Excerpts from Ballet Philippines’ Opera

Excerpts from Ballet Philippines’ Opera

Last January 27, we were very fortunate to catch the press conference of Ballet Philippines‘ much-awaited opus- Opera.

GABRIEL BARREDO’S OPERA, CHOREOGRAPHED BY REDHA

Ballet Philippines’ Opera is based on the Gabriel Barredo’s installation of the same name. In it, Barredo takes the idea the Victorian operating theater and imbues it with imagery that veers from the fantastic to the horrific to the sublime. Sculptures of bodies opened and splayed; wirework in the vague, unfinished shape of a human being; and eyes in various shapes and detail–these are but some of the works that populate Barredo’s fever dream.

In February 2016, Ballet Philippines concludes its 46th season with a new ballet choreographed by French dance maker Redha based on the acclaimed installation, Opera by Filipino artist Gabriel Barredo. This rare dance and contemporary art collaboration will have its premiere as a special event in conjunction with Art Fair Philippines 2016.

(READ: Dance and Contemporary Art Collide in Ballet Philippines’ Opera)

Featuring BP’s inimitable dancers with the special participation of Carissa Adea, Opera’s libretto is by Yvette Tan and Erwin Romulo with original music by Malek Lopez and videos by Pabrika. Former BP dancer Ronelson Yadao contributes as dance master and associate choreographer. Opera serves as Ballet Philippines’ fundraising event for the season.

This production is co-presented by Silverlens, in cooperation with the French Embassy.

(WATCH: Silverlens Portraits: Gabriel Barredo)

SYNOPSIS

Even as the twins are born, Death watches. The twins and their mother, make a family in a world of creations and temptations. Most of the creations are broken and imperfect, save for one, the homunculus.

The family’s idyllic existence is interrupted when The Watcher enters their lives. The Watcher tries to seduce them with his many eyes, all of them graceful and alluring. One of the twins succumbs to The Watcher’s charms. Left behind, the other seeks solace in the homunculus, while their mother has begun her dance with Death, who is ever-present but who no one can see.

The Watcher’s ambition proves to be his undoing. He desires to control everyone—the twins, their mother, the creations. Seeing him for who he really is, the family fights to stay together. In the end, the twins realize that blood is important, and that sometimes, love does conquer all.

“Opera” will be staged at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater) on February 13 & 14 at 1:00PM and 6:00PM, with a Fundraising Gala on February 16 at 8:00PM. For inquiries, visit www.ballet.ph, send an email to info@ballet.ph, or call Ballet Philippines at 551-1003. For tickets and reservations, call the CCP Box Office at 832-3704 or Ticketworld at 891-9999.

You can watch the video below!

Click here for a summarized version of the show.
For more details about what’s happening in the Manila theater scene, please view our Theater Calendar.