Ballet Philippines Opens 47th Season with “Firebird and Other Ballets”

Wazzup Pilipinas!

“Wings,” the 47th performance season of Ballet Philippines, kicks off with “Firebird and Other Ballets” from August 19 to 21 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo or CCP Main Theater.

The country’s flagship classical and contemporary dance company revives the timeless tale of love and adventure set to Igor Stravinsky’s enchanting and groundbreaking musical score. The show, which is a mixed bill of contemporary and neo-classical works, features pieces by David Campos, Dwight Rodrigazo, Carlo Pacis and an all-new Firebird by Russian-born choreographer George Birkadze.

Birkadze brings a fresh approach to the mystical Firebird and reimagines the Russian folk tale into a pre-Hispanic Philippine setting. Fashion educator and artist Mark Lewis Higgins designed the ballet’s costumes with the help of students from Slim’s Fashion & Arts School. Higgins takes inspiration from historical documents such as the Boxer Codex, and using elements such as gold, spices, and porcelain.

Meanwhile, renowned Spanish choreographer Campos draws from the company’s unique strengths as he reworks “Ne Neh Ledej” for the cast. The piece, originally performed by Ballet David Campos, is a witty take on neo-classical ballet.

Rodrigazo’s “Moving Two” is a contemporary pas de deux (a dance duet in which two dancers, typically a male and a female, perform ballet steps together) originally choreographed for Candice Adea and Jean Marc Cordero after their victory at the USA International Ballet Competition in 2011.

Finally, Pacis’ “Shifting Wait,” originally choreographed in 2010, won the Gawad Buhay for Outstanding Choreography in Modern Dance. This production features an expanded version of the piece, with an added third movement, and six pairs of dancers instead of the original four.

“Firebird and Other Ballets” will be staged on August 19, 8 p.m., August 20 and 21, 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. For inquiries, visit www.ballet.ph, email info@ballet.ph, or call Ballet Philippines at 551-1003.

The other productions lined up for BP’s 47th season include “Bagong Sayaw” from September 9 to 18 at the CCP Studio Theater, “Crisostomo Ibarra” back to back with “Simoun” from October 21 to 23 at the CCP Main Theater, “Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko” from December 2 to 11 at the CCP Main Theater, and a full-length production of “Swan Lake” from February 24 to March 5, 2017 at the CCP Main Theater (SBS).