Lisa Macuja headlines Ballet Manila's 'Giselle'

MANILA, Philippines - Prima ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde performs one of her favorite roles — and one of classical ballet’s most beloved heroines — as Ballet Manila brings back Giselle to the stage. The two-act production, as presented by the Manila Broadcasting Company, will be held on May 29, 7:30 p.m., and on May 30, 3 p.m., at the Aliw Theater, CCP Complex, Pasay City.

Giselle is part of Lisa’s yearlong celebration of her 25th anniversary as a professional ballerina. The last time she portrayed this role was in 2005 and admittedly, it is one that she has missed dancing.

“It is one of the most dramatic ballets that a ballerina can be privileged enough to dance in, and also one of the most exhausting roles. It’s a story of love so strong that it causes a girl’s madness and death. It also causes her to rise from the grave and save the man who wronged her,” Lisa notes.

Giselle is a peasant girl who falls in love with Albrecht, a teasing prince. When she finds out that she’s been led on, she dies of grief. In the second act, Albrecht visits her grave to beg her forgiveness. Giselle has become one with the Wilis, the souls of girls who died from grief and heartache. The Wilis capture Albrecht, and command him to dance until he dies of exhaustion. Giselle pleads for him and dances in his place until the sun comes up and the Wilis must return to their graves.

“It is one of the most poignant roles I’ve ever danced,” Lisa affirms. “It demands the utmost energy and acting ability, because even when Giselle is dancing strenuously difficult parts, the ballerina must make it look like she’s a spirit floating lightly on air. You’re supposed to convey weightlessness.”

Giselle is significant for Lisa as it was in its full-length production that she had her first soloist role as a member of the Kirov Ballet in 1984. She danced then as the Peasant Pas Deux girl in Act 1. Her first performance upon coming home from Russia was as Giselle when the ballet’s Act 2 was presented at the Metropolitan Theater. In that show, she danced opposite Nonoy Froilan, with Osias Barroso dancing the supporting role of Hilarion. The two danseurs would later become two of Lisa’s most enduring partners.

Ballet Manila’s production of Giselle is made even more special with the participation of actress Chin Chin Gutierrez as the Duchess Bathilde who makes up the love triangle with Giselle and Albrecht. Alternating as Lisa’s Albrechts are soloists Rudy de Dios and Nazer Salgado who are dancing the full Giselle for the first time.

Giselle is a benefit for Project Ballet Futures, Ballet Manila’s scholarship program for underprivileged kids. The program currently has 40 scholars who are given ballet training and equipment, meals and vitamins and transportation allowance.

For ticket inquiries, call Ballet Manila at 400-0292 or 525-5967 or Ticketworld at 891-9999; e-mail info@balletmanila.ph; or visit the websites www.balletmanila.ph or www.ticketworld.com.ph.