Featuring the Cincinnati Premiere of an Exciting Co-Production with Ballet West Including a Cast of 100 on Stage
CINCINNATI, OH. – Cincinnati Ballet is thrilled to continue its historic return to Music Hall with a dazzling premiere of Carmina Burana, coupled with George Balanchine’s “stunningly beautiful” Serenade, for six performances this Valentine’s Day weekend – February 8 through 11.
Carl Orff’s powerful and evocative score comes brilliantly to life in the Cincinnati Premiere of the “wickedly fast-paced” Carmina Burana, choreographed by the renowned Nicolo Fonte. Fonte has created a ballet that is as dynamic as the music of Orff’s score, featuring 18 Cincinnati Ballet dancers accompanied on stage by the May Festival Chorus and backed by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.
Carmina Burana is an 11th-century text that was re-discovered in a Bavarian monastery in 1803. In 1936, composer Carl Orff set 24 of the poems to music, and it quickly became an extremely popular piece of classical repertoire, having been featured in major films, television, video games, and even sampled by Michael Jackson.
“World premieres of a reimagined iconic work – such as Carmina Burana – are rare. For this reason, I am so excited for our community of dance lovers to witness this unique collaboration with Ballet West,” said Victoria Morgan, Artistic Director for Cincinnati Ballet.
The entire evening has an arc, beginning with Balanchine’s sweeping and gently feminine Serenade, in its moonlit shadows and soft flowing skirts. This is then set in contrast to the boldly dramatic Carmina Burana and the physically dominant style of Nicolo Fonte.
PERFORMANCE DATES AND INFORMATION
WHO: Cincinnati Ballet
Serenade
Choreography: George Balanchine
Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, performed with the Cincinnati Symphony
Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Carmon DeLeone
Carmina Burana
Choreography: Nicolo Fonte
Music: Carl Orff, performed with the Cincinnati Symphony
Orchestra and May Festival Chorus, conducted by Maestro Carmon DeLeone
WHAT: Carmina Burana + Serenade
WHEN: Thursday, February 8 – 7:30 pm
Friday, February 9 – 8:00 pm
Saturday, February 10 – 2:00 pm
Saturday, February 10 – 8:00 pm
Sunday, February 11 – 1:00 pm
Sunday, February 11 – 6:30 pm
WHERE: Music Hall
1241 Elm St.
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
About Cincinnati Ballet
Since 1963, Cincinnati Ballet has been the cornerstone professional ballet company of the region, presenting a bold and adventurous array of classical, full-length ballets and contemporary works, regularly with live orchestral accompaniment. Under the artistic direction of Victoria Morgan, Cincinnati Ballet has become a creative force within the broader dance community, commissioning world premiere works and exploring unique collaborations with artists as diverse as Grammy-winning guitarist Peter Frampton and favorite, Ohio-based band Over the Rhine. With a mission to inspire hope and joy in our community and beyond through the power and passion of dance, Cincinnati Ballet reaches beyond the stage in programs that allow every person in the region to be part of the continued evolution of dance. To that end, Cincinnati Ballet presents exhilarating performances, extensive education outreach programs and offers top-level professional ballet training at Cincinnati Ballet Otto M. Budig Academy
CONNECT: READ / WATCH / LISTEN / LEARN / ENJOY at cballet.org
I attended the 2-pm show of this extrodinary piece, “Carmina Burana” and have to admit it was near life changing for me. I wondered if it would be featured on PBS at any time or if it was possible to purchase a video, if available.
I love the divergent movement of styles, the chorus, the soloist and orchestral accompaniment.
Please please tell me if there is any way to purchase the most dynamic performance of a lifetime.