Revenge of the Classics – this is Ballet Manila’s 21st Performance Season which will revisit timeless tales as told through dance. Classics have laid down the foundation of every other ballet production. No one performs it more truthfully to its original form than the performers of Ballet Manila.

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“Nothing beats the classics. There’s something about classical tales and pieces that is just so magical that they stay in your memory forever,” shares Prima Ballerina and Ballet Manila’s Artistic Director and CEO, Lisa Macuja-Elizalde. “Technically speaking, you can’t cheat when you’re doing the classics; there’s just no way. Revenge of the Classics invokes the same spirit that guided us when we founded the company in 1995. My Russian mentor, Tatiana Udalenkova, often reminded me that every season should have a classical production because it is in doing the classics that the company becomes strong. Our 21st season will showcase the power and grace that enable our ballerinas and danseurs to perform these extremely difficult classical ballet roles.”

Ballet Manila’s 21st Performance Season Offerings

Rebel: EDSA 30

Rebel: EDSA 30 will open the new season on August 19. It was first staged during the 20th Season and featured the comeback performance of Ms. Lisa Macuja-Elizalde as Inang Bayan. It will likewise feature Joanna Ampil as the voice of |Inang Bayan and performances by the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Gerard Salonga. . This modern classic gained much traction when it debuted in February because of its historical relevance and its touching combination of nationalistic music and strong choreography.  It is choreographed by British choreographer Martin Lawrance and features music from Spartacus by world-renowned Armenian composer, Aram Khachaturian.

Rebel: EDSA 30 will be shown at the Aliw Theater on the following dates and time: August 19, 20, and 27 at 8:00 p.m. and August 21 and 28 at 3:00 p.m.

 

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The Swan, The Fairy, and The Princess

In October, the dance company will stage The Swan, The Fairy and The Princess, a production that showcases excerpts from three of the most celebrated works of master composer Peter Tschaikovsky, who has written some of the world’s most memorable and timeless ballet scores—Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and The Sleeping Beauty. Scores for this ballet will be performed by no less than the Manila Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Alexander Vikulov. Featuring performances by Kremlin Ballet Theater’s premier danseur, Mikhail Martynyuk, and Miguel Faustmann, who will assume the role of Peter Tchaikovsky.

The Swan, The Fairy and The Princess promises a magical experience unlike any other. Show schedules are: October 14 & 15 at 8:00 p.m. and October 16 at 3:00 p.m.

 

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Cinderella

Another timeless tale and arguably one of the most loved stories of all time, Cinderella, starts its run on November 25. This enduring classic sets the stage for the world premiere of Osias Barroso and Lisa Macuja-Elizalde’s first major choreographic work together. With a production that promises to stay true to the animated feature that generations of young girls and boys loved, this re-telling is perfect for anyone who is on the search for a little bit of extra magic to usher in the holiday season.

Show dates for Cinderella at the Aliw Theater are as follows: November 25, 26 and December 3 at 8:00 p.m. and November 27 and December 4 at 3:00 p.m.

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Don Quixote

The 21st season will end with one of the world’s most favorite classic ballets, Don Quixote. Watch the iconic characters from the famous novel by Miguel De Cervantes come alive as the lively ballet follows the adventures of the chivalry-obsessed Don Quixote, his faithful servant, Sancho Panzo, and young lovers, Kitri and Basilio. Set in Barcelona, the ballet allows everyone a glimpse of the colorful, vibrant, and inherently romantic Spanish culture. Mikhail Martynyuk, principal danseur of the Kremlin Ballet, once again joins Ballet Manila for this classic.

Don Quixote will be shown at the Aliw Theater this February 24 & 25, 2017 at 8:00 p.m. and February 26 at 3:00 p.m.

 

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All shows are at the Aliw Theater in Pasay City.

For more information about the shows, including ticket prices and schedules, you may visit www.balletmanila.com.ph or follow Ballet Manila on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Tickets are also available through all Ticketworld outlets. Please call 891 9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph, for more information. 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. For more information, you may visit www.ticketworld.com.ph/balletmanila/Online/  and click on ‘View Details’ under ‘Season Subscription Program’.

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The Woman Behind Ballet Manila

Prima Ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde is synonymous to Ballet Manila. She is the acknowledged prime mover of the company and this fact was sounded off by the performers who were interviewed after the Preview. The company was co-founded in 1995 by Osias Barroso. Lisa has retired from performing full time but still serves as the Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ballet Manila. She also owns The Lisa Macuja School of Ballet Manila, and continues the mission to make ballet more accessible to everyone.

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My Say

The reason why I always try to make myself available when invited for any Ballet Manila event is because of my belief that it is carrying out a worthy mission of bringing ballet to the people. Lisa and all of the company performers have showed dedication and perseverance in their quest to bring the art to the grassroots level. For the longest time, ballet has always been associated with the elite and the moneyed. It is about time that perception changes because no one should be excluded from the pure joy of watching a ballet performance.

There are two ways we can help spread the word and thereby help Ballet Manila achieve its mission. First is to subscribe and actually get to enjoy a 50% discount on ticket prices. Second is to help promote their shows so people would know that there are such beautiful yet affordable shows being mounted by the company. Maybe, just maybe, we will get to see the time when watching ballet shows will become as natural as going to the mall, just like what Lisa hopes.

If you want to experience classical ballet, then Ballet Manila’s Revenge of the Classics is your best bet.