Under Construction: Putting together ‘Paquita’ for the first time
A new ballet is always exciting but having Ballet Manila’s artistic director Lisa Macuja Elizalde in the choreographer’s chair makes it extra special. For the second offering of the Prima season, BM is presenting Paquita in full for the first time after years of performing the classically demanding Paquita divertissement.
This is also the first time that the full-length version of Paquita – originally choreographed by Joseph Mazilier to music by Édouard Deldevez and Ludwig Minkus for the Paris Opera Ballet in 1846 – will be presented in the Philippines. Lisa is expected to inject her flair for the dramatic into what is already an intense piece.
In this video, Lisa is seen putting together the choreography during Paquita’s first rehearsal. Joining her are principal dancers Abigail Oliveiro, Mark Sumaylo and Romeo Peralta Jr.
