Like a pearl whose luster and sheen get better with age, Ballet Manila marks its 30th year with a repertoire that reflects the graceful passage of the years.
This celebration at the Aliw Theater in Pasay City, is marked by a series of stellar productions featuring world-renowned ballet superstars from the US and Russia.
Dubbed the “The Pearl Year,” Ballet Manila is opening the performance season with The Pearl Gala at 8 p.m. on March 7 and at 5 p.m. on March 8 and 9.
The gala features the world premiere of “Pearls,” choreographed by Lisa Macuja Elizalde, Ballet Manila’s CEO and artistic director, along with fellow award-winning choreographers Martin Lawrance and Gerardo Francisco Jr.
Ballet Manila’s The Pearl Gala will open with “Paquita,” which was first performed by Ballet Manila during its first ballet concert 30 years ago. After three decades, the dance company is performing it again to highlight how a ballet company’s mettle, strength, and quality are measured by its corps de ballet and not only by its soloists or principals.
From the very classical “Paquita,” the gala will present “Bloom,” originally choreographed by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa in 2014, and performed by many American companies such as the. Cincinnati Ballet and Los Angeles Ballet. This will again showcase the diversity and strengths of the company on its 30th year, but this time with a male-dominated corps de ballet
“Pearls” will complete the gala to show how the development of the pearl is similar to that of a dancer. The ballet is divided into six parts, with each dancer representing a unique jewel that is trained for years before achieving such effortless grace – just like a pearl composed of many layers that ultimately create a beautiful gem. The ballet will culminate with the pearls dancing in both classical and contemporary styles.
From The Pearl Gala, Ballet Manila continues the performance season with the classical ballet production: “Swan Lake” at 8 p.m. on May 30 and at 5 p.m. on May 31 and June 1.
A special matinee at 1 p.m. on May 31, will feature Ballet Manila principal dancer Abigail Oliveiro and San Francisco Ballet company artist Nathaniel Remez as the leads.
A fitting choice for the company’s 30th year, “Swan Lake” is one of the most difficult ballets to perform for a prima ballerina because of the extreme technical demands of Odile and the soft lyricism of Odette.
Closing the performance season is “Don Quixote,” another classical ballet featuring the return of ballet superstar, Mariinsky Prima Ballerina Renata Shakirova.
