La Bayadere
Ballet Manila mounts classical production on love and redemption By Earl D.C. Bracamonte Ballet Manila (BM) closes its Prima Season with Marius Petipa's "La Bayadere," a three-act ballet set in Royal India about a temple dancer (bayadere) who is embroiled in a deadly love triangle. “La Bayadere is the epitome of classical ballet as it holds a special place in Ballet Manila. We last performed it 13 years ago, with me playing the lead character, Nikiya. This is a great classical piece and audiences would find what they seek in a ballet production. “This show brings together generations of artists from both Mariinsky Ballet and Ballet Manila. La Bayadere has the most demanding roles in the entire ballet repertoire. This was the last ballet I was in from my Swan Song series that included Swan Lake, Romeo & Juliet, and Carmen. “This was also the last ballet I watched before leaving Russia. This is very sentimental for me. It makes me feel nostalgic seeing dancers from whe...
