For the first time in the company’s history, Ballet BC presents Miami City Ballet in a program of George Balanchine’s revolutionary choreography at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Performed by Miami City Ballet, one of America’s finest Balanchine interpreters, Balanchine is a triple bill of acclaimed George Balanchine works: Serenade, Symphony in Three Movements, and Ballo della Regina.
In an evening that displays Balanchine’s inspiring marriage of ground-breaking ballet with classical music, each piece is choreographed in dynamic relation to some of the world’s most celebrated scores.
Serenade, first performed by New York City Ballet in 1935, is a milestone in the history of dance, planting the seeds for his reshaping of classical ballet into an American art form. Set to Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings in C, Serenade is revered as Balanchine’s masterpiece and even he referred to it as his “favorite child.” Symphony in Three Movements is a large ensemble work that is bold and breathtaking – a tour-de-force that is striking for its simplicity and power. Balanchine’s choreography mirrors the propulsive rhythm of Stravinsky’s titular score with angular, athletic choreography. The virtuosic and exhilarating variations in Ballo della Regina are set to Verdi’s music edited from the original score from Don Carlos. The work is a beautiful and intricate set of variations for the ballerina, her partner, and the corps de ballet that offers many unique challenges with its vibrantly fast-paced and elaborate choreography.
Each of these works expertly demonstrates how George Balanchine redefined the classical tradition in progressive ways and how Miami City Ballet has earned its reputation for being one of the finest interpreters of his work. The New York Times calls Miami City Ballet, “one of the world’s leading exponents of choreography by George Balanchine” and Ballet BC’s Artistic Director Emily Molnar says, “Ever since I became the Artistic Director of Ballet BC, one of my desires has been to bring an evening of works by George Balanchine, a pioneer of contemporary ballet. Miami City Ballet is one of the leading ballet companies interpreting his work today. We are thrilled to share this exciting program of masterworks with Vancouver audiences.”
Miami City Ballet Artistic Director, Lourdes Lopez – former principal dancer with New York City Ballet under Balanchine and Jerome Robbins – echoes Emily Molnar’s enthusiasm by adding, “We are thrilled and grateful to Ballet BC for presenting us in their programming this season, and to have an opportunity to perform at such prestigious venues outside of our home theaters. Mostly, I am looking forward to the company performing stellar ballet of remarkable artistry before our Canadian friends.”
Balanchine runs for four performances, February 19-21, 2015 at 8:00pm plus Saturday, February 21 matinee at 2:00pm at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Tickets range from $40.00 to $98.50 (including service charges) and can be purchased through Ticketmaster at 1-855-985-2787 (1-855-985-ARTS) or online at ticketmaster.ca.
