Miami City Ballet to Present 50th Anniversary Celebration of JEWELS

A glittering 50th Anniversary celebration of George Balanchine's Jewels will open Miami City Ballet's 2017-18 season on October 20, 2017, and will mark the first time the company has performed Balanchine's full-evening masterpiece in a decade. Jewels will be performed to live music by MCB's Opus One Orchestra, conducted by Gary Sheldon.

Balanchine's choreography for Jewels is inspired by precious gems - emeralds, rubies, and diamonds. Premiering in 1967, each of its three parts showcases different music and international styles of ballet: "Emeralds," with music by Fauré, evokes the dreamy romanticism of French ballet and is Balanchine at his most romantic and lyrical; "Rubies," set to music by Stravinsky, conjures the vibrancy, wit and exuberance of the American Jazz Age; and "Diamonds," with music by Tchaikovsky, reflects the classic grandeur of 19th-century Russian ballet at its imperial height.

The company's 52-member roster for the 2017-18 season includes several promotions, including Jennifer Lauren to principal, Lauren Fadeley to principal soloist and Ashley Knox to soloist, and the addition of seven new dancers: former longtime MCB dancer Katia Carranza will return as a principal dancer, Alexander Peters as a principal soloist and Eric Beckham, Julia Cinquemani, Aaron Hilton, Harrison Monaco and Alyssa Schroeder as corps de ballet dancer. A complete list of company members can be found here: MCB 2017-18 Company

Miami City Ballet performs in three locations across South Florida: in Broward, Miami - Dade and Palm Beach counties. Jewels will be performed as follows:

October 20 - 22 Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, Miami

October 28 - 29 Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Fort Lauderdale

November 17 - 19 Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, West Palm Beach

ABOUT JEWELS

Jewels premiered on August 13, 1967 at New York City Ballet

Choreography by George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust

"Emeralds" Music by Gabriel Fauré

"Rubies" Music by Igor Stravinsky

"Diamonds" Music by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky

ABOUT MIAMI CITY BALLET:

Miami City Ballet, now in its 32nd season, has been led by Artistic Director Lourdes Lopez since 2012. Lopez was recently named one of "The Most Influential People in Dance Today" by Dance Magazine. MCB was founded in 1985 by Miami philanthropist Toby Lerner Ansin and Founding Artistic Director Edward Villella. The Company has 52 dancers and a repertoire of more than 100 ballets. MCB performs for nearly 100,000 patrons annually during its South Florida home season in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Naples, and tours to top theaters domestically and internationally.

Miami City Ballet School, the official school of Miami City Ballet, is one of the most respected ballet training academies in America. The School's renowned faculty, challenging syllabus and affiliation with Miami City Ballet make it a place where all students - from children to adults - can receive comprehensive dance training. The School trains approximately 400 students, ages 3-18, in its year- round program, and 400 during its summer programs, granting nearly $500,000 in scholarships annually. More than 500 adults participate in a vibrant community division.

Miami City Ballet is headquartered in Miami Beach, Fla., at the Ophelia & Juan Js. Roca Center, a facility designed by renowned architectural firm Arquitectonica.

TICKETS

Jewels tickets start at $25 and are available at the box office, by calling 305.929.7010 or 877.929.7010 (Monday - Friday, 10 am - 5 pm) or online at miamicityballet.org.

FUNDING

Major funding for Miami City Ballet is provided by the Ford Foundation, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the Louis B. Mayer Foundation and The Shubert Foundation.

Miami City Ballet is sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture. Miami-Dade County support is provided by Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners with additional support provided by the City of Miami Beach, Cultural Affairs program, and the Cultural Arts Council. Palm Beach County support is provided in part by the Board of County Commissioners, the Tourist Development Council and the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County. Broward County funding is provided in part by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward Cultural Council and Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Miami City Ballet is a registered trademark of Miami City Ballet, Inc.

MIAMI CITY BALLET - HOME THEATER ADDRESSES:

Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County

Ziff Ballet Opera House

1300 Biscayne Boulevard

Miami, FL 33132

Broward Center for the Performing Arts

Au-Rene Theater

201 S.W. Fifth Avenue

Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33312

Kravis Center for the Performing Arts

Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. Concert Hall

701 Okeechobee Boulevard

West Palm Beach, FL 33401

Photo credit: Alberto Oviedo

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