Mariinsky Ballet superstars Kimin Kim and Renata Shakirova lead Ballet Manila’s Don Quixote in a historic Philippine debut

Mariinsky Ballet principal dancers Kimin Kim and Renata Shakirova

Ballet Manila’s Pearl Year Performance Season reaches a spectacular finale with the highly anticipated production of Don Quixote, featuring Mariinsky Ballet principal dancers Kimin Kim and Renata Shakirova. Taking on the role of Basilio, this marks Kim’s first ever performance in the Philippines.  Following her triumphant performance in Ballet Manila’s “Giselle” last year, Shakirova returns to perform the role of Kitri.

Kim is the first foreign male principal dancer in Mariinsky Ballet’s illustrious history, a groundbreaking achievement in the Russian ballet world. Born in Seoul, South Korea, he was introduced to ballet at the age of 10 when his mother, a composer, encouraged him to pursue the art. He trained under former Mariinsky soloists Margarita Kullik and Vladimir Kim at the Korea National University of Arts, refining his technique in the Vaganova method. His exceptional talent quickly gained international recognition, earning him top honors in prestigious ballet competitions, including Moscow, Varna, and Jackson.

Ballet Manila brings an extended run of Florante at Laura to Hyundai Hall in Areté

Responding to overwhelmingly positive reviews, Ballet Manila is set to rekindle the magic of Florante at Laura, the iconic Filipino epic poem turned ballet, with a much-anticipated restaging, this time at the Hyundai Hall, Areté, Ateneo de Manila University, in Quezon City, from November 22 to 24, 2024. The production recently captivated audiences with its stunning choreography, evocative original music, and breathtaking dancing during its triumphant world premiere at the Aliw Theater last month.

A Filipino literary masterpiece, ‘Florante at Laura,’ was written in 1838 by the Prince of Tagalog Poets, Francisco ‘Balagtas’ Baltasar. It is a narrative poem that tells the story of Florante, the Duke of Albania, who is captured by Turks. His beloved Laura is forced to marry Count Adolfo, the usurper. With the help of the warrior Aladin, Florante escapes, returns to confront Adolfo, and seeks redemption as he reunites with Laura.

The country’s creative powerhouses bring to life Ballet Manila’s Ang Tatlong Kwento ni Lola Basyang

Ballet Manila once again unearths the magical baul of Lola Basyang as it transports its audience to a world of fantastic dance, music and spectacular visuals with Ang Tatlong Kwento ni Lola Basyang set to happen at Aliw Theater from May 11, 2024 at 8PM and May 12 &18, 2024 at 5PM.

The second show among the repertoire for Ballet Manila’s 26^th Performance Season aptly titled “Ballet Masterpieces,” Ang Tatlong Kwento ni Lola Basyang is based on the retellings of Severino Reyes’ stories by Christine Bellen Ang.   Published by Anvil Publishing, the three stories are an engaging mix of romance, adventure and comedy, touching on such universal themes as loyalty and commitment to family, the power of humility and of course, love conquers all.

Ibong Adarna soars anew in Ballet Manila’s 25th season

Ballet Manila closes 25th performance season with Ibong Adarna 

Lessons on love, forgiveness and the triumph of good over evil once again take center stage as Gerardo Francisco re-stages his award-winning Ibong Adarna on August 19 and 20, 2023 at the Aliw Theater to conclude Ballet Manila’s 25^th performance season, “Of Hope and Homecoming”.

“After a three-year hiatus, we’re so excited to let Ibong Adarna take flight once again and show Filipino audiences its captivating beauty as well as bring to fore valuable Filipino traits such as love for family, forgiveness, kindness, and good over evil,” said Lisa Macuja Elizalde, Ballet Manila’s founder, artistic director, and chief executive officer.

Ballet Manila’s Sleeping Beauty world premiere.

Ballet Manila, the Philippines’ most solidly trained classical ballet company, held a special preview of its upcoming production of Sleeping Beauty at the Ballet Manila studios in Pasay City. 

The production is part of the company's 24th performance season and is the conclusion of Lisa Macuja Elizalde’s Princess Trilogy. 

Like a phoenix, Ballet Manila rises with Sleeping Beauty

“We are a team, a family. As one, we will continue to fight and work hard and overcome this together.” That was the statement of Ballet Manila CEO and artistic director Lisa Macuja Elizalde as her dance company continues to show strength and resilience after the fire that razed its home venue, Aliw Theater, and temporarily set askew the company’s planned 24th performance season lineup.

It has been more than two months since the tragedy; and the dance company is slowly getting back on its feet, rising from the ashes like the proverbial phoenix to carry on with its goals and mission.“We went back to the original motto of Ballet Manila – ‘have floor, will dance.’ That was what we did before the existence of Aliw Theater and Star Theater. And that is what we will do,” she said.

Ballet Manila launches "On Pointé" 24th Performance Season

Ballet Manila, the most solidly trained classical ballet company in the Philippines, has launched its 24th Performance Season with the theme "On Pointé" at S'Maison in Pasay City. 

During the launch, guests were given an impressive preview of the company's upcoming shows for the season, namely Snow White (September 7-8, 2019), Giselle (October 19-20, 2019), Sleeping Beauty (December 7-8, 2019), and Carmina Burana and La Traviata (February 29 and March 1, 2020). 

Ballet Manila closes 23rd performance season with DEUX

After a spectacular 23rd performance season, Ballet Manila is set to close its curtains with Deux, a double header that gracefully combines classical and contemporary ballet. The show will be held at the Aliw Theater, CCP Complex on March 2 and 9 at 6PM and March 3 and 10 at 3PM.