Saturday, February 18, 2017 2:00PM
Ellie Caulkins Opera House
2017 Ballet MasterWorks
Colorado Ballet will present a collection of three master ballet works set to live music by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra in Ballet MasterWorks, which includes Firebird, by choreographer Yuri Possokhov, Choreographer in Residence for the San Francisco Ballet and music by Igor Stravinsky. The ballet is based on the Russian folklore tale of the Firebird, a magical creature who assists Prince Ivan Tsarevich in rescuing the maiden Tsarevna from Kashchei the sorcerer. The production will also feature Serenade choreographed by George Balanchine to Tchaikovsky’s “Serenade for Strings in C.” Serenade was the first original ballet Balanchine created in America and is one of the signature works of New York City Ballet’s repertory. Colorado Ballet is extremely excited to present a work by choreographer Jirí Kylián for the first time—rounding out the program with Petite Mort by Kylián with music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Kylián created this ballet for the Salzburg Festival on the second centenary of Mozart’s death.
“Colorado Ballet performed Ballet MasterWorks productions in 2013 and 2015 and this new collection of works in 2017 will highlight the tremendous talent our dancers and musicians have to offer,” said Colorado Ballet Artistic Director Gil Boggs. “It is so important that we present a collection of master works every two years because it challenges our dancers and showcases their artistry and elegance. Where else can you see Firebird, Serenade and Petite Mort in one production with live music? Ballet MasterWorks also shows the caliber of dancing that audiences can see in Denver; proving that you do not need to go to New York or San Francisco to see ballet of this quality. I am so honored to present these three master ballet works to powerful live music.”
Audio Described Performance Date: February 19, 2017 at 2 p.m.