Jose Rizal's birthday is just around the corner, and instead of reposting photos and quotes from the National Hero on Facebook, why not peel yourself from the chair, unplug from the cyberworld, go out there in the real world, and experience Rizal's genius through a show incomparable to any YouTube clip?
Transport yourself back in Noli times as Ballet Philippines' Crisostomo Ibarra makes its comeback to CCP for Rizal's sesquicentennial, in two weekends this June. Awarded "Outstanding Dance Production of 2010" by the Gawad Buhay! Awards for the Performing Arts and having had a successul local and international tour, Ibarra returns to the local stage to feed your soul with a performance that garnered praises and standing ovations, and left the audience tear-eyed.
At the recently held Ballet Philippines' press briefing at the Manila Yacht Club, we were given a sneak preview of Ibarra on the deck against a backdrop of gray skies and a misty Manila Bay-- an excerpt titled "Halik," the dramatic farewell scene between Ibarra and Maria Clara. As the narrative was told in pirouettes and other beautiful ballet moves that I cannot name, and Jed Balsamo's original music weaving between the soulful movements of the dancers, evoking grief and passion, and a strong sense of time and place, I was simply swept away. Inspired. And yearning for more.
Choreographed by BP artistic director Paul Alexander Morales, Ibarra certainly left an impression on me, just the same way it did its past audience:
"Artistic director Paul Alexander Morales’ powerful and imaginative choreography showed off his dancers' versatility and fluid grace against Jed Balsamo's stirring music throughout the eight scenes that made up the 80-minute performance."
-The Department of Foreign Affairs
"Artistic Director Paul Alexander Morales uses ballet steps innovatively and combines them with unusual jumps and leaps. Like the works of Alice Reyes, Edna Vida, Gener Caringal and Agnes Locsin, Crisostomo Ibarra is full of indigenous movements."
-Honorary President Dr. Chua Soo Pong of the Victoria Dance School Singapore
"The score was very emotive and even haunting at times and the dancing was beautiful. The Philippines is lucky to have such a talented dance company."
-Dr. Kenneth Chan, Singaporean audience
So, get out of your cyberworld rut and indulge yourself in a memorable and inspiring experience as Ballet Philippines brings to life Rizal's timeless character Ibarra, as well as his ideologies, and proving once again the talent of the Filipino people in the performing arts.
Crisostomo Ibarra will be held at the CCP Little Theater on the following dates:
June 16, 2012, 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
June 17, 2012, 2:00 p.m.
June 23, 2012, 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
June 24, 2012, 2:00 p.m.
*Tickets: P600 for Matinees, P1000 for Gala Shows
The two evening performances features the live performance of Jed Balsamo’s noted original score with five leading musicians performing for these special Gala nights. Ballet Philippines’ principal dancer Candice Adea, who won first prize in the Senior Women’s Division at the recently concluded Helsinki International Ballet Competition, will reprise her role as Maria Clara at the last performance on June 24th.
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