Western Symphony and Serenade by Saint Louis Ballet
Saint Louis Ballet opens the 2024-2025 season October 12-13 with three ballets that offer tremendous variety and demonstrate the artistry of the great George Balanchine and Tony Award-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon. Individual tickets are now available to this mainstage performance that takes place at the Touhill Performing Arts Center, under the direction of director Gen Horiuchi.
George Balanchine’s iconic ballet Serenade is a signature work of New York City Ballet and was the first ballet created by the choreographer in America. A romantic work, set to a lush Tchaikovsky score, Serenade was created in 1934 and although plotless, does nod to classical ballets such as Giselle and Swan Lake. Balanchine incorporated some of the rehearsal moves (entrances, exits, falls) from the dancers of the new School of American Ballet into the final choreography. Serenade, with its dancers costumed in soft blue tutus, is one of the most enduring and beloved Balanchine ballets.
In sharp contrast to the emotional energy of Serenade is the equally impressive Western Symphony. Set on a street in the “old west”, dancers don cowboy hats and dance hall costumes. Demonstrating Balanchine’s fascination with American themes, the ballet incorporates formations and gestures of American folk dancing into the classical ballet steps. Western Symphony accompaniment is an arrangement of American folk tunes by Hershy Kay.
After the Rain Pas de Deux honored the anniversary of Balanchine’s birth with the presentation of world premieres in 2005. Debuted by New York City Ballet, it is a haunting ballet set to Arvo Pärt’s Spiegel im Spiegel. Christopher Wheeldon is an internationally renowned choreographer and artistic associate of the Royal Ballet. He was the first resident choreographer for NYCB. Among his many accolades are Tony Awards for MJ The Musical and An American in Paris on Broadway.
Western Symphony and Serenade by Saint Louis Ballet
Saint Louis Ballet opens the 2024-2025 season October 12-13 with three ballets that offer tremendous variety and demonstrate the artistry of the great George Balanchine and Tony Award-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon. Individual tickets are now available to this mainstage performance that takes place at the Touhill Performing Arts Center, under the direction of director Gen Horiuchi.
George Balanchine’s iconic ballet Serenade is a signature work of New York City Ballet and was the first ballet created by the choreographer in America. A romantic work, set to a lush Tchaikovsky score, Serenade was created in 1934 and although plotless, does nod to classical ballets such as Giselle and Swan Lake. Balanchine incorporated some of the rehearsal moves (entrances, exits, falls) from the dancers of the new School of American Ballet into the final choreography. Serenade, with its dancers costumed in soft blue tutus, is one of the most enduring and beloved Balanchine ballets.
In sharp contrast to the emotional energy of Serenade is the equally impressive Western Symphony. Set on a street in the “old west”, dancers don cowboy hats and dance hall costumes. Demonstrating Balanchine’s fascination with American themes, the ballet incorporates formations and gestures of American folk dancing into the classical ballet steps. Western Symphony accompaniment is an arrangement of American folk tunes by Hershy Kay.
After the Rain Pas de Deux honored the anniversary of Balanchine’s birth with the presentation of world premieres in 2005. Debuted by New York City Ballet, it is a haunting ballet set to Arvo Pärt’s Spiegel im Spiegel. Christopher Wheeldon is an internationally renowned choreographer and artistic associate of the Royal Ballet. He was the first resident choreographer for NYCB. Among his many accolades are Tony Awards for MJ The Musical and An American in Paris on Broadway.
Western Symphony and Serenade by Saint Louis Ballet
Saint Louis Ballet opens the 2024-2025 season October 12-13 with three ballets that offer tremendous variety and demonstrate the artistry of the great George Balanchine and Tony Award-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon. Individual tickets are now available to this mainstage performance that takes place at the Touhill Performing Arts Center, under the direction of director Gen Horiuchi.
George Balanchine’s iconic ballet Serenade is a signature work of New York City Ballet and was the first ballet created by the choreographer in America. A romantic work, set to a lush Tchaikovsky score, Serenade was created in 1934 and although plotless, does nod to classical ballets such as Giselle and Swan Lake. Balanchine incorporated some of the rehearsal moves (entrances, exits, falls) from the dancers of the new School of American Ballet into the final choreography. Serenade, with its dancers costumed in soft blue tutus, is one of the most enduring and beloved Balanchine ballets.
In sharp contrast to the emotional energy of Serenade is the equally impressive Western Symphony. Set on a street in the “old west”, dancers don cowboy hats and dance hall costumes. Demonstrating Balanchine’s fascination with American themes, the ballet incorporates formations and gestures of American folk dancing into the classical ballet steps. Western Symphony accompaniment is an arrangement of American folk tunes by Hershy Kay.
After the Rain Pas de Deux honored the anniversary of Balanchine’s birth with the presentation of world premieres in 2005. Debuted by New York City Ballet, it is a haunting ballet set to Arvo Pärt’s Spiegel im Spiegel. Christopher Wheeldon is an internationally renowned choreographer and artistic associate of the Royal Ballet. He was the first resident choreographer for NYCB. Among his many accolades are Tony Awards for MJ The Musical and An American in Paris on Broadway.
'Samarpan' celebrates 75 years of Indian independence
Dance drama world premiere is August 13 in St. Louis
The Indian community of St. Louis joins hands in celebrating 75 years of India’s Independence with Samarpan, an artistic rendition of the Indian freedom struggle against British colonial rule. The world premiere of Samarpan is at 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 13th, 2022, at Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center.
This dance drama has been conceptualized, written, and directed by American-based artist Prasanna Kasthuri, the artistic director of Soorya Performing Arts in St. Louis. Music is scored by veteran Indian musician Tirumale Srinivasan (Chami) and will involve the Indian dramatist Gaurang Bhavsaar (MFA in drama from Baroda University).
Historical events showcased in Samarpan will be depicted in five languages—Hindi, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, and Bengali—by more than 120 artists from India, the United States, and Canada. This mega dance drama honors the freedom fighters and highlights this struggle with the entire St. Louis community and beyond.
This production depicts events beginning from the 16th century, marking the arrival of the East India Company, weaving its way to dominating by the 1860s eventually, later facing the resistance freedom fighters from North-South, East-West, and every part of India, culminating with the events that led to freedom in 1947.
“It reminds us of the unforgettable sacrifices of the brave men and women who fought valiantly to get India out of the shackles of slavery,” producers say. “This is a glimpse into history like never before! A reminder for our generation and an eye-opener for kids.”
The world premiere showcase will portray the contribution of ideals such as ahimsa (non-violence), satyagraha (agitation for truth), and asahakara (non-cooperation)—the original ideas of Mahatma Gandhi. This idea of non-violence has become the mainstream thinking of freedom seekers worldwide, including leaders like Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela.
For ticket information and more details, click here.
