In the most exquisite ways, the Colorado Ballet has out performed themselves in each production, every season. With the season finale, Ballet MasterWorks, they continue to on this path. Forget what you thought you knew the ballet was all about because the Colorado Ballet shattered that mold years ago. The level of artistry and athleticism that each dancer brings to each performance surpasses what one would think the human body is capable of!

Artists of Colorado Ballet in Serenade Photo by Mike Watson

The Ballet MasterWorks program opens with “George Balanchine’s beloved Serende, set to Tchaikovsky’s Serende for the Strings.” The audience is swept away by the simplicity of the set which allows you to focus on the composition, which is the dancers. The sweeping movements are graceful, delicate and heartfelt to the longing that is the music. Joyful and passionate certainly a perfect start to end the season. “When you dance Balanchine’s choreography it feels amazing because it’s made for exactly how dancers want to feel on stage,” states Colorado Ballet Artistic Director Gil Boggs. “Serenade was the first ballet Balanchine choreographed when he came to America in the 1930s. Audiences love it because it is simply an inspiringly beautiful ballet.” Serenade, Choreography by George Balanchine, ©The George Balanchine Trust.

Dana Benton and Francisco Estevez in Serenade Photo by Mike Watson

The night concludes with “the acclaimed production of Fernand Nault’s Carmina Burana, set to Carl Orff’s evocative and powerful score, performed by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra and the Evans Choir.” The stage is set with what looks to be rustic wood pillars and a large wheel. The chorus on stage adds to the powerful scene as the orchestra begins to play and the dancers enter dressed in red monastery monk-like robes. The wheel continues to turn as the dancers flog themselves with an invisible robe. The audience is captivated by the music, the chorus and the story that is playing out before them with each movement of the dancers. At the end of the production some patrons, including myself wiped away tears, truly mesmerizing and beautiful. The story of how Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana came to life is fascinating and certainly learning about.

Artists of Colorado Ballet in Carmina Burana Photo by Mike Watson

Gil Boggs, “chose to launch this production of Carmina Burana to showcase the artistry of the company’s dancers.” “Fernand Nault’s Carmina Burana is an extremely well-conceived ballet, and beautifully portrays the emotion and joy needed for this the piece. It’s not overly done,” states Boggs. “I really like Nault’s Carmina and have always wanted to do it. The way he incorporates the choreography to match the music highlights the experience of hearing it.” The chorus performs Carmina Burana on stage alongside the dancers.

As stated on the press release, “acclaimed Canadian dancer and choreographer Fernand Nault created Carmina Burana in 1964, and re-launched it in 1966 with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens. It received great acclaim and international fame following its appearance at Expo 67 in Montreal—the great World’s Fair of the 20th century. *

“This performance of Carmina Burana will mark the first time it has been performed in the Western United States since Colorado Ballet performed it in 1978. Fernand Nault’s connection to Colorado Ballet in the 1960s and 70s came as a result of his friendship with the company’s founders Freidann Parker and Lillian Covillo. For a number of years, Nault served as artistic advisor of Colorado Ballet, and in 1980 became its first artistic director. *

Sean Omandam in Carmina Burana Photo by Mike Watson

“A long-time dancer with American Ballet Theatre, Fernand Nault’s choreography style was influenced by ballet greats such as George Balanchine and Antony Tudor, as well as the paintings of Italian artist Sandro Botticelli and the theatre. His Carmina Burana incorporates highly stylized movements, which the dancers showcase with respect and elegance. *

“Fonds Chorégraphique Fernand Nault’s trustee, Andre Laprise, traveled to Denver from Ottawa, Canada to stage the work on Colorado Ballet’s dancers for next month’s performances. He describes Nault’s work as “reinventing the ballet form but not the movements—it’s like a painting coming to life,” explained Laprise. “Fernand Nault’s Carmina Burana is a classic of our time, and I am so excited to see this historic moment when Colorado Ballet will share this amazing piece of art with audiences here in Denver, Colorado.” *

Colorado Ballet celebrates the season with a record breaking number of ticket sales and support from the community. “I couldn’t think of a better way to close-out this year’s amazing season than with our Ballet Masterworks production,” stated Gil Boggs. “All of our dancers have worked so hard this year, and this program gives them the opportunity to showcase their craft with some of the greatest 20th century dance repertorie. We are honored to share this celebratory season finale with all of our patrons and Colorado audiences. This has been a season for the history books and we can’t thank our patrons enough for helping to make it possible.”

There are limited performances for the Ballet MasterWorks and it is certainly is a performance you won’t want to miss. Tickets are affordable and it will be a magical evening that you won’t soon forget.

PERFORMANCE DATES AND TIMES

Saturday, April 6, 2019 at 2 p.m.
Saturday, April 6, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 7, 2019 at 2 p.m.

Friday, April 12, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 13, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 14, 2019 at 2 p.m.

Tickets range from $30 to $155. Visit COLORADOBALLET.ORG or call Patron Services at 303-837-8888 ext. 2 to purchase tickets. To continue to reduce the number of ticket resellers, please purchase directly through Colorado Ballet via the website or phone number listed above. Tickets purchased through resellers may not be valid.

This production of Ballet MasterWorks is presented by the Denver Ballet Guild. Colorado Ballet receives support from the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD). Supporting sponsors include Anadarko, Colorado Ballet Auxiliary and Pura Vida.

 

  • Please note that quotes and additional information was gathered directly from the press release