The season-opening Three Masters, One Stage featured Maria Ressa in Peter and the Wolf and a mission to bring the arts to underserved communities.
Lifestyle Asia reports that, for the first time in Philippine performing arts history, three of the country’s premier cultural institutions—Ballet Philippines, Repertory Philippines, and the Manila Symphony Orchestra—shared the stage in a landmark collaboration. Together, their combined artistic legacies span an impressive 213 years.
Held on August 1 at The Theatre at Solaire, the Gala Performance marked the opening of Ballet Philippines’ 56th Season. The evening featured Peter and the Wolf, headlined by 2021 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Maria Ressa as guest narrator. Prokofiev’s symphonic tale came to life through MSO’s live orchestral performance and theatrical storytelling.
But the celebration went beyond artistry. In line with Ballet Philippines’ advocacy for cultural accessibility, more than 1,000 free seats were reserved for underserved barangays, military personnel, indigenous communities, and other partner groups. The Manila Symphony Orchestra also welcomed music and non-music students—many experiencing live symphonic music for the first time.
The double bill continued with Ballet Philippines’ Little Red Riding Hood, a classical yet emotionally resonant adaptation of the beloved fable, performed with expressive choreography and rich orchestration.
Branded Three Masters, One Stage, the event not only united three artistic disciplines—ballet, theater, and music—but also showcased the transformative power of collaboration. It was an evening that entertained, educated, and brought together a diverse audience, proving that the arts can bridge communities and generations.
Read the full story in Lifestyle Asia here.