Ballet Manila still ‘On Pointé’ on 24th season
Credit to Author: The Manila Times| Date: Sat, 20 Jul 2019 20:38:34 +0000
‘Snow White’ from September 7 to 8.
For its 24th season, Ballet Manila once again stages a series of breathtaking shows filled with graceful dancing with the theme “On Pointé,” highlighting the most iconic element in a ballet performance – the pointé shoes on which a ballerina stands and dances daintily on her toes.
The theme is also fitting for the ballet company’s upcoming performances as it is also a play on being “on point” which defines something to be excellent and perfect — the kind of shows that Ballet Manila consistently stages for its audience.
According to Ballet Manila Chief Executive Officer and Artistic Director Lisa Macuja Elizalde, the decision to go with the theme is related to Ballet Manila’s Russian Vaganova style of training and dancing.
“It defines what classical ballet is — being able to dance on pointé,” Macuja Elizalde said.
A thoughtfully curated line up of four shows are lined up for this season. The first one is the restaging of “Snow White,” the second installment in Macuja Elizalde’s Princess Trilogy, which will run from September 7 to 8. “Giselle,” a romantic ballet in two acts, will follow on October 19 to 20. “Sleeping Beauty” will have its world premiere on December 7 to 8.
The season’s finale will be “Carmina Burana and La Traviata” — a collaboration of opera, ballet, and orchestra, which will be staged on February 29 and March 1, 2020.
“When I plan a season, I first program the full-length classical ballet that we need to present every year. My teacher and mentor Tatiana Udalenkova told me that I should always have a classical warhorse every season to strengthen the company,” Macuja Elizalde spoke of their decision to perform “Giselle.”
two acts, will be staged on
October 19 and 20.
She also wanted to revisit the earlier installment of her Princess Trilogy and present “Snow White” before the premiere of “Sleeping Beauty,” which will be the company’s Christmas production, to factor in continuity.
“I love the fact that we are opening our 24th season with ‘Snow White’ because it captures the fun everyone needs to have when watching and dancing ballet,” she said.
After the first two installments of the trilogy, Macuja Elizalde said that the best is yet to come with the final production. “I am saving the best for last. The Princess Trilogy is going to conclude with a bang!” she said.
Talking about the last show, “Carmina Burana and La Traviata,” Macuja Elizalde said that the back-to-back presentation is a fitting finale to their 24th season.
(right) with her co-artistic director
Osias Barroso.
“I have always wanted to choreograph to the music of my favorite opera — ‘La Traviata’ — and excited to collaborate with my long time ‘partner in crime,’ Ballet Manila co-artistic director Osias Barroso. Rudy De Dios, recently retired principal dancer of the company, will be making an auspicious choreographic debut in his first full-length evening work with ‘Carmina Burana,’” she said.
All of Ballet Manila’s 24th performance season shows will be staged at the Aliw Theater, Pasay City.
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