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Tag: Ballet Manila

  • Ballet Manila’s Ibong Adarna takes flight anew at the Areté stage in Ateneo

    Ballet Manila’s Ibong Adarna takes flight anew at the Areté stage in Ateneo

    A magical  story that generations of Filipinos love and know by heart is once again set to  come alive in a completely different and enchanting way.

    This October, Ballet Manila brings Gerardo Francisco Jr.’s Ibong Adarna back to the stage, transforming the beloved Filipino tale of an enchanted bird, royal brothers, forbidden love, and a quest for healing into a spectacle of music, movement, and dance.

    BM Ballet Manilas Ibong Adarna takes flight anew at the Arete stage in Ateneo photo

    One of the company’s most beloved and performed productions, Ibong Adarna will be staged at Hyundai Hall, Areté, Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City on October 9 at 7:30 p.m. and October 10 at 5 p.m.

    “Ibong Adarna is one of Ballet Manila’s most requested offsite performances. This year, it already had two shows at Jose Rizal Coliseum in Laguna, and now the production is bound to return to Areté in Ateneo before continuing its way to Iloilo,” shared Lisa Macuja Elizalde, Ballet Manila’s CEO and Artistic Director.

    Ibong Adarna tells the story of a mythical bird whose magical song has the power to heal the sick. When King Fernando of the Kingdom of Berbanya falls ill with an incurable disease, his three sons — Don Pedro, Don Diego, and Don Juan — set out on a quest to find the legendary Adarna and bring it back to save their father. The prince who succeeds in capturing the bird will inherit the throne.

    The Areté run will feature a new set of leads from Ballet Manila’s powerhouse lineup. Performing as Ibong Adarna is Shaira Comeros, alongside Mark Sumaylo as Don Pedro, Rafael Perez as Don Juan, and Romeo Peralta as Don Diego. The alternate cast is led by Jessica Pearl Dames as Ibong Adarna, with Juan Angelo De Leon as Don Juan, Ralp John Balagot as Don Pedro, and Sean Pelegrin as Don Diego.

    Ibong Adarna is fast becoming a Filipino ballet classic. Although Ballet Manila has staged the production numerous times in various venues, each re-staging brings something new, shaped in large part by its evolving cast of dancers.

    “Every time we bring Ibong Adarna to a new audience, we discover something new about the story and the characters. That is what makes it special. It remains familiar to many Filipinos, but ballet allows us to experience the story in a different way,” Macuja Elizalde said.

    Staging Ibong Adarna at the Areté is part of Ballet Manila’s broader mission of bringing people to ballet and ballet to the people. By taking the production beyond the traditional theater setting and into communities or cities, the company opens more opportunities for audiences to experience live ballet and discover this art form through stories already part of Filipino culture.

    For those who may have encountered the classic tale in school, books, or childhood, Ballet Manila offers an exciting way to see the story as it combines a well-loved narrative with music, movement, complex characters, and the artistry of its dancers.

    Don’t miss Ibong Adarna at Hyundai Hall, Areté, Ateneo de Manila University on October 9 and 10 only. For tickets, visit Ticketworld at www.premier.ticketworld.com.ph. Keep up-to-date with Ballet Manila’s schedule of performances and celebration events by visiting www.balletmanila.com.ph.

  • Ballet Manila brings back global ballet superstars Renata Shakirova and Kimin Kim in La Bayadère

    Ballet Manila brings back global ballet superstars Renata Shakirova and Kimin Kim in La Bayadère

    Two of the world’s most celebrated ballet artists will once again step onto the Philippine stage to give Filipino audiences a glimpse of their extraordinary and world-renowned artistry, passion and technical brilliance.

    This August, Ballet Manila brings back ballet superstars Renata Shakirova and Kimin Kim, principal dancers of the Mariinsky Ballet, to breathe new life into the timeless classic, La Bayadère happening at the Aliw Theater on August 14 at 8 PM, and on August 15 and 16 at 5PM.  

    BM Ballet Manila brings back global ballet superstars Renata Shakirova and Kimin Kim in La Bayadere photo

    Notably, their return solidifies Ballet Manila’s long-standing mission of bringing world-class ballet closer to the Filipino audiences, giving local theatergoers a rare chance to witness internationally celebrated performers in the country. 

    “We are very excited to welcome Renata and Kimin back to Ballet Manila,” exclaimed Lisa Macuja Elizalde, Ballet Manila’s founder and artistic director.  She recalls with pride last year’s successful run of Don Quixote which starred the formidable duo. “Their performances in Don Quixote were truly unforgettable, and the response from Filipino audiences was overwhelming. It was a delight to see our audiences embrace them so warmly, and I know many have been looking forward to seeing them perform here again.”

    Kim and Shakirova bring exceptional credentials to the production. Shakirova, whose extraordinary talent was recognized early on, is already a recipient of the prestigious 2025 Benois de la Danse award – touted as the “Ballet Oscar.” The Tashkent, Uzbekistan-native is highly regarded for her musicality, dramatic depth, and commanding presence; thus, establishing herself as one of the Mariinsky’s top prima ballerinas.

    Conversely, Kim started ballet relatively late – at around 10 years old – but made his mark as the first foreign male principal dancer in the Mariinsky Ballet’s history.  He is also highly acclaimed worldwide for his remarkable athleticism and precise technique. As a pair, they are just as impressive having won the Russia-Kultura TV’s Grand Ballet competition in 2016. 

    The couple are no strangers to La Bayadère, one of the celebrated masterpieces in ballet. Set in ancient India, the story follows the tragic love story of the temple dancer (bayadère) Nikiya and the warrior Solor. The High Brahmin (high priest), who is also in love with Nikiya, learns of her relationship with Solor and asks the Rajah to kill Solor. But his plan backfires when the Rajah orders Nikiya to be killed instead. The classic melodramatic love triangle spans both the mortal world and afterlife. 

    At the Mariinsky Theatre, Kim regularly performs the role of the noble warrior Solor, while Shakirova has portrayed both the Nikya and the regal Gamzatti, highlighting her versatility that has earned her international acclaim.

    “Renata and Kim’s extensive experience with La Bayadère promises Filipinos audiences a moving and authentic interpretation of Marius Petipa’s enduring masterpiece. We hope that by the end of the show, the audience will have a renewed love for ballet,” concluded Lisa Macuja Elizalde. 

    Stay up-to-date with Ballet Manila’s schedule of performances and celebration events by visiting Ballet Manila’s website www.balletmanila.com.ph or Ticketworld page www.ticketworld.com.ph