Ballet Manila bares sparkling season for its pearl anniversary
With Jewelmer as an apt sponsor, The Pearl Gala on March 7, 8 and 9 opens Ballet Manila’s 30th anniversary season.
By Leah C. Salterio
Photos by MarBi Photography
Lisa Macuja thought the next chapter in her ballet journey would begin abroad, shortly after leaving the company she had been dancing with in 1994.
To her surprise, eleven other dancers led by Osias Barroso Jr. said they would be willing to form a new ballet company – with her.
“The situation was such that I only had those two options,” Lisa recalled. “There was really no other choice.”
Artistic director Lisa Macuja Elizalde: “Ballet Manila has far exceeded all its initial dreams.”
And thus was Ballet Manila born in 1995. On February 17 and 18 of that year, the new company staged its maiden performance, Ballet Manila Dances, with Lisa and Shaz as its principal artists.
This year, Ballet Manila is turning 30, with Lisa, already retired from dancing, running the company as its artistic director and CEO. “We were idealistic. Maybe a bit naïve. But at the same time, very hopeful. That hope, that idealism has continued over the last 30 years to keep us true to our mission of bringing ballet to the people and more people to the ballet.
“My aspiration was to have a company that was run by dancers, for dancers. We always remember (founding artistic director) Tito Eric’s (Cruz) words, decisions and advice. ‘Never ever let dancing suffer. Never ever compromise the quality of dancing onstage.’”
Lisa is proud that Ballet Manila has been the home of classics, continuing to present ballets created over a century ago. “All the full-length classical ballets that we were able to dance. We are the only company able to dance La Bayadere, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Don Quixote, Le Corsaire. We are able to perform all of it in its purest classical form and the Russian training, technique, choreography and dance it to a live orchestra.”
For the 30th anniversary season, Ballet Manila is bringing back Swan Lake in May with Katherine Barkman of San Francisco Ballet and Don Quixote in August with Renata Shakirova of Mariinsky Ballet. Inviting international guest dancers and ballerinas from other countries, said Lisa, enhance the prestige and artistic value of Ballet Manila productions and create opportunities for the dancers.
“Our audiences don’t have to fly to San Francisco or St. Petersburg (Russia),” Lisa granted. “They can see those dancers here. Every time they are exposed to a new artist, it’s a learning experience for us.
Lisa actually shares special bonds with both guest artists. “Katherine Barkman is a proud alumna of Ballet Manila. She started with us when she was 18 years old and originated many ballets then stayed with the company for four years. Renata and I attended the same ballet school in Russia (the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet). We share the same ‘mother’ in ballet, Tatiana Udalenkova,” described Lisa.
Ballet Manila is marking thirty years of bringing ballet to the people, both the revered classics and original Filipino works – a combination that affirms the company’s versatility. In photo, from left, are principal dancers Romeo Peralta and Shaira Comeros, soloist Noah Esplana, principal dancer Abigail Oliveiro, company artist Celine Astrologo and apprentice Shamira Drapete.
“There’s nothing as unifying as the artist’s language. You actually don’t have to speak the same language in class, rehearsals or performances. You can communicate through dance without having to say a single word.”
Apart from classics, Lisa is also proud about the original Filipino ballets the company has presented over the years – the likes of Florante at Laura set to original music by National Artist Ryan Cayabyab, Ibong Adarna, Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang and Tatlo Pang Kuwento ni Lola Basyang.
“All those original Filipino productions where we collaborated with Filipino artists, not just dancers but designers and composers,” Lisa said. “There’s nothing like being the first to perform the ballet.
“Bringing ballet to the masses is an achievement, with our Circus D’Ballet productions and our Ballet & Ballads productions. We make it reachable, understandable and likable – something that the audience can relate to.”
Looking forward to years of continuing what it started thirty years ago, Lisa noted, “Ballet Manila is trekking on, more or less, the same path that my life has taken. It has far exceeded all its initial dreams, all its initial plans, all its initial vision and mission. It has exceeded that in reality.”
Ballet Manila’s 30th anniversary season kicks off with The Pearl Gala on March 7, 8 p.m., March 8, 5 p.m., and March 9, 5 p.m., at Aliw Theater, Pasay City. Tickets are available at TicketWorld via www.ticketworld.com.ph.
See also:
Ballet Manila celebrates 30 years of dancing in Pearl performance season
