A mother’s love in ‘Swan Lake’
She shows up fleetingly in Swan Lake, and is referred to simply as the Queen or Queen Mother. But despite her limited appearance and namelessness, she commands attention when she steps out on that stage with her regal presence.
There is no doubt being a mother is a key part of her life. She dotes on her son, Prince Siegfried, and throws a ball to mark his twenty-first birthday. Ever supportive, she encourages the future ruler of the kingdom to select his life partner. When Siegfried finds Odette but is led to believe the impostor Odile is his beloved, his world crumbles, and the Queen is there by his side to offer comfort and consolation.
On Mother’s Day, we take a look at scenes from Ballet Manila’s productions of Swan Lake that show this woman in her maternal element – loving, affectionate, reassuring.
2003: The Queen (Elline Damian) smiles welcomingly as Prince Siegfried (Osias Barroso Jr.) presents the partner he has chosen to share his life with. He mistakenly thinks it is Odette, the Swan Princess whom he fell in love with in the forest, but it is actually Odile (Lisa Macuja Elizalde) who has schemed with the sorcerer Rothbart to trick him. Photo by Ocs Alvarez
2005: Prince Siegfried (Jonathan Janolo) joyfully accepts a bow from the Queen (Christine Rocas) on his twenty-first birthday. It is actually this gift that takes him to the forest where he intends to hunt, but instead stumbles upon Odette, a princess cursed to be a swan whom he instantly falls for. Photo by Ocs Alvarez
2011: The Queen (Janine Tugonon) has handed over a bouquet of flowers to Prince Siegfried (Nazer Salgado) to give to the princess of his choice from those gathered at the palace. But he is already smitten with Odette and he later returns the flowers to his mother who shows disappointment but remains understanding. Photo by Ocs Alvarez
2014: Prince Siegfried (Alfren Salgado) cries in his mother’s arms as he discovers Rothbart’s duplicity, unwittingly leading him to betray Odette. The Queen (Melissa Howell Alipalo) is a quiet but strong presence, soothing the grief-stricken prince. Photo by Daniel Trinidad
2017: The Queen (Lisa Macuja Elizalde) and Prince Siegfried (Mark Sumaylo) are resplendent in their royal finery. Their fondness for each other is palpable, the latter beaming as he escorts his adoring mother into the main hall of the palace where she is hosting a ball in his honor. Photo by Erickson Dela Cruz
