Vlad Bunoan

Article (news)

Ballet Manila

Leah C. Salterio

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1748575848247Ballet Manila_photo3.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>San Francisco Ballet soloist Katherine Barkman and principal dancer Esteban Hernandez. Photo courtesy of Tony AbelloMANILA -- “Intricate” is how prima ballerina Lisa Macuja Elizalde described mounting the full-length “Swan Lake,” where she earlier played the roles of Odette and Odile.</div>“It is a very Russian ballet, so the dancing needs to be technically strong and artistically sound,” said Macuja-Elizalde, who is also Ballet Manila’s chief executive officer and artistic director.“But our dance company practices the unique Vaganova training, so the overall strength of the legs and backs of the dancers are developed by the technique, allowing the dancers to hold poses well, jump high and turn fast.“This is ingrained and practiced with the dancers in daily class and translates into everyone, especially the swan corps de ballet, moving as one onstage.” “Swan Lake” marks the homecoming to Ballet Manila of Katherine Barkman, San Francisco Ballet’s first soloist.Time and experience shape dancers into artists and for Barkman, “Swan Lake” is both a tribute to her roots and a testament to her growth.Returning to the stage where her professional journey began, she takes on the challenging dual role of Odette and Odile in &quot;Swan Lake,&quot; alongside one of the ballet world’s most celebrated names, Esteban Hernández, principal dancer of San Francisco Ballet.<div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1748575870669Ballet Manila_photo2.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:504px"/>San Francisco Ballet soloist Katherine Barkman and principal dancer Esteban Hernandez. Photo courtesy of Kristen Laing</div> More than just a guest artist, Hernández is a phenomenon. A trailblazer from Guadalajara, Mexico, Esteban trained at The Royal Ballet School and rose to global acclaim for his technical brilliance and expressive storytelling.As a principal dancer of the San Francisco Ballet, Hernandez has captivated audiences worldwide. Filipino audiences first witnessed his charm and virtuosity as Basilio in Don Quixote 2023. Now, he returns in a role of royal gravitas as Prince Siegfried in “Swan Lake.”“Esteban is the complete package,” says Macuja-Elizalde. “Last year, his performance as Basilio was simply perfect. But Siegfried is a very different character -- elegant, noble, restrained.“He has been a principal dancer for quite some time now, so his depth of experience, technique and artistry will work all very well for him as Prince Siegfried.”She added: “Esteban and Katherine have already danced ‘Swan Lake’ together, so I think that they will, as a principal couple, be very effective in their roles.”For Barkman, her return is deeply personal. Once a principal dancer of Ballet Manila, she trained under Macuja-Elizalde for over three years before joining The Washington Ballet and later the San Francisco Ballet.Today, taking on “Swan Lake’s” duality with deeper insight, Barkman said: “With experience comes more fearlessness. I take more risks. I would rather my dancing be exciting to watch than safe and predictable.”Now back to where her professional ballet career began, Barkman reflected on her growth as she embodies the dual role of Odette (White Swan) and Odile (Black Swan).“I feel like my approach to the characters has shifted the most,” recounted Blackman. “With experience comes more of a fearlessness. I take more risks. I don’t worry so much if it’s perfect or not. I would rather my dancing be exciting to watch than safe and predictable.”While Barkman has already previously worked with Hernandez, sharing the same stage together once again, this time for Ballet Manila, is a special moment for her.“Esteban is an amazing partner and someone I just love working with,” Barkman shared. “It’s rare to dance with someone who challenges and encourages you in such an honest way.“I was happy Ballet Manila got to experience his &#x27;Don Quixote,&#x27; but I’m just so excited I can be here this time and share ‘Swan Lake’ together.”With her strong foundation from Ballet Manila, Barkman approaches the demanding dual role with deep awareness, relying on her technique to convey the proper emotions for each character.“If there’s one thing I truly believe, it is that technique is to be used to express emotion,” said Barkman. “Every step should say something.”On Ballet Manila’s Pearl Year, Macuja-Elizalde made sure to pull all the stops to cast two pairs of powerful main leads.<div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1748575911291Ballet Manila_photo1.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>First row (from left) Ballet Manila company soloist Noah Esplana; principal dancers Jessica Pearl Dames, Mark Sumaylo and Abigail Lynn Oliveiro; CEO and artistic director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde; principal dancers Shaira May Comeros and Joshua Enciso; and soloist John Ralph Balagot</div>Aside from Barkman and Hernandez, audiences will see another take on the main characters with Ballet Manila’s principal dancer Abigail Oliveiro portraying Odette and Odile and San Francisco Ballet’s company artist Nathaniel Remez playing Prince Seigfried.She also looks forward to the chemistry of Oliveiro and Remez. “What I am also excited about is Nathaniel’s impending partnership with Abi,” said Macuja-Elizalde.“She will learn and grow so much in her interpretation of ‘Swan Lake’ when she explores the choreography with a new partner like Nathaniel who, height wise, is perfect for her.”<div>Catch the performances of Barkman and Hernandez on May 30 at 8 p.m., May 31 at 5 p.m. and June 1 at 5 p.m., and matinee performances with Oliveiro and Remez on May 31 and June 1 at 1 p.m. All performances will be staged at Aliw Theater, Pasay City. </div>

Returning to the stage where her professional journey began, San Francisco Ballet soloist Katherine Barkman takes on the challenging dual role of Odette and Odile in 'Swan Lake.'

Returning to the stage where her professional journey began, San Francisco Ballet soloist Katherine Barkman takes on the challenging dual role of Odette and Odile in 'Swan Lake.'

Katherine Barkman returns to Ballet Manila for 'Swan Lake'

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Lifestyle

Katherine Barkman returns to Ballet Manila for 'Swan Lake'

Leah C. Salterio

Published May 30, 2025 12:22 PM PHT

Read More:

Swan Lake

Pearl Year

ballet

ABSnews

Ballet Manila

Lisa Macuja

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.