Ballet Manila sets sail on a pirate adventure with 'Le Corsaire'

By: Anjie Ureta, ABS CBN

The Pasha and his Odalisques are among the many colorful characters in 'Le Corsaire.' Handout

MANILA -- For its 23rd performance season, Ballet Manila brings back one of the world’s most breathtaking ballet productions, "Le Corsaire," which goes onstage for one weekend only – at 6 p.m. on Saturday, October 20, and at 3 p.m. on October 21 at the Aliw Theater.

“Amongst ourselves, we often joke about 'Le Corsaire' being a ‘full-length pirate adventure on pointes’ simply because that is exactly what it is — the thrilling escapade of a dashing pirate whose romance with a beautiful harem girl unfolds amidst a backdrop of sword fights and shipwrecks, abduction and conspiracy, passion and betrayal -- all highlighted by an impressive array of some the most dazzling choreographic centerpieces ever assembled in a full-length production,” BM artistic director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde says.

Macuja-Elizalde reveals that it has been five years since Ballet Manila last staged "Le Corsaire" because of its highly challenging production and artistic demands. 

But they also found it to be the perfect ballet to showcase two prize-winning jewels in the BM crown: Katherine Barkman, who recently won back-to-back silver medals from two of the world’s most prestigious international ballet competitions, the USA IBC in Jackson and the Varna IBC in Bulgaria; and Nicole Barroso, who made it to the finals of the USA IBC and came home with a Jury Encouragement Award.

Katherine Barkman debuts as Medora partnered by Joseph Phillips as the pirate Conrad. Handout

The opening gala of "Le Corsaire" will also serve as the farewell performance Barkman, who has recently signed up with The Washington Ballet, following a personal invitation from the company’s artistic director, Julie Kent. 

The 21-year-old American ballerina moved to the Philippines in 2015 to join Ballet Manila as the company’s youngest principal dancer. Under the guidance of Macuja-Elizalde herself, Barkman has since performed every major female role in the classical ballet repertoire, closing the loop with her upcoming debut as Medora.

“We will miss her terribly but we know that she has made the right decision, moving forward and opening herself to new adventures that can only enrich and embolden her as a dancer and as a person. We are happy to have been part of her artistic journey and would like to send her off with our very best wishes. We are extremely proud of her. She will always be part of the BM family,”
Macuja-Elizalde says.

For the Saturday gala, Barkman will be dancing with guest principal Joseph Phillips as Conrad. Newly promoted soloist Barroso makes her debut as Gulnara, joining the all-star cast that includes BM principals Gerard Francisco as Ali, Elpidio Magat as Lankadem, and Romeo Peralta as Birbanto.

Gerardo Franciso reprises his award-winning role as Ali. Handout

Meanwhile, an equally stellar line-up awaits Sunday matinee audiences, led by principals Abigail Oliveiro (Medora) and Rudy de Dios (Lankadem), with soloists Mark Sumaylo (Conrad), Pia Dames (Gulnara), and Rudolph Capongcol (Ali), and company artists Godwin Merano (Birbanto) and John de Dios (Ali).

“One unique attribute of 'Le Corsaire' is that allows many more dancers to shine and to familiarize themselves with this incredibly difficult, yet exhilarating two-hour spectacle,” explains Macuja-Elizalde. 

“While the storyline is pretty straightforward, it is actually a highly demanding ballet where the principal characters are challenged to display pyrotechnics at every turn. They share the limelight in several grand pas de deux, pas de trois, and extremely demanding solo variations. Moreover, it’s one of the few male-centered ballets that provide danseurs ample opportunity to show off their technique and strength in fierce choreographic duels onstage!”