Lisa Macuja-Elizalde performs in 'La Bayadere' and 'The Nutcracker' for the last time

She may be saying goodbye but the farewell party still has one final year to go before she hangs up her dancing shoes for good.

This is prima ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde's “Swan Song Series,” also known as her three-year retirement plan, where she bids goodbye to her favorite full-length ballet classics by performing them one last time as both homage and celebration.

Pondering her retirement, Macuja-Elizalde shared: “I think that all ballerinas prepare for, and dread, their 'swan song' series. But not all ballerinas can plan and schedule their final performances in these beloved roles, so I consider myself still truly blessed.”

An Indian love story

She's already performed Swan Lake and Romeo and Juliet in 2011, and Giselle, Don Quixote, and Carmen in 2012. Now, she is dancing La Bayadere and The Nutcracker in their full versions on the final leg of the “Series 3” this November.

Set in India, “La Bayadere” is a lyrical and dramatic ballet centered around love and sacrifice. The titular “bayadere” or temple dancer, Nikiya, is committed to a lifetime of service in the temple of the High Brahmin, who desires her. She falls in love with the warrior Solor and he also falls for her, but he has been pledged to marry Gamzatti, daughter of the Maja Rajah.

In the end, however, Nikiya and Solor are bound to each other because of their vow of eternal love. The ballet is set to the music of Ludwig Minkus, with original choreography by Marius Petipa and V. Chabukiani and restaging by Osias Barroso Jr. and Eileen Lopez.

The most popular Christmas ballet ever

“The Nutcracker” is the most popular Christmas ballet of all time. The story is about a little girl named Masha whose generous spirit on Christmas Eve transports her to a magical land of dancing dolls, giant rats, a nutcracker who turns into a prince and the glamorous Sugar Plum Fairy. “The Nutcracker” uses music by Peter Tchaikovsky, with choreography by Vassily Vainonen and re-staging by Osias Barroso Jr. and Natalia Raldugina.

Presented by Ballet Manila, Manila Broadcasting Company and Aliw Theater, “Swan Song Series 3” features Macuja-Elizalde in four performances of La Bayadere on November 14 and 16, 7:30 p.m., with Mikhail Martynyuk of the Kremlin Ballet, and on November 15 and 17, 7:30 p.m. with Ballet Manila principal dancer Rudy De Dios, all at Aliw Theater, CCP Complex, Pasay City. The Manila Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of guest Russian conductor Alexander Vikulov, is featured in the shows on November 14, 15 and 16.

“The Nutcracker” gala is scheduled on November 29, 7:30 p.m., followed by shows on December 1 and 7, 3 p.m., also at Aliw Theater. The December 7 performance is a benefit for Smokey Mountain through the Philippine Christian Foundation.

For tickets to “Swan Song Series 3” contact Ticketworld at 891-9999 or ticketworld.com.ph. For inquiries or contact Ballet Manila. — Karl R. De Mesa/VC, GMA News