Ballet Manila’s 'Swan Lake' to Feature Dancers from San Francisco Ballet
Philippine dance company Ballet Manila is set to restage “Swan Lake” this May, which will feature guest dancers from the San Francisco Ballet.
As part of their “Pearl Year” celebrations, the company will perform five shows of the beloved ballet starting May 30 at the Aliw Theatre in Pasay City. This season of performances is a step forward in Ballet Manila’s mission to make ballet more accessible for Filipinos through milestone productions, world-class performances, and international guests.
Their version of “Swan Lake” will shine the spotlight on principal dancers Esteban Hernandez and Abigail Oliveiro, who will play the leading roles of Prince Seigfried and Odette/Odile. The upcoming production will also welcome two guest dancers from the San Francisco Ballet: soloist Katherine Barkman and company artist, Nathaniel Remez.
Tickets can be purchased via TicketWorld and will only have two categories for both matinee and regular show times with prices ranging from P2,060 (center seats) to P721 (right and left section). You can buy your tickets here.
Show Schedules & Ticket Prices
May 30 (Friday)
- 8 PM - P2,060 and P1,030
May 31 (Saturday)
- 1 PM – P1,442 and P721
- 5 PM – P2,060 and P1,030
June 1 (Sunday)
- 1 PM – P1,442 (*right and left sections are sold out)
- 5 PM - P2,060 and P1,030
Nathaniel Remez and Abigail Oliveiro will perform on the matinee shows, while the regular shows will showcase Esteban Hernandez & Katherine Barkman.
This production marks the homecoming of Katherine Barkman, who was the principal dancer of Ballet Manila and a mentee of the company's Artistic Director Lisa Macuja Elizalde. Lisa also danced the role of Odette/Odile in the company’s “Swan Lake” productions in 2003, 2007, and 2011. In an article from Ballet Manila in 2017, the prima ballerina described the role as one of the most difficult to portray.
“It not only calls for a chameleon-like change in character, but also for extraordinary technical requirements,” she explained. “For Odette, you need to be soft, pliant, and lyrical with an almost painful vulnerability. For Odile, you need legs and arms of steel, a fiery technique, speed, and the ability to transform into evil personified.”
Ballet Manila has staged the full-length version of “Swan Lake” more than any other Philippine-based classical ballet company.
For updates, follow Ballet Manila on Facebook, X (Formerly Twitter), and Instagram.
Location: Aliw Theatre, Vicente Sotto Street, CCP Complex, Pasay City
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