Ballet du Grand Theatre de Geneve Comes to the Byham Theater Tonight

The Pittsburgh Dance Council, a division of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, will present Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève tonight, March 8, 2014, at 8:00 p.m., at the Byham Theater. Directed by Philippe Cohen, the Genève Ballet is known around the world for its exquisite choreography and exciting artistic collaborations. The evening program will feature two works, Glory and Sed Lux Permanet.

Glory, choreographed by Andonis Foniadakis, allows the dancers' bodies to come together in various modes of symbolism to the mastery and quality of Handel's flamboyant music. Sed Lux Permanet, choreographed by Ken Ossola, uses sculpted shadow play to enhance the delicate nature of the body set to the sensitive and ethereal sweetness of Fauré's Requiem.

The Grand Théâtre has hosted some of the world's greatest ballet companies, notably Isadora Duncan, Nijinsky and the Ballets Russes. At its reopening in 1962, the Grand Théâtre created its own ballet company, The Grand Théâtre de Genève Ballet, under the successive management of Janine Charrat, Serge Golovine, Patricia Neary, Peter van Dyck, Oscar Araiz, Gradimir Pankov, François Passard and Giorgio Mancini.

From its beginnings, the company has been dedicated to performing various styles of dance and has worked with renowned artists such as George Balanchine, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Rudolf Nureyev, Jiri Kylian, Ohad Naharin, William Forsythe and Lucinda Childs. The company features twenty-two classically-trained dancers from around the world, performing in the neo-classical and contemporary styles. Each season features several new productions, repertoire performances at home, on tour, school productions and educational workshops. La Presse de Tunisie raves, "Divine...this company has established itself as one of the most original and inventive in Europe."

Tickets ($19-$55) may be purchased at the Box Office at Theater Square, online at www.TrustArts.org, or by calling (412) 456-6666. Subscribe to the 2013-2014 Dance Council season by calling (412) 456-1390 or online at www.TrustArts.org/dance.

Each year the Pittsburgh Dance Council, a division of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, showcases a world-class season of dance. As the largest presenter of international performances in the city, the Dance Council, now celebrating its 44th season, continues to help make our Cultural District one of the country's leading arts and entertainment centers.

About The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust: The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has overseen one of Pittsburgh's most historic transformations: turning a seedy red-light district into a magnet destination for arts lovers, residents, visitors, and business owners. Founded in 1984, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a non-profit arts organization whose mission is the cultural and economic revitalization of a 14-block arts and entertainment/residential neighborhood called the Cultural District. The District is one of the country's largest land masses "curated" by a single nonprofit arts organization. A major catalytic force in the city, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a unique model of how public-private partnerships can reinvent a city with authenticity, innovation and creativity. Using the arts as an economic catalyst, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has holistically created a world-renowned Cultural District that is revitalizing the city, improving the regional economy and enhancing Pittsburgh's quality of life. Thanks to the support of foundations, corporations, government agencies and thousands of private citizens, the Trust stands as a national model of urban redevelopment through the arts.

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