Download Balanchine Masterworks 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 28, 2016
CONTACT: Jo Anne Emery, Phone: (619) 846-8774
[email protected]
Electronic photos available
CITY BALLET of San Diego presents
“Balanchine Masterworks 2016”
at Spreckels Theatre, March 4-6, 2016
with The City Ballet Orchestra
Program: Concerto Barocco, Emeralds from Jewels and Square Dance
SAN DIEGO — City Ballet of San Diego, under the direction of Steven and Elizabeth Wistrich, continues its role as
the major presenter in Southern California of works by one of the greatest choreographers in dance history, the
legendary George Balanchine, with “Balanchine Masterworks 2016” March 4-6, 2016 at Spreckels Theatre.
These historic ballets by George Balanchine will be performed to live music performed by The City Ballet Orchestra with
John Nettles conducting: “Concerto Barocco” (choreographed in 1941) with music by Johann Sebastian Bach,
“Emeralds” from “Jewels” (choreographed in 1967) with music by Gabriel Faure, and “Square Dance” (choreographed
in 1957) with music by Antonio Vivaldi and Arcangelo Corelli.
The critically acclaimed City Ballet of San Diego, under the direction of Steven and Elizabeth Wistrich, both
former Boston Ballet and Stuttgart Ballet dancers, is known for its commitment to presenting ballets by the
legendary George Balanchine. As a company, City Ballet has a strong connection with George Balanchine. Artistic
(more)
Director Steven Wistrich was coached by “Mr. B” in the 1970s, and the company is one of a few around the country given
permission by The George Balanchine Trust to present the master’s works. Former New York City Ballet dancers Elyse
Borne and Nilas Martins (son of New York City Ballet Artistic Director Peter Martins) came to San Diego to stage these
ballets for the City Ballet company members to ensure the works are performed the way Mr. B choreographed them.
“It is such an honor that the prestigious George Balanchine Trust in New York continues to grant City Ballet
permission to perform these wonderful ballets by this great artist. By presenting Balanchine ballets, the legacy
of Mr. B continues here in San Diego,” states Artistic Director Steven Wistrich.
THE PROGRAM
Approximate Run Time: 2 hours, with two 15-minute intermissions
Concerto Barocco
Music: Johann Sebastian Bach, Choreography: George Balanchine, Staging by Nilas Martins
First presented by the American Ballet, May 1940, at the Theatre of Hunter College, New York
Last performed by City Ballet of San Diego in 2005.
“Concerto Barocco” was choreographed in 1940 and has no “subject matter” beyond the score – Bach’s
Concerto in D minor for Two Violins. Balanchine was inspired by the music to interest the audience only by the
dancing and his treatment of the music with movement.
Emeralds from Jewels
Music: Gabriel Faure, Choreographer: George Balanchine, Staging by Elyse Borne
Costumes: Karinska, courtesy of Pittsburg Ballet Theatre
First presented by New York City Ballet, April 1967 at the New York State Theatre.
Last performed by City Ballet of San Diego in 2012.
“Emeralds” is one section from the unique ballet titled “Jewels”: a full-length, three-act plotless ballet that uses
the music of three very different composers. Balanchine was inspired by the artistry of jewelry designer Claude
Arpels, and chose music revealing the essence of each jewel. He explained: “I have always liked jewels. I like
the color of gems, the beauty of stones, and it was wonderful to see how our costume workshop, under
Karinska’s direction, came so close to the quality of real stones (which were of course too heavy for the dancers
to wear!).” Each section of the ballet is distinct in both music and mood. “Emeralds” was considered an
evocation of France – the France of elegance, comfort, dress, perfume.
Square Dance
Music: Antonio Vivaldi and Arcangelo Corelli, Choreography: George Balanchine, Staging by Elyse Borne
First presented by New York City Ballet, May 1957 at the City Center, New York
City Ballet of San Diego premiere
“Square Dance” was choreographed in 1957 and showed George Balanchine’s love for America by joining the
traditions of American folk dance with classical ballet. He stated, “The American style of classical dancing with
its superb preparation for risks, and its high spirits were some of the things I was trying to show in this ballet.”
Programming, musical selections, and artists are subject to change without notice.
(more)
PERFORMANCES
Friday, March 4 at 8:00pm
Saturday, March 6 at 8:00pm
Sunday, March 7 at 2:00pm
VENUE
Spreckels Theatre
121 Broadway, Downtown San Diego
TICKETS
Tickets are $29-$79. Students, Seniors and Military can purchase discounted tickets of $5 off regular price.
PRE-CONCERT LECTURES
Prior to each performance is a free pre-concert lecture for ticket holders with Artistic Director Steven
Wistrich.
Tickets and information:
(858) 272-8663
www.cityballet.org
ABOUT CITY BALLET
Heralded as “a top-tier dance company” and “an oasis of classical dance in a city otherwise too often a desert”,
City Ballet is San Diego’s world-class professional ballet company, now celebrating its 23rd season under the
direction of former Boston Ballet and Stuttgart Ballet dancers, Steven and Elizabeth Wistrich. City Ballet is a
non-profit organization committed to furthering the ballet art form. The company produces classic and
contemporary ballet programs that critics rave as “polished, eye-catching and delightful,” and “highly
entertaining and professional”. International dance critic Sheila Orysiek wrote, “San Diego finally has a
classical ballet company that is worthy of the name”. The company is best known for performing works by
George Balanchine, founding artistic director of New York City Ballet. City Ballet is one of a few ballet
companies to receive permission from The George Balanchine Trust in New York City to perform his ballets.
The George Balanchine Trust grants such permission only to those ballet companies it judges artistically
competent to perform Balanchine’s masterworks.
Unsurpassed training programs for children and pre-professionals are offered at City Ballet School, the official
school of the City Ballet Company, whose alumnae dance with companies including American Ballet Theatre,
Pittsburgh Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Texas Ballet Theater and The Joffrey Ballet. City Ballet’s
innovative education programs range from arts outreach to inner-city children, to bringing the world’s best
ballet instructors to San Diego. City Ballet is partially funded by the City of San Diego Commission for Arts
and Culture, the California Arts Council, the County of San Diego, Mandell Weiss Charitable Trust,
Qualcomm, US Bank, Procopio Cory Hargreaves and Savitch and generous donors.
####