Miami City Ballet dancers

For the first time in the company’s history, Ballet BC brings Miami City Ballet in a program of George Balanchine’s revolutionary choreography to the Queen E Theatre from February 19 to 21.

Performed by Miami City Ballet, one of America’s finest Balanchine interpreters, Balanchine is a triple bill of acclaimed George Balanchine works: Serenade, Symphony in Three Movements, and Ballo della Regina.

Miami City Ballet dancer Emily Bromberg; photo by Daniel Azoulay
[Miami City Ballet dancer Emily Bromberg; photo by Daniel Azoulay]
 
In an evening demonstrating Balanchine’s inspiring marriage of ground-breaking ballet with classical music, each piece is choreographed in dynamic relation to some of the world’s most celebrated scores.

Serenade, first performed by New York City Ballet in 1935, is a milestone in the history of dance, planting the seeds for the reshaping of classical ballet into an American art form. Set to Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings in C, Serenade is revered as Balanchine’s masterpiece and his “favorite child.” Symphony in Three Movements is a large ensemble work that is bold and breathtaking – a tour-de-force striking for both its simplicity and power.

Miami City Ballet dancers in Symphony in Three Movements; photo by  Joe Gato
[Miami City Ballet dancers in Symphony in Three Movements; photo by Joe Gato]

Balanchine’s choreography mirrors the propulsive rhythm of Stravinsky’s titular score with angular, athletic choreography. The virtuosic and exhilarating variations in Ballo della Regina are set to Verdi’s music edited from Don Carlos’ original score. The work is a beautiful and intricate set of variations for the ballerina, her partner, and the corps de ballet that offers many unique challenges with its vibrantly fast-paced and elaborate choreography.
 
The New York Times calls Miami City Ballet “one of the world’s leading exponents of choreography by George Balanchine”. Ballet BC’s Artistic Director Emily Molnar says, “Ever since I became the Artistic Director of Ballet BC, one of my desires has been to bring an evening of works by George Balanchine, a pioneer of contemporary ballet. Miami City Ballet is one of the leading ballet companies interpreting his work today. We are thrilled to share this exciting program of masterworks with Vancouver audiences.”
 
Miami City Ballet Artistic Director Lourdes Lopez (former principal dancer with New York City Ballet under Balanchine and Jerome Robbins) adds “We are thrilled and grateful to Ballet BC for presenting us in their programming this season, and to have an opportunity to perform at such prestigious venues outside of our home theaters. Mostly, I am looking forward to the company performing stellar ballet of remarkable artistry before our Canadian friends.” 
 

Ballet BC Presents Miami City Ballet’s Balanchine

Dates: February 19 to 21, 8 pm
Venue: Queen E Theatre, 649 Cambie Street, Vancouver
Tickets: $40.00 to $98.50 (inc. service charges); available online or via phoning 1.855.985.2787

About Miami City Ballet
Hailed by the New York Times as “one of America’s most beloved dance companies,” Miami City Ballet has 50 dancers and a repertoire of nearly 100 ballets. Miami City Ballet is based in Miami Beach in a facility designed by renowned architectural firm Arquitectonica. The facility is also home to one of the nation’s leading pre-professional ballet training programs.

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