Review: DE VALOIS, BALANCHINE, ROBBINS at Sarasota Ballet

The Sarasota Ballet once again delivered several fine pieces of work presented at the Sarasota Opera House titled De Valois, Balanchine, Robbins. The Ballet closed its season with performances of Dame Ninette de Valois' Checkmate, George Balanchine's Valse-Fantaisie and Tarantella, and Jerome Robbins' Fancy Free. The Sarasota Orchestra, conducted by Sydney, Australia native Ormsby Wilkins, lavishly accompanied the Ballet. Mr. Wilkins is the world-renowned music director of The American Ballet Theatre.

Checkmate, a one-act ballet choreographed by Dame Ninette di Valois, was gloriously staged by Margaret Barbieri and Grant Coyle. It was a visually stunning display in art deco designs of battling chess pieces that come to life. This deadly game of chess radiates with dazzling choreography, flashy costumes and intriguing set designs. The conflict displayed in this ballet is the Red Knight's (Edward Gonzalez) love for the Black Queen (Danielle Brown). The Prologue places two chess players seated at a table ready for battle. One player represents Love (Flavia Abbadessa) who chooses the red side. The other represents Death (Christopher Hird) who chooses the black side. The ballet proper begins with the Red Pawns and Red Knights assembling on the chessboard followed by the Black Knights who come to bow in fear of the Black Queen. The Black Queen makes her advances toward the Red Knight and captures his heart. The frail Red King (Ricki Bertoni) and Red Queen (Victoria Hulland) arrive. When the Black Queen places the Red King in "check", a duel between the Red Knight and the Black Queen ensues. Although the Red Knight is victorious over the Black Queen, he cannot bring himself to end her life. However when he briefly turns his back, she fatally stabs him. The Black Queen turns on the Red King, spearing him in the back for her final move ending in "checkmate".

Valse Fantaisie, (the Company's premier) and Tarantella, both choreography by George Balanchine with music by Louis Moreau Gottschalk and orchestration by Hershy Kay were exquisite tributes to Balanchine's genius. The brief yet romantic Valse Fantaisie was beautifully rendered by Victoria Hulland and Edward Barnes. Kate Honea and Logan Learned were flirtatiously adorable in the elaborate Tarantella.

Jerome Robbin's Fancy Free was delightfully playful and brought back memories of his iconic Broadway musical and motion picture, On the Town, which followed Three Sailors on leave looking for girls and liquor in New York City. Alex Harrison, Jamie Carter and Ricardo Rhodes were up to the task with plenty of macho footwork. Sareen Tchekmedyian and Kristianne Kleine were lovely as the object of their affections.

According to the Ballet they have performed 141 different ballets under the 10-year leadership of Director Iain Webb, who has just signed on for an additional 10 years. Under Mr. Webb's direction, working with the proficient dancers he procures, we can only expect more luminous productions and accomplished talent in the upcoming seasons from the magnificent Sarasota Ballet.

For more information on the Sarasota Ballet visit www.sarasotaballet.org.

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