Ballet Manila’s pioneering ‘Florante at Laura’ takes center stage anew in Quezon City run
The romance of Aladin and Flerida (Noah Esplana and Stephanie Santiago) is marred by Sultan Ali-Adab (Mark Sumaylo) who covets Flerida.
Described as “a moving experience rich in cultural wisdom and literary depth,” Ballet Manila’s pioneering adaptation of Francisco Balagtas’ Florante at Laura will have a performance run in Quezon City this weekend.
After facing immense tragedy and loss, Florante (Joshua Enciso) and Laura (Abigail Oliveiro) are reunited in Albania, ready to rule its people freed from its oppressors.
After its world premiere last October at Aliw Theater, Florante at Laura takes center stage at the Hyundai Hall of Areté at the Ateneo de Manila University on the following dates: November 22, Friday, 6 p.m.; November 23, Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; and November 24, Sunday, 3:30 p.m.
Featuring the choreography of Gerardo Francisco Jr. and Martin Lawrance and the music of National Artist Ryan Cayabyab, with libretto by Michael M. Coroza, the full-length ballet stars principal dancers Joshua Enciso and Abigail Oliveiro as the titular characters Florante and Laura. Also in the cast are principal dancer Mark Sumaylo as Sultan Ali-Adab, soloist Stephanie Santiago as Flerida, and soloist Noah Esplana as Aladin.
Ballet Manila artistic director Lisa Macuja Elizalde expressed excitement about the Quezon City run as it will be an opportunity to reach more audiences for the literary epic which, for the first time, is being told in ballet.
Coroza underscored the importance of presenting Florante at Laura to new generations and exploring it in other genres such as dance as its themes remain significant today. “Balagtas' masterpiece, deeply rooted in the Filipino colonial experience of the 19th century, doesn't just belong to the past; it transcends its historical context to address universal and timeless themes such as love, betrayal, and redemption.”
A loyal friend, Menandro (Anselmo Dictado, third from left) leads the Albanian warriors in Florante’s absence.
Florante at Laura is a first-time collaboration between choreographers Francisco and Lawrance who agreed on a “cinematic effect” for the dance adaptation. This was achieved through the use of slow motion, ballet style, particularly for key scenes in the story.
Coroza – a full professor at the Ateneo De Manila University’s Department of Filipino and also chairman of the Unyon ng Manunulat sa Pilipinas – welcomed the chance to be part of Ballet Manila’s Florante at Laura creative team in crafting the libretto.
Writing a series of articles on Balagtas’ epic poem for balletmanilaarchives.com leading up to the ballet’s premiere, Coroza wrote: “The philosophical and moral impact of Florante at Laura doesn't just resonate with its initial readers, including national heroes like Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, and Apolinario Mabini; it extends beyond, resonating with anyone with a critical consciousness today, connecting them to the work's historical context in a way that feels immediate and relevant.”
Tickets to the Florante at Laura shows in Areté are available via TicketWorld through this direct link: https://bit.ly/BMFloranteAtLauraAretéBuyTickets
Read Michael Coroza’s essays on various aspects of Florante at Laura:
More then just a love story: Why Florante at Laura is a must-read for Filipinos
The four revolts of Balagtas: Probing the literary merits of Florante at Laura
Florante: The man destined to be the savior and king
Two heroines: Laura and Flerida
Photos by Giselle P. Kasilag
