28 years
of
Community Service
MUNTING NAYON
News Magazine
Operated by couple Eddie Flores and Orquidia Valenzuela
News and Views of the
Filipino Community Worldwide
The Arts

A GISELLE TO REMEMBER A DANCE ICON BY



By Pablo A. Tariman
Manila
June 29, 2016

 
 


       One weekend last week saw the collaboration between three leading dance companies in a week of new works, revivals and a special run of Giselle as a tribute to dance icon, Felicitas “Tita” Radaic.

       We caught up with a matinee Giselle which was an all-Ballet Manila production restaged by a creative team led by ballet master Osias Barroso.

       As it was, the production was refresher course on the romantic ballet which is a virtual litmus test for any aspiring ballerina.

       The title role of Giselle has two faces in life and in death and here Albrecht has to be both technically strong but emotionally vulnerable.

       Here Katherine Barkman proved equal to the part as far as characterization is concerned. She was lissome and adorable in the first act and an eerie figure in an ensemble of midnight wilis exacting revenge on wayward Lotharios. Her mad scene had its share of poignant moments and indeed the ensemble of Ballet Manila proved equal to the challenge with a well-synchronized, if breathtaking, ensemble support.

       On the other hand, one could sense some debut jitters but as always, they are outweighed by gallant effort to make it through this highly demanding ballet.

       While Barkman’s characterization was fine, she should work on her footwork in in the Act 2 pas de deux -- indeed the ballet’s most magical moment and the most awaited.

       On the other hand, the Albrecht of Rudy de Dios was well-delineated and utterly so consistent one ended up closely following how he would evolve from Act 1 to Act 2. His dancing had magnetic precision and his acting would be at par with any Giselle of consequence. His maturity was at once commendable but to his credit, he was a marvelous partner always at the beck and call and perpetually supportive of his embattled Giselle.

       The Myrtha of Dawn Mangahas had its strong, if, piquant, moments, the Bathilde of Lisa Macuja Elizalde had dual fronts: icy on the outside yet compassionate but helplessly wary of class divide confronting the characters.

       The Peasant Pas de Deux of Tiffany Chiang and Gerardo Francisco had its glorious moments.

       And yet the Act 2 ensemble dancing of the wilis virtually outshone its soloists with its share of cheers and loud bravos. Those images in white and in perfect formation in varied angles must have mesmerized the audience they forgot Giselle was going back to her grave and Albrecht had to say his final, heart-rending goodbye.

       The graveyard scene was an apt and eloquent ending and on the whole, the production was a testament to the dedication and competence of a new generation of dance mentors.


    Tweet
    MoreA GISELLE TO REMEMBER A DANCE ICON BY
    Pablo A. Tariman

           One weekend last week saw the collaboration between three leading dance companies in a week of new...
    MorePPO IN TIP-TOP SHAPE FOR  CARNEGIE HALL IN NEW YORK JUNE 18
    Pablo A. Tariman

       
    A fairly good audience attended the send off concert of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra Friday night and they were not...
    MoreSHOULD CHANGE COME WITH ‘UNCOUTH’ PUBLIC BEHAVIOR?
    Pablo A. Tariman

            At the rate he is courting controversy even before he can formally assume office, President-elect Rody Duterte is “making...
    MoreGUESS WHO CAME TO DINNER
    Pablo A. Tariman

    I expected a quiet dinner punctuated by guffaws.
    I am more than at home with this showbiz colleague –...
    MoreRELIVING THE  PH ELECTION LANDSCAPE
    Pablo A. Tariman

                If you managed to survive the last elections, this is a good time as any to re-live it...
     
    MoreFLERRIE V, THE VISUAL ARTIST
    Flerida Vicencio

     ...
    MoreLONDON TO HOST WORLD PREMIERE OF NEW MUSICAL MARCO POLO – AN UNTOLD LOVE STORY
    Angela Oakes

    The world premiere of new musical - Marco Polo, An Untold Love Story - is taking place in London this Summer at...
    MoreWhite Camel Youth Basketball Camp inilunsad sa Riyadh
    Marlon Baris Vicente

    RIYADH: Isang makabuluhang araw ang ika-29 ng Hulyo 2016 para sa mga batang nagnanais magkaroon ng pormal na kaalaman sa...
    MoreKnights of Columbus # 9144 Pilgrimage to Quebec
    Dindo Orbeso

    To Celebrate the Jubilee Year of Mercy, the Prince of Peace Knights of Columbus Council # 9144  brought...
     
    More`CON AMOR’ FOUNDATION B0ARD MEMBERS VISIT PROJECTS IN PHILIPPINES
    By: Orquidia. Valenzuela,  as reported by Myrla Danao

    Businessman Jaap van Dijke, chairman and two board members, Myrla Danao and Dr. John Deen of Con Amor foundation in...
    MoreArt Creations
    Vicente Collado Jr.

    Welcome!

    Many believe formal training is a prerequisite to quality in painting. Not a few will agree with me one can...
    MoreTHE CHILDREN IN DON MANUEL GK VILLAGE
    Orquidia Valenzuela Flores

    Sixty-three children from age three to six years, in the very poor community of Don Manuel village in Barangay...
     
    Disclaimer

    Contents posted in this site, muntingnayon.com, are the sole responsibility of the writers and do not reflect the editorial position of or the writers' affiliation with this website, the website owner, the webmaster and Munting Nayon News Magazine.

    This site, muntingnayon.com, the website owner, the webmaster and Munting Nayon News Magazine do not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential or punitive damages arising for any reason whatsoever from this website or from any web link used in this site.