Ballet Manila Moments: In love with Swan Lake

Since 1995, Ballet Manila has been creating unforgettable performances on stage. As the acclaimed storytellers on toes, they have breathed life to an amazing range of classical and contemporary fare. The Ballet Manila Archives celebrates some of those moments from the company’s first 25 years through this series.

Love against all odds is a painful reality for many lovers all over the world. Relationships that are forbidden for various reasons, ranging from disapproving parents to disparity in wealth, are common plots in all artforms.

In the ballet Swan Lake, the hindrance is a complicated and unexpected twist. Siegfried is a prince and Odette is a cursed swan princess.

Still, when love is true, it will refuse to accept defeat. Siegfried and Odette fight for their love against all odds and not a curse — or even death — can keep them apart.

In this clip is a romantic expression of Siegfried's and Odette's love performed by principal dancers Mark Sumaylo and Abigail Oliveiro in Ballet Manila's 2017 production of Swan Lake.