Philippine Ballet Theater stages Esmeralda

"Esmeralda (The Hunchback of Notre Dame)"
Philippine Ballet Theater
November 25, 3pm, 8pm
Meralco Theater, Pasig City

To cap its 20th anniversary celebration, the Philippine Ballet Theater stages "Esmeralda (The Hunchback of Notre Dame)" on November 25, with 3pm and 8pm performance at the Meralco Theater, Pasig City.

"Esmeralda" is a tale of love, compassion, jealously and physical beauty. The story follows Quasimodo’s’ search for a fuller life beyond the confines of his home, the Notre Dame Cathedral, and his own disfigurement.

Along the way he experiences love for the first time, is deceived by Claude Frollo, the priest of Notre Dame, and befriended by the kindness of the gypsy beauty, Esmeralda.

The retelling of this classic story, "Esmeralda" (The Hunchback of Notre Dame) is breathtakingly adapted to the stage by the Philippine Ballet Theater using the great Cesare Pugni’s original score created for the Russian court in 1849.

Playing Esmeralda in this Philippine Ballet Theater production are Faye Abigail Tan and Jay Anne Marie Tensuan.

Jared Jehowil Tan and Joel Matias alternate as Capt. Phoebus; while Ronilo Jaynario and Peter Lloyd San Juan play the role of Quasimodo.

Anatoly Panasyukov, Philippine Ballet Theater's resident ballet master, and Gener Caringal, Philippine Ballet Theater's artistic director, work together to restage "Esmeralda" with choreography by Vladimir Burmeister and music by Cesare Pugni.

* * *

Founded in 1987, Philippine Ballet Theatre (PBT) has established itself as the pre-eminent classical ballet company in the Philippines today. Philippine Ballet Theater was borne out of an alliance of leading dance groups in the eighties but immediately won recognition as a resident ballet company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Philippine Ballet Theatre has now expanded its vision and pursues the goal of bringing the upscale art of dance to general appreciation among Filipino audiences.

With its concurrent preservation of the rich and elegant classical story ballets, such as Swan Lake, Giselle, Nutcracker, and Raymonda, Philippine Ballet Theater also launches contemporary ballets that are of emotional depth, dramatic realism and stark inventiveness like the critically acclaimed Carmina Burana and Daughters of Mourning (Bernarda Alba). Its repertoire continues to dazzle and amaze various audiences with its distinct and poetic delicacy and refined sophistication.

Philippine Ballet Theater has traveled in national and international tours presenting the best of its Filipino and Western repertoire; highlighting the company's commitment to artistic excellence in the classical, neo-classical and pop-classical traditions.

For information, contact Philippine Ballet Theater at 6328848. Data taken from http://www.culturalcenter.gov.ph/res-PBT.htm