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.
Marius Petipa’s Don Quixote (1869) represents the choreographer’s knowledge of Spanish dance and culture which he gleaned from three years spent in Spain.
The masked Roman soldiers, called Morions, would roam the streets to relate the story of the centurion Longinus who is said to have pierced the side of the crucified Jesus with a spear and was supposedly healed by the blood of Jesus.
Indeed, a well-nourished body and a determined mindset are keeping Eva light on her toes and ready for her roles.
“It’s just me who thinks that I can’t do it. So I’m stopping myself from exploring more.”
In this clip are principal dancer Jasmine Pia Dames, soloist Jessa Balote, and former Ballet Manila dancers Tiffany Chiang-Janolo and Heewon Cho in the 2017 production of Swan Lake.
The feisty and spirited Kitri – a prized role for ballerinas the world over – is known in the novel as Quiteria.
Ballet Manila soloist Anselmo Dictado is one of those who can’t imagine himself doing anything aside from dancing; but since the COVID-19 pandemic happened, he was forced to take on other paths.
Discover the many roles of Rissa May Camaclang, soloist of Ballet Manila.
A dancer, if she is great, can give to the people something that they can carry with them forever. They can never forget it, and it has changed them, though they may never know it.
From ballet blanc (white ballet) to The Beatles – this was the powerhouse combination of Ballet Manila’s 23rd season-ender in March 2019 entitled Deux.
In the ballet’s story, he travels with his trusty squire, Sancho Panza, and along the way meets the innkeeper Lorenzo’s daughter, Kitri, whom he mistakes for his ideal woman, Dulcinea.
In this clip is principal dancer Abigail Oliveiro as the feisty Mercedes in Ballet Manila’s 2017 production of Don Quixote.
Lisa Macuja-Elizalde and Osias Barroso first performed as Kitri and Basilio in Krasnoyarsk, Russia in 1992.
In this clip, we revisit this moment of triumph when Ballet Manila opened its 25th season on its 28th year with Martin Lawrance’s Romeo & Juliet.
To touch, to move, to inspire. This is the true gift of dance.
In this clip from 2019, the corps de ballet of Ballet Manila – women warriors in their own right – perform as the Amazonas of Gerardo Francisco Jr.’s Ibong Adarna.
Since returning, Rissa May has been adjusting quite well to the daily Vaganova classes she was once used to.
