The Swan, The Prince and Ballet Manila: Staging ‘Swan Lake’ over the years
To say that the world’s most romantic ballet classic has become a company staple is an understatement. After all, Ballet Manila has performed Swan Lake as part of its repertoire in eleven of its 22 seasons so far.
It has staged the full-length ballet no less than 40 times – with 36 shows in the Philippines and four overseas – not including performances of the famous excerpts “White Swan adagio,” “Black Swan grand pas” and the pas de trois” which have become much anticipated numbers in company concerts both here and abroad.
And just like all those ballerinas around the world have aspired for in over a hundred years, the ladies of Ballet Manila have dreamt of that one shining moment when they can finally take on the highly coveted roles of the tragic White Swan, Odette, and her cunning doppelganger, the Black Swan Odile.
This year, as the second offering in Ballet Manila’s 22nd performance season aptly dubbed “Flights of Fantasy,” Swan Lake returns to the stage once more with three new Swans: Principal dancer Katherine Barkman, and soloists Abigail Oliveiro and Joan Emery Sia. The company promises to enchant audiences with its finest ballerinas and danseurs holding up the torch and keeping its tradition for excellence in the classics alive and well.
Tickets to Ballet Manila’s Swan Lake are available at all Ticketworld outlets; call 891-9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph. For more information, call 525-5967, visit www.balletmanila.com.ph or follow Ballet Manila on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
