The Ballet Manila Archives is the repository of documents, print, photographic, audio and video materials and memorabilia relating to the history of Ballet Manila and the life and career of its founder, prima ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde. This site is powered by Ms. Elizalde and Project Art, Inc.
All tagged Florante at Laura
After its world premiere last October at Aliw Theater, Florante at Laura takes center stage at the Hyundai Hall of Areté at the Ateneo de Manila University.
Ballet Manila is taking on the last quarter of the year with a full-packed schedule that’s taking the company places – literally – with a slate of performances in the Philippines and abroad.
Ballet Manila's performance of Florante at Laura is not just a dance but a profoundly moving and inspiring artistic achievement.
Adolfo lacks this kind of acceptance of the “law of Heaven.” Thus, he disrespects and violates it.
At 70, National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab is specific about the projects he still wants to take on.
Balagtas' Florante at Laura features two fathers and sons, each with unique and complex dynamics: the noble Duke Briceo and his son Florante of Albania and the ignoble Sultan Ali-Adab and his son Aladin of Persia.
To successfully achieve the cinematic feel for their upcoming production Florante at Laura, Ballet Manila has welcomed to their artistic team two previous collaborators: set designer Mio Infante and the costume design team Make it Happen Workshop.
In this clip, we get a rare look at the actual process of creation. Working with principal dancer Joshua Enciso and company artist Jefferson Balute, Gerardo tweaks a specific movement in a battle scene when Joshua as Florante defeats his many enemies.
There are two heroines in Balagtas' masterpiece, Laura and Flerida. Both of them are blessed with mesmerizing beauty.
The main character of Francisco Balagtas' masterpiece is an exemplary man who believes in pure love and unassuming kindness.
In this video from the rehearsals of Ballet Manila’s Florante at Laura, the lovers share a tender moment. Performing the title roles are principal dancers Abigail Oliveiro and Joshua Enciso.
The great thing about Florante at Laura, as the two choreographers point out, is that it has so many varied elements to it
During the ravages of American colonialism in the Philippines in the first half of the twentieth century, he was hailed as a hero and role model by intellectuals and artists who believed in the enlightening power of language and poetry.
In this clip, company artists Noah Esplana and Stephanie Santiago as Aladin and Flerida share romantic moments while being forced apart by principal dancer Mark Sumaylo as Sultan Ali Adab.
Though Balagtas’ work may have been based on the Filipino colonial experience in the 19th century, what he discusses is universal and timeless.
Here’s a sneak peek into the rehearsals of principal dancer Joshua Enciso as Florante expressing his despair and desperation through dance while tied to a makeshift tree, his movements timed to the music of National Artist Ryan Cayabyab.
Though still in its early stages, we get a sneak peek into the opening sequence of Florante at Laura – an action-packed choreography created on the music of National Artist Ryan Cayabyab that sets the stage for the adventure ahead.
Further boosting its reputation as the home of Filipino literary classics, Ballet Manila will premiere its dance adaptation of Francisco “Balagtas” Baltazar’s masterpiece Florante at Laura in October.
It will indeed be a hectic year for Ballet Manila as revealed in a media conference by artistic director Lisa Macuja Elizalde, noting that the full slate of performances is a tribute to her late beloved dance partner, co-artistic director and friend Osias Barroso Jr. who passed away last December 16.
