A
group of artists, producers and interested parties have organized
The Metropolitan Ballet. This organization has been established
to celebrate and unite the music and dance communities in
the exploration of the fine art of dance. The artists that
have affiliated themselves with this organization come from
the finest dance companies and institutions in the region
and in the spirit of unity and collaboration have combined
their artistry as an ensemble to create these events.
Last
year nearly fifty dancers assembled to form a cast for the
classic ballet Romeo and Juliet set to Prokofiev’s Opus
64 performed live by GTCYS’ Symphony Orchestra. The
event sold out the O’ Shaughnessy of nearly 2000 seats.
This Memorial Day weekend, May 27 - 29, 2005, the Metropolitan
Ballet will present a Classic Gala at the Historic Pantages
Theater that celebrates some of the most legendary works in
the classic repertoire of ballet. Tokyo, New York, Berlin,
Paris and other cosmopolitan cities host these galas and have
established a tradition of celebrating the great works that
have inspired generations in the fine art of dance.
These
legendary works are set to music of some of the greatest composers
of all time. Many of these are excerpts from the “grand
ballets” like Swan Lake, Romeo & Juliet, Carmen
and Giselle. The Afternoon of a Faun and Spectra de la Rose
are individual works of the highest level that have remained
in the repertoire of most major ballet companies for nearly
a century. The Dying Swan by Fokine, set to Saint Seans’
“La Cygne”(The Swan) ~ The Carnival of the Animals,
is regarded as the most legendary solo in the classical ballet
repertoire and is considered an honor to perform as so few
ballerinas become qualified to perform this piece.
Afternoon of a Faun ~ Nijinsky/ Debussy
La Sylphide Pas de Deux ~ Bournonville/H. Lovenskjold
Giselle Pas de Deux Act ll ~ Petipe/Adolph Adam
Swan Lake Act lll Pas de Deux ~ Petipe/ Tchaikovsky
Le Spectre de la Rose ~ Fokine/Carl-Maria von Weber
Romeo & Juliet ~ Balcony Pas de Deux ~ Prokofiev
Aria ~ Hart / Antonio Vivaldi
Carmen Pas de Deux ~ Alonso/Bizet
Le Corsaire Pas de Deux ~ Mazilier /Adolph Adam
The Dying Swan ~ Fokine/Saint Seans
In celebration of all artwork having once been new, this production
will showcase one new work titled Aria set to Vivaldi‘s
Aria Sposa Son Disprezzata. Choreographed by Minnesota's Jennifer
Hart, an aspiring new face in choreography in the Twin Cites
who‘s work is being produced by The Southern Theater
and in New York City. Pianist Judy Lin of The Bakken Trio
and cellist Thomas Rosenberg of The Artaria String Quartet
bring a rich texture of live music including "Le Cygne"
for The Dying Swan. Ms. Lin and Mr. Rosenberg are also McKnight
Award recipients.
To
make a production on this scale possible an ensemble has been
created with the communities’ most accomplished professional
dancers. These artists are from a variety of dance organizations
with international and/or national experience and recognition.
This collaboration of talent exploring these fine works of
art brings to the community an educational and artistic opportunity
that is designed to enrich, educate and inspire.
One Weekend Only ~ May 27-29, 2005
Friday & Saturday 8 pm, Sunday Matinee at 3 pm
Adults: $42.50, $32.50 and $22.50
The
Historic PANTAGES Theater, 710 Hennepin Avenue ~ Minneapolis,
MN