International Ballet Classique to Host Spring Ballet Festival with LES APPARITIONS Premiere

By: Mar. 11, 2014
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International Ballet Classique (IBC) opens it 2014 performance season with a festive and lively Spring Ballet Festival. The performance will begin with Marius Petipa's ever popular the Satanella pas de deux from the Carnival in Venice followed by Les Apparitions (The Appearances) an original ballet choreographed by guest artist Malcolm Burn Artistic Associate and Ballet Master of the Richmond Ballet. The festival will also feature IBC's Artistic Director Denis Gronostayskiy's production of the vibrant and festive The Wedding Scene (Act lll) from Coppelia the ever popular French comedic ballet that premiered in Paris on May 25, 1870.

The Satanella pas de deux is a mesmerizing dance that shares the story of a woman who uses a conflicting web of guile, deception, and emotional manipulation to deceive and capture the man of her dreams. This romantic and seductive pas de deux was first performed in Paris on September 23, 1840. On February 22, 1848 in Saint Petersburg, Russia the beloved choreographer Marius Petipa created a new pas de deux for this ballet that has acquired a life of its own and has now become a part of the classical ballet repertoire.

We are pleased to present the world premiere of Les Apparitions an ethereal Romantic Ballet Blanc inspired by the piano masterpieces of Frederic Chopin and the beautiful ballet "Les Sylphides" created by the great ballet master Michel Fokine whose wonderful choreography and revolutionary concepts continue to inspire the art of ballet to this day.

In the words of Denis Gronostayskiy,"the Ballet Festival offers three complementary yet distinct visions of ballet for our audience. In the Santanella pas de deux we are confronted with the perplexing and thought provoking power of supernatural forces that shape the lives of the two dancers. It teaches us to think about how easily we may be deceived and why. By contrast Les Apparitions offers us a ballet of original choreography that takes us to a world that is beautiful, ethereal and natural. IBC dancers perform in flowing white ballet costumes, satin toe shoes that rise on pointe to interpret the flowing melodies of Chopin and to fulfill the ideal of the Romantic Movement in ballet by surrendering to the unknown. And finally in Coppelia, we are taken to a small European village hundreds of years ago to the wedding celebration of two young lovers that showcases favorite European dances such as the mazurka, czardas and valse (waltz)". Gronostayskiy added, "Coppelia is both a hilarious comedy and a love story that has its roots in both real life and in fantasy. Throughout the ballet, Swanilda, the heroine, teaches Franz, her husband to be, a lesson about life and love. They learn through betrayal and forgiveness, and laughter and comedy that in life illusions are both humorous and deceiving. From vibrant and colorful peasant dances to a jubilant celebration of love each moment of their wedding is a happily ever after experience for all ages".

IBC is dedicated to inspiring a love of ballet in diverse audiences through performances of classical ballet and innovative new ballets choreographed in the finest traditions of the Bolshoi all at affordable prices".

Denis Gronostayskiy is Artistic Director of International Ballet Classique and Master Instructor with The Academy of International Ballet. He is a graduate of the world-renowned Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow Russia and acclaimed as Artist of Distinction in the United States. Gronostayskiy was Principal Artist with the Moscow Renaissance Ballet in Russia, Philadelphia Ballet Theatre, the Richmond Ballet, VA and now with International Ballet Classique. He danced professionally throughout Europe, Japan and the US.

Malcolm Burn (Artistic Associate and Ballet Master) is a native New Zealander in his 26th year on the artistic staff of Richmond Ballet. During his 25-year dancing career he performed leading roles in the standard classic repertory as well as numerous creations of contemporary ballet. Prior to his coming to Richmond Ballet as a principal dancer, Mr. Burn was Co-Director of Ballet Arizona. He has performed with the London Festival Ballet, and was a principal dancer with The Royal New Zealand Ballet, The National Ballet of Zimbabwe, Ballet West, and P.A.C.T. Ballet in South Africa, where he won the Ivan Soloman Award for Best Male Dancer in 1973, 1976, and 1980. Mr. Burn's choreographic works for Richmond Ballet include Romeo and Juliet, The Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, A Tribute, Classical Symphony, Faces, Walpurgis Nacht, Pas Glazunov, and Complete Trust.

International Ballet Classique's Spring Ballet Festival will be performed on the stage of the Meagher Theater on the tranquil campus of Neumann University in Aston, PA. The performance is on Saturday March 22. at 7:30 pm. Tickets are reserved seating. Regular priced tickets are $20.00, seniors and students discounted at $16.00. Call IBC for special group rates. The Meagher Theatre is handicapped-accessible and there is ample free parking adjacent to the theatre. Neumann University is located at One Neumann Drive, Aston, Pa. 19014. Tickets may be purchased by calling 484-444-2389, extension #3 or on line at www.academyballetru.com



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