Ridgefield Playhouse to Screen BOLSHOI BALLET: JEWELS, 11/16

The Ridgefield Playhouse and AAA Northeast Live in HD Series, continues with an HD screening of the Bolshoi Ballet: Jewels on Monday, November 16, at 7:00 p.m.

This triptych was inspired by Balanchine's visit to the famous jeweler Van Cleef & Arpels on
New York's 5th Avenue. He created this piece as an homage to the three schools of dance that have made him one of the most celebrated choreographers of the 20th century. EMERALDS, which Balanchine considered "an evocation of France - the France of elegance, comfort, dress, perfume," recalls the 19th century dances of the French Romantics. RUBIES is a crisp and witty account of the American style, epitomizing Balanchine's work with Stravinsky. DIAMONDS reminded Balanchine of the grandeur of imperial Russia, where he was trained. Mary Clarke and Clement Crisp wrote: "If the entire imperial Russian inheritance of ballet were lost, DIAMONDS would still tell us of its essence." This event is the fruit of a unique collaboration: the Bolshoi is the only company in the world allowed by the Balanchine Trust to capture and show this ballet in cinemas. The Balanchine Trust is an institution set to preserve and protect Balanchine's legacy. In order to give you a performance that remains true to his style, dancers trained by Balanchine himself have contributed to help the Bolshoi dancers rehearse this dazzling choreography.

Also coming to the screen is a live presentation of The Met Opera in HD: Berg's Lulu on November 21 at 12:30 p.m. Acclaimed artist and director William Kentridge (The Nose) applies his unique theatrical vision to Berg's notorious femme fatale who shatters lives, including her own. Musically, the masterful score is in the sure hands of Met Music Director James Levine. Soprano Marlis Petersen has excited audiences around the world with her portrayal of the tour-de-force title role, a wild journey of love, obsession, and death. Susan Graham joins a winning cast, including Daniel Brenna and Johan Reuter. On Sunday, December 6 at, 7:00 p.m. the Bolshoi Ballet's Lady of Camellias will be presented as an encore screening. The Bolshoi breathes new life into John Neumeier's tragic masterpiece, inspired by Alexandre Dumas' novel and accompanied by Chopin's exquisite score. This production assumes a new emotional and dramatic texture that only the Bolshoi's dancers can deliver. As with all of the performances in this series, enjoy dinner and a show by visiting Bernard's (20 West Lane · Ridgefield) on the day of the show for a great Prix Fixe Menu when you present your tickets. The AAA Northeast HD series is underwritten by Jeanne Cook, Anita and Nicholas Donofrio, Liz and Steven Goldstone, Sabina and Walter Slavin, with support from The Ridgefield Press and Whistle Stop Bakery.

For tickets ($25, $20 Members/Seniors, $15 Students - tickets are free for children 18 and under) call or visit the box office, 203-438-5795 or go online at ridgefieldplayhouse.org. Tickets are free for anyone 18 and under. The Ridgefield Playhouse, located at 80 East Ridge Road in Ridgefield, is a not for profit 501 (c)(3) whose mission is to present a variety of performing arts to the community and the surrounding area that they can enjoy and experience at a varied price point.

To post a comment, you must register and login.