A Swan Lake like no other
Classical choreographies are the foundation pieces of a serious ballet company. To successfully perform Swan Lake, Giselle, Don Quixote and The Nutcracker as envisioned by the likes of Marius Petipa are achievements that highlight a company’s strong technique and artistry. Thus, it has always been Ballet Manila’s pride and joy to have these pieces as part of its regular repertoire.
In 2003, however, the company marked two major milestones when it performed Swan Lake. It was the first time that it danced the piece with an all-Filipino cast which cemented its reputation as a classical ballet company of note. The company’s previous productions relied on additional dancers from foreign companies such as the Krasnoyarsk Ballet to complement the small corps.
Furthermore, People’s Artist of Russia Sergey Vikulov came to Manila to restage the piece with significant additions to Petipa’s and Lev Ivanov’s choreography to create a new Swan Lake just for Ballet Manila. The world premiere featured prima ballerina Lisa Macuja Elizalde as Odette and Odile, principal artist Osias Barroso Jr. as Prince Siegfried, Eduardo Espejo as Rothbart and Gerardo Francisco Jr. as the Jester. Marian Faustino, Mylene Aggabao, Sofia Sangco and Alexa Sayson were the Little Swans while Eileen Lopez, Christine Rocas and Gabrielle Galvez were the Big Swans.
A closer look would reveal the participation of Romeo Peralta Jr. as part of the waltz in Act 1. Peralta, along with Francisco, are the only remaining members of the company from that world premiere who are still dancing with Ballet Manila today. Both are now principal dancers, with Francisco also serving as a co-artistic associate and resident choreographer and Peralta doubling as company manager of Ballet Manila.
This clip features some of the highlights from the 2003 world premiere of Ballet Manila’s Swan Lake. The company is bringing back what is often referred to as a “classical warhorse” on May 30 and 31 and June 1 at the Aliw Theater featuring San Francisco Ballet’s Katherine Barkman and Esteban Hernandez, with Ballet Manila principal dancer Abigail Oliveiro and San Francisco Ballet’s Nathaniel Remez in a matinee show. Tickets are available on www.ticketworld.com.ph
