SuBAC – kicked off on April 16 with a motorcade followed by ribbon-cutting rites, the blessing and a theater tour of SuBAC, and cocktails.
For the double bill that was Carmina Burana & La Traviata – new choreographies based on familiar music and material – the premiere would be at the Samsung Hall of SM Aura, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
In 2012, a trio of such choreographies premiered as part of the production dubbed Lab Ko ‘To.
Ballet Manila brought one of its treasured classics to Pampanga in January 2010.
Ballet Manila’s performance run of The Nutcracker in 2013 was special as it was tied in with artistic director and prima ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde’s Swan Song Series.
A popular fairy tale transformed into a 21st century reality show – that is Ballet Manila’s Sinderela which had its world premiere in 2012.
Dance with me showcased nearly 30 photographs measuring 20” x 30”, each one focusing on movement rather than on poses.
La Bayadere (The Water Bearer or The Temple Dancer) was brought to the stage by Ballet Manila in all its intrigue-filled glory in September 2004 at Aliw Theater.
