Our 2011-2012 Season opens in October with the return of Harlequinade. The ballet is being brought back by the demands of the audiences that loved our premiere in May 2010.  This historic ballet was first choreographed in 1900 by Marius Petipa , with music by Riccardo Drigo, in St. Petersburg, Russia.  The production by Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida offers a fresh and exciting tone, while at the same time, it remains true to the original storyline and to the classical style in which it was first choreographed. 
On the same program we are presenting new works of a guest choreographer and a new piece by Arts Ballet’s Artistic Director, Mr. Issaev as a celebration the work of the artist, Gustav Klimt, on his 150th anniversary.

Originally made into a ballet in 1900, by Marius Petipa, with music by Riccardo Drigo, Harlequinade follows Harlequin, and his lover, Columbina, as they outwit Columbina’s father, Cassander.  Cassander wishes Columbine to marry a rich suitor, so he keeps her locked up inside the house, away from Harlequin.  He entrusts the key to his servant, Pierrot, Columbina’s friend, Pierretta, comes to the house and steals the key away from Pierrot.  She unlocks the house and lets Harlequin in, allowing the two lovers to reunite and more dancing to ensue. 

Harlequinade has long been a “forgotten” ballet, with only a few restorations within the past hundred years, most notably Balanchine’s version in 1965.  However, Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida’s production of the ballet represents the original storyline, and upholds the classical style in which it was first choreographed, while still maintaining a fresh and exciting atmosphere.  The rich, sumptuous music awed the audiences in the Russian Imperial Court at the premier of the ballet, and Drigo’s music continues to be loved and well-received by audiences all over the world.