Back to Back Ballet Classics

The month of August evokes a particular aesthetic. Thoughts of autumn colors, swirling leaves, and the magical glow of golden hour come to mind. In Taylor Swift's song, she sings of August slipping away like a bottle of wine, symbolizing missed romantic opportunities. It's almost as if August bring either solace or sadness, a pivotal moment in time. Ironically, Ballet Philippines (BP) and Ballet Manila will be performing romantic ballets that perfectly capture the essence of August mood. Ballet Philippines will kick off its 55th season with La Sylphide, while Ballet Manila (BM) will present Giselle. Tis the season for willowy ballerinas displaying lyrical softness and weightlessness. Tis the season for epic tragedy ballets.

Giselle (at least for this writer) has always been Ballet Manila's gem. It's the ballet that BM has perfected. Giselle stagings have consistently emphasized Ballet Manila's meticulously precise ensemble work, unity, and grace. Each staging of Giselle reiterates this to the ballet community. Lisa Macuja herself explained what makes Giselle a perfect fit for the company; "It's the style in which we take class every day. The disciplined use of the upper body and uniformed ports de bras is what the Vaganova style demands from the dancers when we take during class. Performing Giselle in the 'old romantic style' is something that is already ingrained in the dancers in Ballet Manila dancers. While a majority may advocate for updated versions the old ballets, I do hope that Ballet Manila can show audiences their good old white ballet magic once again. BM's Giselle always sounds like a good idea, especially because they offer two Russian Principal Dancer Renata Shakirova and Second Soloist Aleksei Timofeyev from the Mariinsky Ballet. Shakirova graduated from the Vaganova Ballet Academy, specifically from the class of Tatiana Udalenkova, who was also Lisa Macuja Elizalde's Vaganova teacher. She was promoted to Principal just recently. Timofeyev, a multiawarded dancer, also graduated from the Vaganova Ballet Academy. Their history creates a strong and charming connection. Macuja's vote of confidence for the pair makes this author giddy with excitement. What magic could this pair bring to Ballet Manila's precious gem? Our local stars, Abigail Oliveiro and Mark Sumaylo, are also set to perform in the Matinee. Stephanie Santiago will perform as Myrtha, and the Peasant Pas De Deux will be shared by Shaira Comeros and Joshua Enciso, as well as Pia Dames and Raphael Perez. Pearl Dames and Shaira Comeros will share the lead Wilis role. Ballet is all about tradition, and I have high hopes for this production. I echo Lisa Macuja-Elizalde's sentiments, that it is a privilege and an interesting challenge to pass on the style and knowledge to the next generation of ballerinas. Let's see if Ballet Manila can once again enthrall audiences with Giselle. The show opens with guest stars on August 31, 2024, at 8:00 PM at the Aliw Theater, followed by a 5:00 PM show on September 1, 2024. Tickets are available on Ticketworld.

On the other side of town, the stage will also be adorned in white tulle. For the first time in Ballet Philippines history, they will be staging one of the earliest romantic ballets ever created. Dance Critic Steve Villaruz captured it perfectly, describing "La Sylphide" as a delightful drizzle that inspires the imagination. The storyline is poetic, blending a love story elements of enchantment. When this ballet was last performed, it created quite a stir in Manila with critics showering it with praise. Philippine Ballet Theatre showcased its exceptional cast, including Lisa Macuja Elizalde with Osias Barosso, Anna Villadolid with Raoul Banzon. It was three decades ago, and at that time, it was considered challenging. I am curious to see how BP dancers will find it now, considering their enhanced level of athleticism. This ballet demands a lot from the dancers, with sophisticated refinement in movement and sections that require dynamism, quick and clean footwork, and balon. Truly this will be a great challenge for Ballet Philippines. Artistic Director Misha Martynuk explained that while there was no special training for the dancers, but there was emphasis on the quality of movement and a consistent need to train cardio to sustain stamina. This ballet presents an opportunity for growth and progress for the dancers. With such a talented group of performers, I am excited to see if they can rise to the occasion. Taking on the lead roles of Sylph and James are Jemima Reyes, Regina Magbitang, and Nicole Barosso, supported by Rudolph Capungcol and Ian Ocampo. Incidentally, the production of LA SYLPHIDE also inaugurates the season’s theme of relevé, which in ballet means to rise onto the tips of the toes. La Sylphide actually introduced the concept of going on pointe. I'm beyond excited to see if their show will actually be enpointe in quality and storytelling. The show opens on August 9-11, 2024, at the Solaire Theatre. Tickets are likewise available Ticketworld.

Jemima Reyes as Sylph (Photo Courtesy of Ballet Philippines)

Both of these shows have storylines that hint at tragedy, but I sincerely hope that they will be triumphant, filled with love and joy from both the dancers and the audience members. May they articulate the August mood and fill the stages with mystique and magic. Sending both companies a whole lot of love. shows are a must-see, and I encourage everyone to come and experience them. See you at the theatre.