PROGRAM I - RUSSIAN BALLETS

Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida celebrates the Russian Ballets. For the 2007-2008 Season Program I will include: The Seasons, Spring Waters and Petrouchka

PETROUCHKA

By popular demand: Petrouchka returns to open the 2007-2008 season of Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida.

A choreography by Vladimir Issaev for a Ballet in One Act and four scenes; music by I. Stravinsky and book by A. Benois. A Ballet set in a Russian fair (1830). The principal characters are three puppets: The Ballerina, Petrouchka and the Moor all commanded by the Charlatan.

The program also includes Issaev’s choreographic work premiered at the Mariinsky Theater “The Seasons” with music of Verdi and the spectacular “Spring Waters” with music by Rachmaninoff and choreography by Asaf Messerer.

Spring Waters
Music: Rachmaninoff
Choreography: Assaf Meserer

One of the most demanding Adagios, a non-narrative choreography created by Assaf Meserer, that shows bravura and athleticism.

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PAST SEASONS

Le Spectre de la Rose

This Russian piece was choreographed by Mikhail Fokine after a poem of Théophile Gautier and music of Carl Maria von Weber with an orchestration by Berlioz (Invitation to the Waltz). The ballet tells the story of a young woman who returns from a ball and brings home a rose. She falls asleep in a chair and in her dream dances with the spirit of the rose, until the spirit disappears with a spectacular leap through the window and she awakens. For this montage, Mr. Issaev has invited Mr. George Zoritch, one of the few survivors of the Grand Ballet Russes period after Diaghilev, who danced the Spirit in Le Spectre de la Rose to stage this ballet in Miami.
This production has the support of the Miami Salon Group.

Firebird

With fantastic costumes designed by Jorge Gallardo and Stravinsky’s brilliant score, Firebird has had an overwhelming success over the past three years. The ballet tells the tale of a magical firebird that helps a heroic prince rescue a beautiful princess from Katscheii, a sinister force of evil. Stravinsky’s masterpiece includes the Firebird’s exuberant dance followed by variations based on Russian folksongs, the beautiful Round of the Princesses, Katscheii’s rhythmic dance and a romantic lullaby. Gorgeous backdrops by Russian designers Elena Bondarenko and Sergey Ignatevy along with magical special effects fulfill this wonderful production.

“Issaev’s genius and teaching/directing shows through in his dancers,…The entire dance team is a reflection of the notable precision and classical dance beauty for which Issaev has few equivalents.” wrote Ron Levitt, Contributing writer for Entertainment News and Views, as reviewing last years presentation of this forceful production.

With a cast of more than 40 dancers, the production includes costume designs by Jorge Gallardo, who has designed for Ballet Florida and Ballet Nacional de Caracas.

Arts Ballet Theatre's founder Vladimir Issaev's has created innovative choreography with a great deal of passion, combining his love affair with neo-classical ballet and strict Russian ballet roots.