Monday, November 11, 2013

Never underestimate the power of a woman: Ballet Manila's Le Corsaire



I wanted to complete Lisa Macuja’s Swan Song Series. I wanted to see her do her final interpretation of Medora. However, I was far to excited to see Principal Dancer Mylene Aggabao-Salgado’s return to the stage. As always, when a dancer gives birth, eyebrows raise in doubt whether a comeback is possible. Not me, having followed her career from its roots I was certain that the universe would conspire  and allow her to reign supreme on stage. I wish I had bet on that opinion as I was 100% accurate. Mylene Aggabao-Salgado performed effortlessly as Medora. She nailed every step with agility and her usual technical ability. Triple pirouettes and triple lame duck turns onstage are rare but they just kept on coming. I’m glad that she was victorious against fear and doubt. I guess its true what they say, happiness blinds out fear . Maybe it’s the arrival of her beautiful baby girl or maybe its because she’s happy to be back on the spotlight but she shines better now than ever. She managed to evoke a richness of character that I have not seen from her before.

Her level of performance however proved to be  a feat for her Conrad played by Junmark Suymaylo. Every bit of a charmer, he partnered her beautifully. However it was clear from the beginning that he has a lot more to go to dance at par with Ballet Manila’s principal dancer. Not to be misunderstood, this is not to say he danced poorly. He is quite a dramateur, quite pleasing to the eye.

Finally  I got to see Michael Divinigracia in a role that  could truly showcase his talent. He played Ali, Conrad’s able slave. He did not disappoint. He delivered his tricks with just the right touch of  humility and strength required for the role. I was thoroughly pleased.

Much can be said about all other factors of the production but I guess strong dancers make all else forgivable. No need to expound on the sad opening set of cartoon waves and a static miniature boat. No need to expound on the sadly heavy looking corps de ballet in the garden scene. (Yes ballet can be unforgiving when it comes to physique. That's just the way it is.)

To sum it up, Ballet Manila’s Le Corsaire was more about revelations than the story.  Forgive me for the cliches that you are about to hear but simply put, the show proved that they are indeed true.
1
        Never underestimate a woman, especially when the woman is Mylene Aggabao-Salgado, someone empowered by her passion for the art.

      We are all stars in the making.  Our dear Conrad has everything he needs to be a star.     All he needs is  a little bit more dedication to the barre and he might as well claim    stardom.
3
      Good things happen to those who wait. Such is true in the case of Michael Divinigracia.  I hope Ballet Manila sees what I see in him and gives him more challenging roles.




Footnote 

 Le Corsaire “ The Pirate “ is really about a story that comes full circle. It’s a story about taking on a     challenge with the odds against the heroine and ends with empowerment.  I find it fitting that Ballet     Manila has chosen  this story ballet as part of Lisa Macuja’s Swan Song Series. Though it is probably       because  the ballet is one of their flagship gems, I find that it mirrors Lisa Macuja’s timeline of success for Ballet Manila. Very much like Medora (the ballet’s heroine)  Lisa Macuja gambled big time when she built Ballet Manila, the only private classical ballet company in the Philippines. Now as her Swan Song Series comes nearer to its end, the company stands strong empowered by a whole history of battles won, stars born and seasons under their belt.  Medora was not only enamored by her Pirate Conrad, she also set a goal to give people their freedom. Lisa Macuj has done just that with Ballet Manila. Ballet Manila in their own way has found a way to marry their one true love of ballet and at the same time reach out to masses who are thirsty for the beauty of ballet. They have freed people as well and allowed them to be special because of their programs. Indeed something to celebrate. 

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