Asia’s Romantic Balladeer Christian Bautista will perform for the first time in Ballet Manila’s popular series Ballet & Ballads, with music rendered by the ABS-CBN Orchestra.

Combining songs performed live by the guest singer and ballet performances by the company’s artists, this Valentine edition of Ballet & Ballads will go onstage on February 10 and 17, 6 p.m., and on February 11 and 18, 3 p.m., at Aliw Theater in Pasay City.

Bautista will interpret some of his biggest hits, with a new ballet piece being planned for his signature song The Way You Look at Me. He will also sing To Where You Are, the music used in Ballet Manila’s Love Beyond Goodbye, choreographed by Manuel Molina.

Ballet & Ballads will also feature the world premiere of British choreographer Martin Lawrance’s Aria, set to a suite of six arias sung live by classical performers. The arias are Giuseppe Verdi’s Sempre Libera (La Traviata) and Bella figlia dell’amore (Rigoletto), Georges Bizet’s Je crois entendre encor and Au fond du temple saint (The Pearl Fishers), and Giacomo Puccini’s Un bel di vedremo (Madama Butterfly), and Questo amor, vergogna mia (Edgar).

Augustus “Bam” Damian III, who has choreographed Ballet Manila staples such as M.A.Z.N., Aramica and Reconfigured, will premiere a new work for the company.

Classical ballet, Ballet Manila’s forte, will likewise be showcased with these pieces alternating in the four shows – Grand Pas Classique, Esmeralda pas de deux and Flames of Paris pas de deux.

A production of Manila Broadcasting Company and Ballet Manila, Ballet & Ballads is the brainchild of MBC chairman Fred J. Elizalde. Aside from special concert galas at Aliw Theater, various editions of the series have been presented in key cities all over the Philippines in line with BM’s mission of bringing ballet to the people.

Tickets to Ballet & Ballads are available at all Ticketworld outlets. For inquiries, call 891-9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph.