Grander things are yet to come to Ballet Philippines as it celebrates its 45th founding anniversary.
For one, it announced the re-staging of Giselle, regarded as one of ballet’s greatest pieces, which will kick off the Blue Moon Series, a two-week mini festival celebrating BP’s sapphire anniversary.
Re-staged by Nonoy Froilan, Philippines’ premier danseur, Giselle runs from September 19 to 21 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ (CCP) Main Theater.
Read: 10 things Stella Abrera likes about Manila
American Ballet Theater soloist Stella Abrera and principal dancer James Whiteside will perform in the September 19 fund-raising gala featuring live accompaniment by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Olivier Ochanine.
Abrera and Whiteside will essay the roles of Giselle and Albrecht, respectively.
The two-act ballet is a classical romantic tragedy of loss, forgiveness, and love beyond death. It is a familiar tale: two men are in love with her, but she chooses to surrender her heart to Albrecht, the suave newcomer who, as Giselle later finds out, is engaged to be married.
Ignoring her own suspicions and the well-meaning advice of Hilarion, her other suitor, Giselle eventually discovers the truth and ultimately, her heartbreak results in her demise. Yet she chooses to forgive her lover and save his life.
Abrera was born in the Philippines but later moved to the United States when she was four. She joined American Ballet Theater as a member of the corps de ballet in 1996 and was appointed soloist in 2001. Abrera received the Gold Medal at the Royal Academy of Dancing’s Adeline Genée Awards in London in 1995.
Meanwhile, James Whiteside was a principal dancer with Boston Ballet in 2009. He joined American Ballet Theater as a soloist in September 2012 and was named a Principal Dancer in October 2013.
Abrera noted that it is always a challenge to keep classical romantic ballets fresh and exciting for the current audiences.
“I very much love the traditional classical ballet,” she said. “They are full of tradition and serve as good reference point to compare what is now the contemporary ballet. The cliché variety of the spice of life is true. It is very culturally enriching.”
Ballet Philippines principal dancers Katherine Trofeo and Jean Marc Cordero, as well as newly promoted soloist Denise Parungao and junior principal dancer Earl John Arisola, will reprise their roles of Giselle and Albrecht for the other four shows.
The production also features Mailes Kanapi as Berthe, Giselle’s mother, with Froilan and Butch Esperanza alternating as the Duke of Courland, as well as Carissa Adea, Richardson Yadao, Rita Angela Winder, Maria Celina Dofitas, with Ballet Philippines’ company members, apprentices, and scholars.
As part of the festival, the Blue Moon Gala will feature BP’s favorite masterworks and other acclaimed award-winning works in line with the company’s sapphire milestone.
It will be performed at the CCP Main Theater on September 26 at 8pm and September 27 at 3pm and 8pm.
It will feature the following dances: “Je Tu Elle” choreographed by Redha Benteifour; “Farandole” choreographed by George Birkadze; “Salome” choreographed by Agnes Locsin; Cold Song choreographed by Max Luna III; “Bungkos Suite” choreographed by Alice Reyes; Nocturne choreographed by Carlo Pacis; “R/J” choreographed by George Birkadze; “For The Gods” choreographed by Denisa Reyes; “Don Quixote Grand Pas De Deux”; and “Songs Of The Wayfarer” choreographed by Norman Walker.
Paul Morales, artistic director of BP, said that the company has always been daring because it was the first to do classical and modern ballet at the same time, which was then considered revolutionary.
“It goes without saying that Ballet Philippines really believes in the Filipino artists be it dancers or choreographers,” Morales said. “It is really our mission to lift up the heart of dance and to showcase all these new talents.”
Giselle runs on Sep 19 3pm & 8 pm, Sep 20 2pm & 6pm, Sep 21 2 pm. Tickets: Group discounts call Ballet Philippines +63 2 5511003. Regular prices call CCP Box Office +63 2 8323704 or Ticketworld +63 2 8919999.
