Provided by Virginia National Ballet
Virginia National Ballet is proud to present Carmina Burana and Bolero on Friday, May 11 at 7:00 p. m. at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas. Carmina Burana was the debut production of Virginia National Ballet, and Bolero is a new Premiere, which is the perfect way to cap off the company’s Five-Year Anniversary Season, which also included the World Premiere of the full-length ballet Aida, The Nutcracker, and a tour to UVA-Wise as part of the Pro-Art Series.
Founded by Managing Director Elysabeth Muscat Hegab and Artistic Director Rafik Hegab, Virginia National Ballet (formerly named Gainesville Ballet) has quickly established its reputation as an important, growing dance company in the Mid-Atlantic Region that presents new, exciting repertoire with talented, award winning international dancers from around the globe. The company is honored to have been chosen by the Virginia Commission for the Arts to be part of the Touring Directory in both 2017-18 and 2018-19. Presenters who wish to engage Virginia National Ballet to perform at their venues can receive a grant from the Commission to help cover the cost. This program encourages artistic collaborations throughout the State of Virginia. Virginia National Ballet is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, Virginia Commission for the Arts, Prince William County, NOVEC, and the Dominion Energy Foundation.
The opening chords of Carmina Burana (“O Fortuna”) are iconic and instantly recognizable, as this famous work for chorus and orchestra has been used in many movie soundtracks and television commercials. Carl Orff actually composed the music to be performed as a dance, and many companies around the world use this music.
Also on the program is the equally famous, incredible music of Bolero, by Maurice Ravel. Bolero is also instantly recognizable and has been used most famously in the movie “10” starring Bo Derek. The powerful orchestration, unique use of saxophone and other instrumentations, along with a driving beat, make Bolero the perfect musical score for a ballet. Bolero is a great complement to Carmina Burana, and will open the program.
Virginia National Ballet’s international professional company dancers include twelve dancers from the USA, Japan, and Brazil: Saaya Pikula (Japan/Poland), Emily Hashiguchi (Japan/USA), Luiz Gustavo Madubuike (Brazil), Emanuel Tavares Filho (Brazil), Leandro de Almeida (Brazil), and all from the USA: Savanna Alfanos, Annemieke Bruce, Michelle De Angeles, Esmae Gold, Emily Jarrett, Sarah Ruesch, and Madeline Sosna. The professional company will also be supported in Carmina Burana by pre-professional students Jade Condrell, Zeli Frantz, Zoe Frantz, Lucia Garvey, Camila Griggs, and Laura Rosendale.
Enjoy gorgeous dancers, great music, and completely original choreography. The performance is one night only! Friday, May 11, 7:00 p. m. Tickets range from $15-$35 and can be purchased at the Hylton Box Office or online hyltoncenter.org .
