For her 60th birthday, Ballet Manila artistic director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde had no desire for fancy jewelry, a new car, or extravagant gifts. Instead, she dreamed of producing an original ballet to share with the Filipino people.
“I always told my husband, he should just give me a new ballet. That’s how I want to celebrate my birthday. As I say every year, I celebrate my birthday with an original creation. This year, it’s Florante at Laura,” Macuja-Elizalde shared during the press conference for Ballet Manila’s new production, which will premiere on Oct. 12 at 8:00 p.m. at Aliw Theater.
Two years ago, Macuja-Elizalde celebrated her birthday with the relaunch of the restored Aliw Theater, presenting Rise, which featured Ballet & Ballads and a retelling of La Traviata. It marked a new chapter for Ballet Manila after the pandemic and a fire that destroyed their home.
For her golden birthday, she performed Gold, returning to her classical roots with excerpts from roles like Princess Aurora in Sleeping Beauty and Romeo and Juliet, alongside Mikhail Martynyuk and Rudy De Dios.
Her birthday wish: “For people to rush to buy ballet tickets as they do for Broadway or K-pop.”
Now, she’s thrilled for Florante at Laura, an original ballet with choreography by Gerardo Francisco Jr. and Martin Lawrance, and music by National Artist Ryan Cayabyab.
“Something magical happens when artists come together. Florante at Laura was a project that was going to be Gerardo’s next epic adventure. This was planned well before the pandemic,” recalled Macuja-Elizalde. Francisco, Ballet Manila’s longtime principal dancer and co-artistic associate, was the choreographer behind the award-winning Ibong Adarna.
For Florante at Laura, he collaborates with British choreographer Lawrance, who previously choreographed Ballet Manila’s innovative retelling of Romeo and Juliet in a Filipino setting.
Francisco noted, “Clear communication, thorough discussions, and mutual support were crucial in keeping us on track.” Lawrance agreed: “We just seem to click and bounce ideas off each other. It has been a very fruitful collaboration. Communication has been key.”
With two choreographers on board, the project gained momentum when Macuja-Elizalde invited Professor Michael Coroza as a guest on her show Art 2 Art and asked him to create the libretto for Florante at Laura. The search for a composer then began. Macuja-Elizalde envisioned someone who could create original compositions akin to a Filipino Tchaikovsky—sweeping, dramatic, powerful, and romantic. There was only one person in her mind: National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab.
“It had been quite some time since I wrote a large musical work. Before I start creating music, mutual understanding among the other creatives and the producer regarding style and medium is essential,” shared the National Artist.
Breathing life into his original compositions is the Orchestra of the Filipino Youth (OFY), conducted by his son Toma—another dream fulfilled for Mr. C, as he is fondly called.
“Everything is a surprise and wonder for me. I challenged myself by accepting this landmark ballet production, and I hope it becomes an important legacy for all of us involved,” he added.
Published in 1838, Florante at Laura follows the story of Florante, a duke captured and enslaved by the Turks. With the help of Aladin, he escapes his captors and returns to Albania to confront the usurper Count Adolfo, seek redemption, and reunite with his beloved Laura.
To convey the story’s universal themes of love, betrayal, and friendship through dramatic visuals, Ballet Manila has enlisted the expertise of key players with decades of experience in local and international productions. Set designer Mio Infante explained that his designs depict not just the story’s actual settings.
“This epic ballet includes diverse locations that symbolize the internal and external conflicts of the characters, as well as broader themes of love, war, loyalty, and betrayal.”
Complementing his designs are stunning costumes from Make It Happen, led by Otto Hernandez and Therese Arroyo Hernandez. Meanwhile, lighting director John Batalla emphasizes the importance of a distinct lighting color palette to differentiate the various locales in Florante at Laura.
“Mood is certainly a major aspect that lighting must address in a production like this to transport the audience to a different time and place,” he said.
Following the success of Ibong Adarna, we are confident that this new ballet production will be something the country can be proud of.
“That’s why we work so hard every day—to create art that people will want to watch again and again,” Macuja-Elizalde concluded.
For tickets, visit www.ticketworld.com.ph. To learn more about Ballet Manila and its shows, visit www.balletmanila.com.ph.
