OKLAHOMA FESTIVAL BALLET
PRESENTS FALL PROGRAM
THIS WEEKEND AND NEXT

 

Photo courtesy of OU School of Dance

 

From the press release

The University of Oklahoma University Theatre and School of Dance presents the Oklahoma Festival Ballet in a mixed-repertoire production featuring exciting choreography by School of Dance faculty Clara Cravey Stanley, Mary Margaret Holt, Ilya Kozadayev and Jeremy Lindberg. Performances are at 8 p.m. Sept. 20-21, 26-28 and 3 p.m. on Sept. 22, 29, in the Rupel J. Jones Theatre, Fine Arts Center, 563 Elm Ave., Norman. Tickets are about $20 for adults.

 

Harmonic Inspirations, choreographed by new faculty member Ilya Kozadayev, is a work set to Vivaldi’s “Violin Concerto in A Minor," part of his L'Estro Armonico collection of violin concertos. The abstract ballet is set as an interpretation of the music by Kozadayev’s contemporary interpretation of Baroque style, with the movement inspired by the virtuosity of the dancers of Oklahoma Festival Ballet.

 

Le Mistral, choreographed by Mary Margaret Holt, premiered in 2012.  “That production had 'the elements' as its theme, and, having been fascinated by the Mistral winds that sweep through France and over Provence for some time, I decided to use the Mistral as the inspiration and theme for my ballet. The dancers, at times, represent the wild Mistral, and sometimes, those in its path who are moved and affected by the winds.  The composers range from the 12th to the 21st century, to indicate the timelessness of nature.  The ballet demands a great deal from the cast in terms of movement quality, stamina and dynamics,” remarked Holt.

 

La Chanteuse de Paris, also choreographed by Holt, unfolds as a series of poignant incidents in the life of famed French singer Edith Piaf as reflected in her songs and gives the company the opportunity to share their expressive as well as technical gifts. 

 

The Pas De Deux, from the full-length classical ballet Sylvia, is choreographed by Clara Cravey Stanley. Originally choreographed by Louis Mérante to music by Léo Delibes, Sylvia premièred at the Palais Garnier in 1876. The ballet’s origins are in Tasso’s 1573 poem “Aminta,” which provides the basic plot of Delibes’ work. The 1952 revival choreographed by Sir Frederick Ashton popularized the ballet.

 

The Lakmé Ballet Suite is an original work of theatrical ballet choreographed by Professor Jeremy Lindberg to an arrangement of the rich and lively music from the opera Lakmé by Léo Delibes. The ballet is set in the shadow of temple ruins and danced with an intricate blend of classical ballet steps and motifs of India. Twenty-four dancers from Oklahoma Festival Ballet animate the vibrant music with an antique yet passionate feeling of 1850s India. The ballet is colorfully displayed in traditional Indian style costumes, coordinated by OU costume designer Kasey Allee-Foreman, with stage lighting designed by OU student Adam Honoré.