Instruments of ballet

Music is always connected with ballet as it’s the fuel that powers a choreography. Sometimes, it even becomes part of the dance itself as musical instruments are used as key elements or as supplementary props. We take a peek at those moments when instruments hit the right notes in Ballet Manila productions.

The fan-wielding Kitri (Lisa Macuja Elizalde) is giddy with excitement as she is serenaded by her guitar-strumming suitor Basilio (Osias Barroso Jr.) in this scene from Don Quixote (1999). They have thrown caution to the wind even as Kitri’s father, Lorenzo, objects to their union. Photo by Ocs Alvarez

The abusive employer Ahab (Marcus Tolentino, right) is unable to resist dancing, to the point of exhaustion, as the exploited worker Rodrigo (Gerardo Francisco Jr.) plays his violin. The appropriately titled Ang Mahiwagang Biyulin, one of the three stories in Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang (2008), highlights how the enchanted musical instrument paves the way for Rodrigo to collect the wages he is owed and go back home to his family. Photo by Ocs Alvarez

Even if her eyes are open, Mother Simone (Jonathan Janolo) has dozed off in this scene from The Naughty Daughter (2008). But her daughter Lise (Jenny Olayvar) taps on her tambourine just to confirm that her strict mother – who’s been keeping her indoors to prevent her from meeting Colas – has really fallen asleep. Photo by Ocs Alvarez

Set in the Spanish countryside, Don Quixote (2017) shows Kitri (Jasmine Pia Dames) displaying local flair and flavor by playing castanets while dancing. Castanets are a percussion instrument made of two shells – usually made of hardwood – that are clicked together to create rhythmic sounds. Photo by Ocs Alvarez

The hapless king in Cinderella (2016) is getting sleepy at the grand ball, but the palace pages are not about to let him snooze. The naughty little boys blow on their trumpets to rouse the drowsy royal as a reminder that he, after all, is the evening’s host. Photo by Ocs Alvarez

When Mother Simone promises her daughter Lise’s hand in marriage to the wealthy Thomas’ son, Alain, the villagers head to the fields for a grand picnic to celebrate. The merriment in La Fille Mal Gardee (2005) includes the performance of a flutist (Lemuel Capa) who gamely regales the crowd. Photo by Ocs Alvarez

Shaking and striking the tambourine, Kitri (Lisa Macuja Elizalde) leads the revelry in the town plaza as her partner Basilio (Mikhail Martinyuk) spurs her on in Don Quixote (2012). The joyful moment is re-enacted as part of the prima ballerina’s Swan Song Series in which she said farewell to her favorite classical roles. Photo by Jojo Mamangun