Tulsa Ballet presents Masters of Dance March 18-20
Tulsa, OKLA. – February 24, 2016 – Tulsa Ballet is proud to present an eclectic sampler featuring highly acclaimed works by three of Europe’s most esteemed choreographers March 18-20 at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. In one evening, Tulsa Ballet dancers will perform an exuberant celebration of ballet and contemporary dance with music ranging from Mozart to Mick Jagger. This will be the only chance for Tulsa audiences to experience Masters of Dance before the Company takes this incredible program on tour to Italy. The fourth international tour is nearly sold out and will begin on March 30, 2016 in the Northern city of Trieste, Italy and then continue with performances in Udine, Mestre, Vicenza, Gorizia and Perugia, concluding April 8 in Brindisi.
Classical Symphony
Choreography by Yuri Possokhov, Music by Sergei Prokofiev
Tulsa Ballet premiered Classical Symphony in 2013. Tulsa World proclaimed “Classical Symphony is a wild, exhilarating display of pure physicality pushed to the extreme, and the Tulsa Ballet dancers brought it off in winning style.”
The New York Times described Classical Symphony as “Full throttle, pure dance.” One of the most virtuoso works of the season, Classical Symphony commands attention immediately, as a male soloist leaps into a double turn in the air on Prokofiev’s first note. The rest of the ballet follows suit with striking and peculiar combinations originating from classical movement, but creating an unorthodox modernity to the ballet’s conventional steps.
“Classical Symphony, created for San Francisco Ballet by its resident choreographer Yuri Possokhov, is a neo-classical work of unparalleled beauty and explosive energy. I was at its world premiere, and the audience leapt to their feet when it ended,” Artistic Director Marcello Angelini said. “It is probably one the most challenging new works I have seen in the past decade. Yuri uses purely classical technique strongly influenced by contemporary aesthetics. The result is a work as exciting and fresh as spring itself.”
Petite Mort
Choreography by Jiří Kylián, Music by Mozart.
Tulsa Ballet first presented Petite Mort for Tulsa back in 2008 and honored to be able to bring back what CriticalDance.org deemed a “mini masterpiece.” The piece was originally choreographed by Jiří Kylián, a Czech native, for the 1991 Salzburg Festival on the second centenary of Mozart’s death. Petite Mort is one of Kylián’s masterpieces: an engrossing and sensual ballet set to two of Mozart’s most beautiful concertos. All the dancers’ bodies become sculpture-like with dramatic flair.
In this provocative contemporary ballet, classical sensibilities are forged with bold wit as six men with fencing foils partner with six women who at times wheel around molded black baroque dresses. It’s a stark, sensual and powerful production. Angelini says, “Kylián is one of the grand masters of the twentieth century: he created a new vocabulary of dance, a true evolution of the classical ballet form that is just as beautiful and yet speaks of our sense of aesthetics in the 20th and 21st century. He has inspired generations of choreographers around the world and his works are performed in all the most prestigious companies in the world without exceptions.”
Rooster
Choreography by Christopher Bruce, Music by The Rolling Stones
It’s not every day you see the signature Mick Jagger strut at the ballet. Christopher Bruce’s rocking Rolling Stones tribute Rooster draws its name from the Rolling Stones’ tune “Little Red Rooster,” one of eight Stones songs featured in this energetic and engaging piece by the choreographer the Daily Telegraph called, “the Nureyev of contemporary ballet.” Songs range from Buddy Holly’s “Not Fade Away” to some of the best-known songs written by Keith Richards and Mick Jagger — “Ruby Tuesday,” “Paint it Black” and “Sympathy for the Devil.”
Bruce, one of the most engaging voices of dance in British past and present history, was appointed Houston Ballet’s Associate Choreographer in 1989. This world-renowned company has served as his artistic home in America since then.
“What makes this ballet so effective is Bruce captures the spirit of each song through movement –– his choreography works with the songs rather than against them,” said the Tulsa World.
“As Artistic Director of Rambert Dance Company, the most prestigious contemporary troupe in the UK, Mr. Bruce has enjoyed a tremendous career,” Angelini said. “One of his most popular pieces, Rooster is a multi-faceted work – featuring the extremely entertaining music of The Rolling Stones while drawing inspiration from the sexual revolution of the 1960’s.”
The Guardian wrote of the work saying, “The dancers…embody the pure adrenaline rush of songs.” While The Daily Telegraph described it as “funny, sharp, and sexy.”
Fact Sheet
WHAT:
Tulsa Ballet presents Masters of Dance featuring:
Classical Symphony by Yuri Possokhov
Petite Mort by Jiří Kylián
Rooster by Christopher Bruce
WHEN:
Friday, March 18th at 8pm
Saturday, March 19th at 8pm
Sunday, March 20th at 3pm
WHERE:
Tulsa Performing Arts Center
110 E. 2nd St.
TICKETS:
Call 918-749-6006
Visit us online at www.tulsaballet.org
Ticket Information:
Call (918) 749-6006 or visit www.tulsaballet.org.
Hi-Res images and interview opportunities available:
Ryan Allen, PR & Communications Manager
918.392.5949, ryan.allen@tulsaballet.org
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