Lisa, a rare debutante at 50!

Against black curtains ominously predicting tragedy, “A Truly Classical Concert” had prima ballerina Lisa Macuja as Juliet entering in neat, nimble, delicate steps to Tchaikovsky’s music and Sergey Vikulov’s choreography as restaged by Osias Barroso Jr. The scene was then charged with an electrifying duel between a Montague and a Capulet.  Partnered by Rudy de Dos as Romeo, Lisa enthralled, her sweep and intensity expressing her love for him. Later, a priest blesses their lifeless bodies, and an exquisitely ethereal pas de deux ensues in their celestial abode.

In the “truly classical concert,” the Madrigal Singers under Marc Anthony Carpio, rendered contemporary, non-classical songs, their rigid discipline,  widest range of dynamics, and remarkable versatility drawing lusty applause.

Amidst an awesomely resplendent set design for Petipa’s “Sleeping Beauty” as restaged by Natalia Raldugina and Barroso, Lisa strikingly portrayed Princess Aurora whose 16th birthday was being elaborately celebrated. Regal and dainty in manner, she flitted in swift bourees, her multiple turns masterfully controlled, her arabesques ending in nearly vertical lines.  As Prince Desire, Kremlin Ballet’s principal dancer Mikhail Martynyuk displayed flawless virtuosity, his bravura feats conveying characterization.  For instance, the love between him and Princess Aurora might have been measured by the height he carried her on his shoulders, with Lisa, aloft, over-arching her pliant torso. The pair physically and dramatically complemented each other, yet incredibly enough, Lisa is nearly twice Mikhail’s age!  Their fish dive left the audience ecstatic.

 In the ravishing ballet blanc, ballerinas were fascinatingly lithe and graceful: the danseurs, virile and vibrant. Synchronized formation of lines and arcs riveted and magnetized. The engaging soloists were Dawn Mangahas, Lilac Fairy, and Tiffany Cheng, Diamond- Fairy. Entertaining in varying degrees more the dancing-miming Missy Elizalde and Jamil Montibon in White Cat; Nicole Barrosa, who showed exceptional promise, and  John de Dios in Little Red Riding Hood.

The Jewels — Joan Emery Sia, Jessa Balote and Risa May Camaclang— were truly jewels; Mylene A. Salgado and Elpidio Magat showed more than competence in The Blue Bird pas de deux.  The ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra under Maestro Gerard Salonga was excellent.

At concert’s end, sparklers brilliantly illuminated the stage as dancers and admirers in a standing ovation wished Lisa a happy birthday, as she took her final bow in a gold shimmery gown that was almost blinding. She shone like the sun!  For a stunning, sensational performance of a debutante at 50, Lisa has indeed broken all records in the country’s balletic history.