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.
In October 1995, Ballet Manila also danced at an unconventional hour – at 12 high noon!
Having recently wrapped up their latest staging of Le Corsaire – the eighth time in 20 years – Ballet Manila co-artistic director Osias “Shaz” Barroso sits down for an interview to look back at the company’s history with the colorful pirate epic.
For its third offering in its 23rd performance season, Ballet Manila is bringing back Lisa Macuja-Elizalde's Cinderella.
Before and after class and rehearsals, you will often find dancers warming up or cooling down.
Every dashing pirate needs a malevolent villain and the epic ballet Le Corsaire is no exception.
Ballet Manila principal dancer Abigail Oliveiro has come full circle now that she’s making her debut as Medora, the female lead in the pirate epic Le Corsaire.
What gives this adventure ballet its heart is the friendship between the two female leads: Medora and Gulnara.
While it seems almost impossible to imagine Conrad without Ali, the original Le Corsaire choreographed by Joseph Mazillier does not include the loyal sidekick.
Pia says the pirate ballet also demands its female leads to be completely warmed up as soon as they enter the stage.
Despite being the ultimate damsel in distress in the world of ballet, the character of Medora is considered among the most sought-after roles in classical dance.
Asked to expound on what makes Ali so enjoyable to dance, Geri first points out that adventure ballets are more his thing rather than those that are centered on royalty.
When she finally processed that she was going to dance Gulnara in a full-length production of Le Corsaire, she had goosebumps all over.
Ballet Manila has performed the full-length Le Corsaire as part of its regular season on seven occasions.
Though seen by many as the production that almost ended his dancing days, what Romeo's first Le Corsaire really did for him is to see ballet as a serious endeavor from start to finish.
Ballet Manila’s Jamil Montibon is no stranger to the camera, as his life story is essentially a modern take on the rags-to-riches tale.
A grand plié is a plié with the full bend of the knees until the thighs are horizontal with the floor.
Principal dancer Abigail “Abi” Oliveiro – who took on the lead role as the Ibong Adarna – details her personal experiences and insights about the company’s time in Israel.
Ballet Manila has been indulging in this pirate adventure since 1998 when the company first performed Le Corsaire with the Krasnoyarsk Ballet as part of the third season.
Ballet Manila brings back the thrilling pirate caper Le Corsaire as the second offering in its “Tour de Force” 23rd performance season.
