Spring 2012 marks the Louisville Ballet’s 60th Anniversary – or Diamond Jubilee. The Ballet will commemorate this momentous occasion at Louisville's Brown Theatre with a mixed repertory program featuring highlights from six decades of dance, plus new work by Adam Hougland, and Sansei, a fresh look of the newest ballet by Louisville Ballet’s very own Mikelle Bruzina. Our 60th Anniversary Celebration will showcase selections ranging from classical to contemporary, handpicked from our repertoire by Artistic Director Bruce Simpson. Don’t miss this once in a lifetime event! Tickets on sale now.
As reported by Elizabeth Kramer in the Courier-Journal:
The Louisville Ballet has announced its season-closing program, a celebration of the company’s 60th anniversary with highlights from its repertoire, new works and a guest appearance by New York City Ballet dancer and Louisville native Wendy Whalen.
Artistic director Bruce Simpson said he wanted all the pieces in the anniversary program, scheduled for three performances on April 13 and 14, to show what has “anchored or defined the Louisville Ballet.”
The program will begin and end with two selections from the company’s repertoire. The opening will be “Theme and Variations,” which George Balanchine created for the New York City Ballet in 1947 and the Louisville Ballet last performed in 2004.
Simpson said the piece “echoes the grandeur of the classical ballet” because of the choreographer's training at Russia’s famed Mariinsky Ballet, while also forging a 20th-century or modern perspective.
The closing piece, “Lambarena,” last performed in Louisville in 2007, showcases a mix of ballet and traditional African dance set to baroque and West African music. It’s by Val Caniparoli.
“I love the ballet and dancers love doing it because of the true African nature of the references and of the classical references,” Simpson said.
The choreographer has a strong relationship with the Louisville company. Nearly two years ago, Caniparoli created the choreography for its “Nutcracker,” and he has worked with the company’s dancers on many others pieces, including 2010’s “The Seasons,” and “Vivace” and “Going for Baroque” previously.
The diamond jubilee program also includes “Unyielding Radiance” — a world premiere with a title that Simpson said reflects the idea of a diamond and the ballet’s ability to endure for six decades. Created by Adam Hougland, the Louisville Ballet’s principal choreographer, who has created eight other new pieces the company has premiered, “Unyielding Radiance” will feature eight couples.
“The dancers trust him implicitly,” Simpson said of Hougland.
Another premiere got its start in the company’s 2009 Choreographers’ Showcase, which has works created by its dancers and artistic staff. “Sansei,” by former principal dancer and now company head mistress Mikelle Bruzina, was choreographed to original music by Kentucky native and cellist Ben Sollee, who will play live for the upcoming performances. Read more...
