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The company used to have 50-60 dancers (with 32 strong corps de ballet girls), which gave them the ability to do full-length classical ballets. Now, they have been reduced to 20 dancers, making them currently unable to perform the classics.
Macuja-Elizalde says, “We cannot do a Swan Lake, we cannot do a Giselle, but we can do Romeo and Juliet next season, we are doing Cinderella, we are doing Don Quixote, we are combining our efforts with the Lisa Macuja School of Ballet to enter into the stage and to work with our more advanced students and our children in the school to put up the classical ballet productions.”
“There are many changes, many challenges that we are facing, but I feel that the phoenix is rising and as I said, leaner, meaner, better, and ready to adapt to any kind of change that the wind shall bring.” she continues. These changes also include the exit of co-artistic director, Osias Barroso due to health problems.
Before the start of the 25th performance season in February 2023, the company will have two special shows this year. First is a twin-bill entitled Rise!, featuring La Traviata and Ballet & Ballads. La Traviata, previously mounted as a twin-bill with Carmina Burana, was the last ballet that the company performed before the 2020 lockdown.
The upcoming twin-bill will be a special event meant to mark the return of Ballet Manila to full live performances in its home venue, Aliw Theater. It is also meant to showcase the full capabilities of the newly renovated venue. The show will feature classical ballet, live opera singers, pop singers, and a full orchestra. Gerard Salonga will be the musical director and conductor, featuring a performance by baritone Andrew Fernando. The show will be staged on October 7, 8pm and October 9, 5pm.
