Ballet Manila all set for ‘Giselle’
Renata Shakirova and Aleksei Timofeyev – principal dancer and soloist, respectively – of the Mariinsky Theatre, will perform as Giselle and Albrecht in Ballet Manila’s Giselle on August 31 and September 1.
Ballet Manila is all set to bring back the classic Giselle as the third offering of its 26th performance season dubbed Ballet Masterpieces.
The classic Giselle, which Ballet Manila last performed in 2019, is known for the precise work it entails particularly for the female corps dancing as the ethereal spirits called the wilis. Photo by Erickson Dela Cruz
The two-act ballet about the eternal love between Giselle and Albrecht goes onstage on August 31, 8 p.m., and September 1, 5 p.m., with the Mariinsky Theatre’s Renata Shakirova and Aleksei Timofeyev in the title roles. Ballet Manila principal dancers Abigail Oliveiro and Mark Sumaylo headline a matinee performance on August 31. All performances will be held at the Aliw Theater in Pasay City.
With the haunting music of Adolphe Adam and the timeless choreography of Jean Coralli, Jules Perrot and Marius Petipa, Giselle has become one of the most romantic and popular classical ballets of all time. It is the story of village girl Giselle who falls in love with Albrecht, not knowing he is already engaged. When she finds out, she dies of a broken heart and becomes a wili and joins the souls of girls similarly wronged by their men. The repentant Albrecht visits the grave of Giselle who protects him from Myrtha, the vengeful queen of the wilis.
“I wanted to bring Giselle back because of the fact that it develops a lot of artistry as well as technique in a company,” notes Ballet Manila artistic director Lisa Macuja Elizalde. “The romantic lyricism and tragedy of Giselle is very sensitive material and something that can really bring up the maturity of a company as artists.”
Ballet Manila principal dancers Abigail Oliveiro and Mark Sumaylo will reprise their roles as Giselle and Albrecht in a matinee performance on August 31. Photo by Erickson Dela Cruz
Giselle is known for the precise work it entails particularly for the female corps dancing as the ethereal spirits called the wilis. “Being a two-act ballet, it is actually relatively easier to restage with a smaller company although you need at least 16 strong girls to make up your wilis corps de ballet,” says Macuja Elizalde.
She points out that Giselle serves as an ultimate test for the ballerina who steps into the title character. “It demands the utmost energy and acting ability, because when Giselle is dancing strenuously difficult parts, the ballerina must make it look like she’s a spirit floating lightly on air.”
Having had the chance to debut in the full-length Giselle with the Kirov Ballet, as the Mariinsky was known in the 1980s, Macuja Elizalde says it is a role that must be danced again and again as it polishes one’s skills over time. “I know that Renata and Abigail will certainly deliver on their respective interpretations of Giselle. I can’t wait to watch them both!”
Tickets to Giselle are now available through TicketWorld. Click on this direct link to buy tickets: https://bit.ly/PresaleBMGiselle2024
