This Month in BM History: May 1996
Program cover for Carmen++, Ballet Manila’s show combining Eric V. Cruz’s Carmen with classical numbers and Filipino pieces. From the Ballet Manila Archives collection
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 entire Ballet Manila production was actually dubbed Carmen++, as it also featured classical numbers and Filipino pieces aside from Cruz’s choreography based on Bizet’s well-known opera, which in turn was inspired by a novella.
Manila Standard hails the lead dancers in Carmen, Lisa Macuja and Osias Barroso, for the integrity and conviction with which they identify with their characters. Clipping from the Ballet Manila Archives collection
In a nutshell, the gypsy Carmen seduces her captor Don Jose, only to cast him aside in favor of the bullfighter Escamillo. The spurned Don Jose flies into a rage and takes his revenge by stabbing the woman who had made him fall in love with her.
Carmen proved to be effective in its emotional intensity that it merited positive reviews in the newspapers. Jesus Q. Cruz, in the Manila Standard, noted: “The ballet essentially belongs to [Lisa] Macuja and [Osias] Barroso, almost as if it has been conceived and created for them alone – and for no other, so thoroughly do they make it their own, in the integrity and conviction with which they identify with the lovers.”
Leonor Orosa Goquingco, writing in the Philippine Star, similarly heaps praise on the pair of principal dancers for their flawless execution and formidable technique. “Macuja is seductive, slinky, exceptional. Barroso is extremely moving as the young officer who throws his honor away for love of a worthless wanton. He outdoes even his usually magnificent self…”
Goquingco, who would later be named National Artist for Dance, also offers raves for the choreographer: “Cruz’s recent and racy production… reveals a gifted and complete choreographer, one who understands music and exploits its possibilities to the whole, who exhibits unerring dramatic instincts…”
The review in Philippine Star describes: “Steamy yet never lapsing into bad taste are the love duets between Carmen and Don Jose.” Clipping from the Ballet Manila Archives collection
