Humans crave love stories, from sweet beginnings to painful breakups. Maybe it’s Marites-ness, vicarious living, or yearning for “The One”. Whatever the reason, happy endings keep us hooked, fueling romance movies, K-dramas, and telenovelas.
But we know that life is not always a bed of roses. Take, for instance, the love story of Medora and Conrad in Le Corsaire. A ballet in three acts based on the 1814 poem by Lord Byron, the classical ballet follows the adventures of a pirate named Cornad who falls in love with a Greek woman named Medora whom he rescues from slave traders.
For its 26th ballet season, Ballet Manila will perform this classic ballet as a season-opener, slated on Feb. 24, 8:00 p.m., and Feb. 25, 5:00 p.m., at the Aliw Theater in Pasay City.
The ballet company was the first to perform Le Corsaire in Southeast Asia in 1998. Back then, BM artistic director and prima ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde was pregnant with her first child. The late Osias Barroso – the forever dance partner of Macuja-Elizalde – took the lead role of Conrad, dancing with ballerina Pamela Asprer as Medora.
Four years later, in 2002, Macuja-Elizalde danced as Medora when the company restaged the piece with an all-Filipino cast. Of course, Barroso reprised his role as Conrad. Providing corps de ballet was the Krasnoyarsk Ballet.
This time, BM is making another history, with Macuja-Elizalde creating her version Le Corsaire.
Dreaming of a stronger Medora, Elizalde reworks Le Corsaire,”\ pushing the damsel past capture/rescue cycles. “It should build!” she says. Meanwhile, the ballet’s appeal? Its wealth of roles – each a platform for virtuosity and brilliance.
After the swashbuckling romantic tale, the season continues with Tatlong Kwento ni Lola Basyang, on stage on May 11, 8:00 p.m., and May 12 and 18, 5:00 p.m.
“The idea to create a ballet from the Anvil Publishing books of Mga Kuwento Ni Lola Basyang came about during my children’s book fair. I saw the entire collection of children’s books displayed in their school library, and I bought all 12. After, I called a meeting with my artistic team. I put all 12 books on the table and told them to choose one to make into a ballet,” shared the BM artistic director.
Finding all stories to be worth sharing with a wider audience, the artistic team had a difficult time selecting only three stories but eventually ended up with those whose themes centered on romance, adventure, and comedy. The production is based on multi-awarded children’s book writer Christine Bellen Ang’s retelling of Reyes’ stories.
For this special production, Ballet Manila partnered with Anvil Publishing to keep the legacy of renowned Filipino writer Severino Reyes alive.
“We hope it reaches and inspires more people to appreciate and support different forms of local art and culture. An original Filipino story performed through dance is something that the Philippines can be proud of,” said Anvil Publishing president Xandra Ramos Padilla, adding that Lola Basyang’s stories are “well and widely loved by generations because they teach values and help instill a child’s love for reading.”
Celebrated artist Mitch Valdez will take on the role of Lola Basyang. Having been active in the local theater and entertainment scene for over 50 years, the seasoned comic-singer-actress is just the right person to give life to the character, with her signature and humor.
Asked how she would make her character different, Valdez replied: “I will ask Lisa (Macuja) if Lola Basyang can get up from her rocking chair for some choreography. Maybe up on pointe for five seconds!”
Ballet Manila’s season concludes with the romantic Giselle, followed by exciting premieres of Florante at Laura and a modern Ang Ibong Adarna. The year ends with a festive Snow White.