Paquita

 Ballet Manila presents world premier of classic story ballet

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

Ballet Manila (BM) will formally present a full-length production of the classic “Paquita,” celebrating love and triumph in the world premiere of this highly emotional dance drama.

BM’s journey to Paquita began with a divertissement during its Pearl Anniversary last year. A divertissement is a short ballet usually used as an interlude.

“When I finally read it in full, I decided that it would be exciting and perfectly manageable to present a two-act classical ballet to Filipino audiences.

“I started to build the ballet chapter by chapter in my head. But the actual creation did not happen until I was in the studio in front of the dancers. The company’s 40-member ensemble is the perfect size to handle the intricate and challenging choreography,” said the company’s chief executive officer.

Set in Napoleon-conquered Spain, the story follows a young Romani woman, Paquita (Abigail Oliveiro), who saves the life of French officer Lucien (Mark Sumaylo), from a governor’s assassination plot. Along the way, she discovers her own noble heritage; allowing the couple to overcome rigid social barriers to love and marry in a happy ending that many Filipinos prefer.

“The story is similar to ‘Giselle’ but with a happy ending for the leads. It unfolds from a murder mystery with twists and turns like a telenovela. This is new production with new sets and costumes. The performers are strong, both in ballet and the Spanish style of dancing,” shared BM’s founder and artistic director during a presser at the Aliw Theater.

During the presser, the company presented a spot number from Act 1 – showing matadors and gypsy girls dancing for prominent French nobles; the opening scene of Act 2, a ballet mime (sign language) between the Spanish governor and Iñigo and their plot to kill Lucien; and the grand pas adaggio.

“Audiences will get to see things clearly in the divertissement. My Paquita seems to have two faces. I used to rehearse with my original partner, Joshua Enciso, who suffered from an injury. But now with a different partner, Mark Sumaylo, it’s a bit different; despite performing the same routine,” shared principal dancer Abigail Oliveiro who plays the titular character.

The full-length production is choreographed by Lisa Macuja Elizalde, based on the choreographybof Joseph Mazilier, Pierre Malavergne, and Marius Petipa.

“Act 1 shows the meeting of leads Paquita and Lucien, and third wheel Iñigo. Act 2 is the comic part culminating in the big revelation with a happy ending.

“Paquita is rarely produced as a full-length ballet. In this production, I do it with a prologue (something not normally done) so as to give the audience a clearer perspective on the narrative.

“I looked at strength and technique during the casting to be sure they get to perform and endure til the curtain call. Most interpretations of the support characters don’t usually dance, they simply mime. But here, they dance. It was easier to create the full-length version because of the help of existing choreography of the pas de trois and divertissement.

“We love story ballets, the classics, because it is important that we keep them alive by telling a story without a single word. And we need to continue telling these stories,” enthused Macuja Elizalde.

“Paquita” will have three presentations, starting with a gala on June 19 at 8 pm and two afternoon shows on June 20 and 21 at 5pm. All performances will be shown at the Aliw Theater.