BALLET Manila is opening its 21st season this August with “Rebel: Edsa 30,” choreographed by Briton Martin Lawrance and featuring music from “Spartacus” by world-renowned Armenian composer, Aram Khachaturian.
The classic ballet, about the revolt of gladiators during the Roman era, was tweaked and provided with a distinct Philippine flavor when it was staged last February on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Edsa Revolt. Its restaging will again feature Joanna Ampil as the voice of Inang Bayan and the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of Gerard Salonga.
“Rebel: Edsa 30” will be shown at Aliw Theater on Aug. 27, 8 p.m., and on Aug. 28, 3 p.m.
BM’s 21st season is titled “Revenge of the Classics,” since it will feature three classics and one contemporary piece.
“Nothing beats the classics. There’s something about classical tales and pieces that’s just so magical that they stay in your memory forever,” said BM artistic director and CEO Lisa Macuja-Elizalde.
She added that when she founded BM in 1995, her Russian mentor, Tatiana Udalenkova, often reminded her to include a classical production each season “because it is in doing the classics that the company becomes strong.”
Other productions
“The Swan, The Fairy and The Princess” will be staged October. Production will show excerpts from three of the most celebrated works of composer Peter Tschaikovsky, who has written some of the world’s most memorable and timeless ballet scores—“Swan Lake,” “The Nutcracker” and “Sleeping Beauty.”
The scores will be performed by the Manila Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Russian conductor Alexander Vikulov.
It will feature performances by the 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” will be staged Oct. 14-15, 8 p.m., and Oct. 16, 3 p.m.
“Cinderella” will be staged in November and the enduring classic will be the first major choreographic collaboration between Macuja and premier danseur Osias Barroso.
Show dates: Nov. 25, 26 and Dec. 3, 8 p.m.; and Nov. 27 and Dec. 4 at 3 p.m.
The 21st season will end with one of the world’s most favorite classic ballets, “Don Quixote,” featuring famous iconic characters from the famous novel by Miguel
De Cervantes—chivalry-obsessed Don Quixote, his faithful servant Sancho Panzo, and young lovers Kitri and Basilio.
Martynyuk once again joins BM for this classic.
“Don Quixote” will be shown on Feb. 24-25, 2017, 8 p.m., and Feb. 26, 3 p.m. All shows will be at Aliw Theater in Pasay City. Call Ticketworld at 8919999; visit www.ticketworld.com.ph. Visit www.balletmanila.com.ph; follow Ballet Manila on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.