BALLET Manila presents the company’s most ‘iconic’ performances for this season. Ballet Manila opens its 23rd performance season, “Tour de Force,” with a presentation of the company’s most iconic performances.

In a two-weekend affair, Iconic 1.0 and Iconic 2.0 will revisit some of Ballet Manila’s most memorable collaborations, selected from a repertoire of over 200 ballets performed since 1995.

Iconic 1.0 draws mostly from the strength of Ballet Manila’s global network, with highlights such as Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s Bloom. The Colombian-Belgian choreographer’s work is sought after in operas, musicals, and even in fashion. This piece is her first work ever for an Asian dance company. There’s also Sotto Voce by Augustus “Bam” Damian III, one of the most prolific Filipinos in European ballet. And as nod to Ballet Manila’s Vaganova roots, it is restaging a version of Romeo and Juliet by Russian legend Sergei Vikulov.

IN a two-weekend affair, Iconic 1.0 and Iconic 2.0 will revisit some of Ballet Manila’s most memorable collaborations. Meanwhile, Iconic 2.0 digs deep into the wealth of Ballet Manila’s homegrown talent, with gems such as Gerardo Francisco’s fantasy-filled Ibong Adarna, Osias Barroso’s lifelike Ecole, the late Ballet Manila co-founder Eric V. Cruz’s sensuous Carmen and Lisa Macuja-Elizalde’s timeless Fur Elise.

“We’re reliving the past in a very special way, because our company has seen many changes happening—most especially in our roster of dancers. It is such a fantastic learning experience to have some of our most loved and successful original ballets handed down to the new generation that is Ballet Manila today,” shares Ballet Manila chief executive officer and artistic director Macuja-Elizalde.

Seventeen different ballets, 14 featured choreographers and the country’s premier classical dance company — the Iconic series is Ballet Manila’s biggest gala yet that promises to be a different, daring and diverse season opener. With a single ticket valid for two shows, dance fans are in for two weekends’ of Iconic performances.

“This series is also an introduction of what Ballet Manila can do ­— and we can do it all, from the classics to contemporary pieces. We curated this series in such a way that we show as much variety and versatility as possible, so there’s a performance for everyone,” adds Macuja-Elizalde.

“Tour de Force” gets the ball rolling for Ballet Manila’s silver year on 2020 and the best is always yet to come for the company. With the perfect season opener in Iconic 1.0 and Iconic 2.0, this season promises to be a world-class and highly entertaining run that everyone in the family can enjoy.

“Tour De Force” kicks off this September with Iconic 1.0, which will be on 1 and 2 September and Iconic 2.0, which will be on 8 and 9 September. One ticket will be valid on both weekends.

For more information about the shows, including ticket prices and schedules, you may visit www.balletmanila.com.ph or follow Ballet Manila on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Tickets are also available through all TicketWorld outlets. Call 891-9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph for more information. In addition, those who are planning to watch all the shows may take advantage of the company’s Season Subscription Programs, which offer up to 50 percent discount on ticket prices. For more information, you may visit www.ticketworld.com.ph/balletmanila/Online/ and click on “View Details” under “Season Subscription Program.”