Ballet Manila’s 22nd performance season is set to close with the most star-studded installment of “Ballet & Ballads” yet. With final preparations underway, the audience should also prepare for a full showcase of the company’s storytelling prowess and mastery of the Vaganova technique.
Ballet Manila CEO and Artistic Director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde shares that it’s almost like a tradition in the performance season repertoire. Not only that, but also this format of combining a singer and ballet numbers makes their style of storytelling more appealing and more accessible to the audience. “It’s all about what the audience enjoys and what they would love to go back to,” shares Lisa.
Christian Bautista is out to woo the audience with some of his greatest hits alongside new songs from his latest album. His crooning voice combined with Ballet Manila’s dancing will simply make you fall in love.
The ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra is in charge of accompaniment all throughout the night, and they have prepared a very special “teleserye suite” for all the lovers of Filipino pop culture. Watch out, as they may even play your favorite teleserye theme song!
The Klassikal Music Foundation (KMF), headed by Dr. George T. Yang, has also started a fruitful partnership with Ballet Manila. The beautiful combination of ballet and the opera is simply not something to miss. Andrew Fernando, Artistic Director of the KMF says, “We are looking forward to break the artistic limits of Ballet and Opera in this collaboration with Ballet Manila. In several operas there would be ballet sequences as sort of isolated numbers, but here in ‘Ballet & Ballads,’ the dances are to the tune of the opera arias and ensemble that for sure will bring out another layer of beauty and sophistication.”
Last but definitely not the least is the world premiere of Martin Lawrance’s “Aria.” This marks the fourth time the British choreographer will be working with the company, and he was given full freedom to work his magic. Regarded as a “genius” by Lisa no less, he shares about his experience, “To me working with them feels like being part of a family. I’ve been included in this family for a few years now, and I’m extremely humbled by my time here. The dancers are such a joy to work with.” “Aria” also features stunning costumes by locally renowned designer Jeffrey Rogador.
The stars truly align in latest installment of “Ballet & Ballads,” and one surely must not miss this.
Show Schedules
The newest installment of “Ballet & Ballads” will premiere on February 10, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. at the Aliw Theater. There will be three other shows: February 11 & 18 at 3:00 p.m., February 17 at 6:00 p.m.
Tickets are available through all TicketWorld outlets. Please call 891-9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph for more information.