Our 23rd performance season will open with a showcase of our most Iconic performances. We have performed over 200 works performed since the company’s inception in 1995 and for our season opener, we’re treating everyone to two weekends of Ballet Manila’s most memorable collaborations.
Iconic 1.0
Bloom by Anabelle Lopez Ochoa
Sotto Voce by Augustus Bam Damian III
Fuga by Gerardo Francisco
Romeo & Juliet by Sergei Vikulov
Reve by Ernest Mandap
Musika’t Pag-Ibig by Jonathan Janolo
Mahiwagang Byulin by Tony Fabella
Arachnida by Agnes Locsin
Iconic 2.0
Ibong Adarna by Gerardo Francisco
Aria by Martin Lawrance
The Distance Between Us by Simon Hoy
Ecole by Osias Barroso Jr.
El Adwa by Augustus Bam Damian III
Fur Elise by Lisa Macuja
Arachnida by Agnes Locsin
For the first weekend, Iconic 1.0 will draw from the breadth of Ballet Manila’s global network. Here, we revisit pieces such as Bloom by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, a Colombian-Belgian choreographer whose work is sought after in operas, musicals, and even fashion. There is also also Sotto Voce by Augustus “Bam” Damian III, one of the few Filipinos who raised the bar for ballet in Europe. We’re also presenting Mahiwagang Byulin, the last work of dance legend Tony Fabella. And as nod to Ballet Manila’s Vaganova roots, we are restaging Sergei Vikulov’s Romeo and Juliet.
Iconic 2.0 puts the focus on the works of our homegrown talent. We revisit fantasy with Gerardo Francisco’s whimsical Ibong Adarna; peek into a dancer’s life with Osias Barroso’s very pragmatic Ecole; experience love and lust with Eric Cruz’s very sensual Carmen; and reminisce with Lisa Macuja-Elizalde’s timeless Fur Elise.
“We’re reliving the past in a very special way, because our company has seen many changes happening—most especially in our roster of dancers. It is such a fantastic learning experience to have some of our most loved and successful original ballets handed down to the new generation that is Ballet Manila today,” shares Ballet Manila CEO and Artistic Director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde.
17 different ballets, 14 featured choreographers, and the country’s premier classical dance company – the Iconic series is our biggest gala yet and is a fitting tribute to some of the best collaborations in ballet. And the best part here is that theater fans get to watch two shows for the price of one!
With master works spread across two magical weekends, Iconic is set to make even casual fans fall in love with the art. Our very own Lisa Macuja-Elizalde says it best—we curated this series in such a way that we show as much variety and versatility as possible, from classics to contemporaries. There’s a performance for everyone!
We always believe in outdoing ourselves every year, so Tour de Force is our way of getting the ball rolling for Ballet Manila’s silver year on 2020. With the perfect season opener in Iconic 1.0 and Iconic 2.0, this season promises to be a world-class and highly entertaining run that everyone in the family can enjoy. Don’t miss the opening gala!
Show schedules:
Tour de Force opens with Iconic 1.0 on September 1 and 2, followed by Iconic 2.0 on September 8 and 9, 2018.
Tickets are also available through all TicketWorld outlets. Call 891-9999, or simply visit click here to buy online.
In addition, those who are planning to watch all the shows may take advantage of the company’s Season Subscription Programs, which offer up to 50% discount on ticket prices. Visit http://www.ticketworld.com.ph/balletmanila/Online/ and click on ‘View Details’ under ‘Season Subscription Program’ to avail.