As I watched Swan Lake by the Philippine Ballet Theater, I asked these questions, and saw the answer with my own eyes. But then again, I still had no words to describe it. When Odette moved to center with Siegfried and gracefully performed their repertoire, their fluid motion engaged the audience into the fairy tale of lovetheat cannot be. Of course at that time, my only recollection of the story of the Swan Lake was that Odette was a maiden cursed to become a swan. But even without words, the story already unfolded from the moment the two lovers met up to the time they were able to free Odette from the curse.
- Although I am not an avid fan of ballet, one thing is for sure: I realize that romance can be expressed more profoundly in graceful movements and beyond words.
The essence of the ballet, as in any dance, is to use graceful body movement to express feelings: anger, fear, love, hate, passion, weakness, among the others. But its not always easy to understand the story without words. You listen to the music and feel the chances in the tempo and mood. Then you watch the dancers perform their splits, pirouettes and rhythm in their movements.
For the untrained (and I am not far from it), These movements and sounds may seem like simple musical cimpositions ( though Peter LLytch Tchaikovsky's music can hardly be called simple) and good choreography put together by a group of artists who love their art. But in my limited exposure to ballet, I do feel an energy that moves from the stage to the audince as the mood of the music and the dance change, every time I get to watch a ballet perfomance.
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BALLET MANILA OPENS 2008 SUMMER WORKSHOP
Don’t miss the opportunity to be trained by members of the country’s premiere classical ballet company, under the creative and able leadership of prima ballerina Lisa Macuja Elizalde. Be there when Ballet Manila School opens its 2008 summer workshop, which will run from March 31 to May 16.
The courses include: Baby Ballet, Level I A, Level IB, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4, Pointe Classes, Adult Ballet and Mat Pilates for boys and girls.
Classes will be held for one hour everyday, Mondays to Fridays, at the Ballet Manila School studios, 1915 Donada St, Pasay City. Saturday and Sunday rehearsals may also be scheduled upon the discretion of the Artistic Director and Artistic Associate.
As it does each year, the BM workshop will conclude with the “Just Dance” recital concert, where students will showcase their talents on May 17 and 18, at the Star Theatre, CCP Complex, Pasay City.
Applications are open until March 31. For inquiries and other details, please call Ballet Manila at 525-5967 or 400-0292. You may also email info@balletmanila.ph.
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