Win Tickets to Alberta Ballet: UNLEASHED (ENDED)

Allegro Brillante
George Balanchine’s Allegro Brillante performed to Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 3 is characterized by what Maria Tallchief (the ballerina on whom the bravura leading role was created) calls “an expansive Russian romanticism.” The music’s vigorous pace makes the steps appear even more difficult, but the ballet relies on strong dancing, precise timing, and breadth of gesture. Balanchine said: “It contains everything I know about classical ballet in 13 minutes.”

Yearning To Make A Difference
Be among the first to witness the world premiere piece by Montreal choreographer, the formidable Anne Plamondon. Based on an emotional event involving the death of a young girl that shook the province of Quebec, the piece represents society’s responsibility in a time of tragedy and how small gestures can really affect someone’s life in a beautiful way. Working with Alberta Ballet dancers, Anne explores movement that expresses how individuals have the power to make a positive impact in the greatest time of need.

Petal
Helen Pickett’s original inspiration for Petal came from the vibrancy of a Gerber daisy. As the ballet evolved color remained a critical element of the work, but the visceral movement and relationships between the dancers came to reflect the vigor of wildflowers rather than a hothouse bloom. “The eight dancers who invade, inhabit and constantly transform the stage space, perform as if they had been tossed a do-or-die challenge and are determined to transcend their training,” observed Allan Ulrich of SF Gate. Bathed in the light of hot yellows, pinks, and oranges the dancers’ kinetic energy reflects the vitality of spring.  There is also a deeper underlying connection between them expressed through the intimacy of human touch: a gentle caress around someone’s neck or along someone’s neck or inner thigh.  “Intimacy is such an important part of a human life – without it, we wither,” says Pickett. “Let’s celebrate this burst of color, this sound, this touch.”