Ballet Manila goes on ‘Flights of Fantasy’

CLASSICAL ballet company Ballet Manila offers “Flights of Fantasy” in its 22^nd performance season opening in August.

The company will present the tales of a legendary bird that has healing powers, a bewitched maiden cursed to transform into a swan at night, and a princess banished to the forest where she befriends seven delightful dwarves. A gala concert will also combine dance and song in another edition of BM’s trademark Ballet & Ballads series.

“Flights of Fantasy” takes off with the world premiere of Gerardo Francisco’s Ibong Adarna. Inspired by the popular legend about a mythical bird whose singing can cure the sick, the two-act ballet casts principal dancer Katherine Barkman and soloist Abigail Oliveiro alternating in the lead role, with West End musical theater actress Gia Macuja Atchison as the singing Adarna.

The show will feature flying sequences, innovative costumes and set design and most important, a well-envisioned choreography that breathes life to a one-of-a-kind Adarna.

“Gerardo has always been a multi-talented artist. He is not only one of the greatest principal dancers of the company, but has been choreographing successfully for many years now,” BM artistic director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde said of the man behind Ibong Adarna. “We gave him free rein to do his first original two-act ballet and we are going all the way in supporting his vision. It should be a revelation!” she was quoted as saying in a release.

Ibong Adarna also features music by Diwa de Leon, set and costume design by Make It Happen Workshop and script by Angela Blardony Ureta.

In October, Ballet Manila brings back the classical “war horse” Swan Lake in four acts.

“This is in keeping with Ballet Manila’s commitment to have at least one classical ballet in its season repertoire to uphold its Vaganova roots and foundation,” said Osias Barroso, BM’s co-artistic director, who himself danced as Prince Siegfried numerous times opposite Macuja-Elizalde as Odette/Odile.

The Serguei Vikulov version of Swan Lake features the original Lev Ivanov choreography for the white acts, a brand new set design by Miguel Faustmann, and new costumes designed by Michael Miguel. Katherine Barkman will debut in the role of Odette/Odile.

In late November, the prima ballerina’s own interpretation of Snow White will have its premiere. Snow White is the follow-up to her successful debut of a full-length choreography, Cinderella in 2016.

Ms. Macuja-Elizalde has already started on the choreography of Snow White. “It’s coming along nicely. Without revealing too much, it’s going to be in two acts with the Queen playing a big role in the storytelling and a surprise guest appearance of a magician. I am feeling the pressure,” she said, “but I’m very, very excited about the production.”

Snow White will use the music of Jules Massenet, as well as familiar melodies from the Disney film, while the overall look is said to be inspired by the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen.

The season will be capped in February 2018 by the latest installment of the company’s Ballet & Ballads series, with balladeer Christian Bautista as headliner. As a Valentine treat, it will feature romantic pieces from the Ballet Manila repertoire, dancing set to love songs performed live by Bautista and new original choreographic works.

All performances will be held at the Aliw Theater, CCP Complex, Pasay City. Tickets are available at all TicketWorld outlets. For more information, call 525-5967, visit www.balletmanila.com.ph or follow Ballet Manila on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.