Cover Everything you need to know about Ballet Manila’s ‘Florante at Laura’ (Photo: Ballet Manila)
Everything you need to know about Ballet Manila’s ‘Florante at Laura’ (Photo: Ballet Manila)
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With a powerhouse team of choreographers, composers, and designers, Ballet Manila’s adaptation of ‘Florante at Laura’ is set to captivate audiences with its grand visuals and sweeping compositions
Ballet Manila’s artistic director, Lisa Macuja Elizalde—who recently turned 60—couldn’t contain her excitement when asked about the upcoming world premiere of Florante at Laura. After all, this coming production is due to the brilliance of a powerhouse team. “Something magical really happens when artists come together,” says Macuja Elizalde.
Florante at Laura, which comes at the heels of the ballet company’s highly successful epic Ibong Adarna, will be staged at the Aliw Theater, Pasay City, on October 12, 13 and 19. With National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab on the score, Michael Coroza on the libretto, Geri Francisco and Martin Lawrance on the choreography, Mio Infante for set design, and Therese Arroyo for costume design, the production is set to transport audiences away from reality. Indeed, the fusion of these talents promises a visual and auditory experience that is sure to leave a lasting impression.
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As we count the days, here are a few things you need to know to fully appreciate the much-anticipated world premiere of the required text we’ve come to love during high school.
Original music by a national treasure
At the heart of Florante at Laura is an original score by Cayabyab. Known for his wide-ranging musical genius, Cayabyab sees this ballet as a challenge and a dream come true. “It’s a heritage work—very important,” he says. He aims to craft a score that complements the ballet and stands on its own as a fully orchestrated masterpiece.
Having devoted months to composing, Cayabyab dove deep into research, even studying old Persian music to infuse subtle, authentic elements into the ballet. His work is not just a backdrop but a vital part of the storytelling, reflecting the epic scale of the work.
The audience will be treated to a live performance by the Orchestra of the Filipino Youth under the baton of his son Toma Cayabyab, adding to the immersive experience. “I want to watch, not conduct,” Cayabyab says excitedly, eager to see his music come to life on stage.
A collaboration of masters in dance and choreography
Having worked together since 2013—when Lawrance was the choreographer and Francisco was a dancer—their professional relationship has evolved into a true partnership, with Florante at Laura marking their first official choreographic collaboration.
The two choreographers took a strategic approach in dividing the work, with Francisco handling Act One and Lawrance focusing on Act Two. Their process involved countless discussions, ensuring every detail was meticulously planned, and each step supported the story. “We did a lot of research, even watching the 1950s film adaptation of Florante at Laura,” says Lawrence.
Despite the challenge of working together for the first time as co-choreographers, Francisco notes that it wasn’t difficult because they already knew each other’s styles. “We feed off each other’s energy,” he says. For Lawrence, the admiration runs deep: “He’s 100 per cent committed to everything he does, and that’s what I admire about him.”
Set designs that bring literature to life
Creating the world of Florante at Laura required a set design that could transport audiences through a wide range of settings—from battlefields to palaces, forests, and caves. Set designer Infante shared how he approached this monumental task, balancing the story’s epic scale with the need for simplicity. “We can’t show 15 battles in a ballet—it would become too tedious,” he explains. Instead, Infante and his team focused on creating a versatile space to accommodate the many locations featured in the narrative.
Drawing inspiration from historical research and the choreography itself, Infante crafted a monochromatic set that would seamlessly transform from one scene to the next. He carefully considered the movement of the dancers, ensuring that the set would complement, rather than hinder, their choreography. “When we put in the set, it felt like giving the choreographers a playground,” he recalled, noting how the dancers immediately began to explore the space, sliding and interacting with it in dynamic ways.
The minimalist yet grand design reflects the essence of the epic while maintaining the flexibility needed to adapt to various settings within the story. “Less is more,” Infante emphasises.
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Costumes that capture the spirit of the characters
Costume designer Arroyo aimed to capture the essence of the characters while making them relatable to modern audiences. “We wanted to respect the period in which the story is set, but at the same time, we wanted the costumes to resonate with today’s viewers,” she explains.
Drawing inspiration from the narrative and the creative vision of the entire production team, the costumes are not what you would expect from a typical period piece. Instead, Arroyo and her team infused the designs with subtle modern touches, allowing the garments to enhance the dancers’ performances. “These costumes aren’t something you’ve seen before,” she says.
A literary masterpiece told through ballet
At the heart of the production is the timeless story of Florante at Laura, written by Francisco Balagtas in 1838. It follows Florante, a duke who was held captive and enslaved by the Turks. But with the help of Aladin, he managed to escape from his captors to return to his country, Albania, to face off against the usurper Count Adolfo, seek redemption, and reunite with his beloved Laura.
The production team worked closely together to trim down the libretto and maintain the essence of the epic while ensuring that it remained engaging for a modern audience. Through their collaboration, the ballet preserves the spirit of Balagtas’ work, allowing its universal themes to shine while also embracing the beauty of movement and visual storytelling.
With every pirouette and grand jeté, the story of Florante at Laura transcends words and texts, bringing Balagtas’ literary masterpiece to a new generation of viewers.
All performances will be staged at Aliw Theater, Pasay City. For tickets, visit ticketworld.com.ph. To learn more about Ballet Manila and its shows, visit balletmanila.com.ph.
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Angela Nicole Regis Guiral is a digital editor at Tatler Philippines. She studied journalism and has since written features that look closely at how culture, lifestyle and social impact converge, while occasionally wandering into the worlds of style and travel.
