Diamonds, rubies and emeralds at Orcas Center with Bolshoi Theatre
Published 9:38 am Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Be transported to the golden, glorious Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow for the performance of The Bolshoi Ballet’s opulent George Balanchine triptych “Jewels,” streaming to Orcas Center on Friday, Nov. 20 at 6:30 p.m.
This stunning work celebrates the cities and dance schools of Paris, New York and St. Petersburg, each bound to its own precious stone: emerald, ruby, and diamond. Jewels offers a unique occasion to enjoy Balanchine’s visually captivating work, as the Bolshoi is the only company authorized to film and broadcast his masterpiece. This triptych was inspired by Balanchine’s visit to the famous jeweller Van Cleef and Arpels on New York’s 5th Avenue. He created this piece as an homage to the three schools of dance that have made him one of the most celebrated choreographers of the 20th century.
Emeralds, which Balanchine considered “an evocation of France — the France of elegance, comfort, dress, perfume,” recalls the 19th century dances of the French Romantics. Music by Gabriel Fauré. Rubies is a crisp and witty account of the American style, epitomizing Balanchine’s work with Stravinsky. Diamonds reminded Balanchine of the grandeur of imperial Russia, where he was trained. Mary Clarke and Clement Crisp wrote: “If the entire imperial Russian inheritance of ballet were lost, Diamonds would still tell us of its essence.” Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
Tickets are $18, $13 for students, $2 off for Orcas Center members, and may be purchased at www.orcascenter.org or by calling 376-2281 ext. 1 or visiting the Orcas Center Box Office. There are $5 subsidized tickets available at the box office.
