A Tribute to Classical Ballet
June 18 & 19, 2010
7:30 p.m.
Chenery Auditorium
Join us in celebrating FBT’s 25th year!
The tribute features two classic Russian ballets seldom seen in the U. S. -- Le Spectre de la Rose and La Vivandiere -- plus an original ballet choreographed by FBT, entitled Degas and the Little Dancer.
Le Spectre de la Rose (The Spirit of the Rose) will showcase the talent of guest artist Nicholas Schultz, principal dancer with Grand Rapids Ballet, Michigan’s only professional ballet company. Le Spectre de la Rose is world renown as the most challenging ballet performance for a male dancer due to its technical difficulty. Nicholas was honored to take on the challenge of this performance as a tribute to FBT and its dedication to classical ballet. FBT’s principal dancer, Amy Osment will partner with Schultz in the pas de duex (duet). Amy began dancing in 1985 (at age 4), the same year Ballet Theatre was founded. Amy and FBT are delighted to be celebrating 25 years together in the art of living, through love, dancing, and love of dancing!
La Vivandiere (The Canteen Keeper) is a high energy ballet requiring the dancers to take intricate and precise dance steps in quick tempo with the music. Beneath the playfulness and joy of the ballet is a series of technically demanding variations which must be performed flawlessly by FBT dancers. What makes this 1844 ballet especially thrilling to perform is that it is one of the few ballets for which the original written choreographic notations still exist today.
The highlight of the evening’s performance will be an original ballet inspired by the works of French artist Edgar Degas, entitled “Degas and the Little Dancer.” This FBT choreographed ballet is loosely based on the historical facts regarding Marie Goethem, the model for Degas’ famous statue, Little Dancer of Fourteen Years. Marie trained with the Paris Opera Ballet but never danced professionally. In real life she faded from the dance world, but has been immortalized by Degas’ artwork. FBT’s youngest senior company dancer, Alexxie Hurley, age 14, will make her solo debut as the Little Dancer. This ballets depicts a 19th century French ballet company as seen through the eyes of Degas, reflecting the figures, scenes, and artistic lines of his work.
We hope to see you at the ballet.
