Balladeer and musical theater artist Christian Bautista joins Ballet Manila (BM) as it concludes its 22nd performance season with the company’s longest running concert series “Ballet & Ballads.”
“The show marks the 20th year of ‘Ballet & Ballads’ so we really gave careful thought on who our guest balladeer should be—and Christian Bautista’s name topped the list,” BM artistic director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde says. “It’s our first time to work with Christian but I’ve seen him perform onstage and have heard many good things about him. We are off to a good start.”
She adds that this initial collaboration might even lead to future projects with Bautista. “Fingers crossed, this might just pave the way for international performances of ‘Ballet & Ballads.’”
Launched in 1998, “Ballet & Ballads” series was the brainchild of Lisa’s husband, Manila Broadcasting Company chairman Fred J. Elizalde. Wishing to support the prima ballerina’s mission of bringing ballet to the people, he combined the resources of MBC and BM to come up with a unique road show that merged the beauty and grace of classical ballet with the widespread appeal of popular music.
Much anticipated in the upcoming anniversary production are the world premiere performances of “Aria” by British choreographer Martin Lawrance and “El Adwa” by Augustus Damian III, along with the unveiling of brand new works by BM’s own resident choreographers Gerardo Francisco, Jonathan Janolo, Osias Barroso and Lisa.
“Ballet & Ballads” also features renowned opera singers from the Klassikal Music Foundation (KMF): baritone Andrew Fernando, sopranos Jade Riccio and Stephanie Aguilar, mezzo soprano Krissan Manikan Tan, tenor Leo Lanuza, and a special participation of KMF founder and tenor, Dr. George T. Yang.
The highly acclaimed ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra provides live music under the baton of maestro Joshua Dos Santos.
“In the end, it’s really about the audience and giving them what they will enjoy and would love to come back to,” Lisa says. “And that has always been the secret behind the staying power of ‘Ballet & Ballads.’ Twenty years strong but always fresh, always new, and always an unforgettable experience!”
“Ballet & Ballads” gala shows will be on Feb. 10, 17, 6 p.m.; matinees will be on Feb. 11, 18, at 3 p.m., at Aliw Theater. Call 891999; visit www.ticketworld.com.ph.