This Month in BM History: October 1997
Leaflet for the New Orleans shows feature a photograph of Ballet Manila soloists (from left) Pamela Asprer and Ianne Damian and principals Osias Barroso and Lisa Macuja. From the Ballet Manila Archives collection
A year after their first foray to the United States, the 15-member Ballet Manila was back for another tour with stops this time in Washington DC, St. Louis, Memphis, New Orleans, Detroit and Cleveland.
An item published The Times-Picayune reports on Ballet Manila’s visit to the Lyons Recreation Center for an outreach recital for the New Orleans Recreation Department. From the Ballet Manila Archives collection
The New Orleans leg was special as it was a return engagement that local organizers – led by the Philippine Society for the Performing Arts, Loyola University and New Orleans Arts Council – were enthusiastic about.
The visit was made more thrilling as members of the New Orleans-based Loyola Ballet – a group formed in 1965 consisting of preparatory program participants and Loyola students and graduates – were cast in Ballet Manila’s production of Carmen.
“Our dancers have grown both culturally and as performers through this unique experience, and they have been particularly touched by the enthusiasm of ballerina and artistic director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde who has shared her love of dance with us,” wrote organizers in welcome remarks in the show’s souvenir program.
Apart from the fiery ballet adaptation of Carmen, with choreography by BM artistic director Eric V. Cruz, the two-night program in New Orleans also featured a selection of classical pieces (Diane and Acteon, Grande Pas Classique) and Filipino originals (Edna Vida’s Flux, Manuel Molina’s Romance and Tony Fabella’s Original Filipino Music Suite).
Cover of the New Orleans program of Ballet Manila’s 1997 US Tour. The repertoire consisted of Carmen, as well as classical pieces and Filipino originals. From the Ballet Manila Archives collection