The Colorado Ballet Presents BALLET MASTERWORKS, 2/20-3/1

Colorado Ballet presents Ballet MasterWorks, a collection of three works by the masters of music and dance February 20-March 1, 2015 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, with live music performed by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra.

Ballet MasterWorks includes Concerto Barocco, by choreographer George Balanchine and music by Johann Sebastian Bach;Fancy Free, choreographed by Jerome Robbins with original score composed for the ballet by Leonard Bernstein; and In Pieces, choreographed by Val Caniparoli with music by Poul Ruders.

"The first time we performed a Ballet MasterWorks production in the spring of 2013, we really pushed our dancers and musicians to demonstrate their artistry, athleticism and raw talent," said Colorado Ballet Artistic Director Gil Boggs. "We needed to show what our performers were capable of outside of traditional storybook ballets and they exceeded everyone's expectations. That is why it was so important to present another collection of challenging works like this again."

About the ballets:

Balanchine, a neo-classical ballet choreographer, has been credited for the successful fusion of contemporary concepts with the vocabulary of classical ballet. According to Balanchine, the ballerinas in Concerto Barocco personify the violins in Bach'sConcerto in D minor for Two Violins.

Not only did Robbins choreograph more than 60 ballets, he also created choreography for theater, movies and television. Fancy Free is a comical and romantic ballet set during World War II that features three sailors on leave in New York City.

Rounding out Ballet MasterWorks is the return of In Pieces, which made its world premiere with Colorado Ballet in 2013. Caniparoli has contributed to the repertories of more than 35 dance companies. Featuring dramatic lighting and costumes, the ballet is set to Ruders' Concerto in Pieces.

"I don't think the audience knew what we were capable of the last time we presented a MasterWorks production," said Boggs. "Our dancers proved that you don't need to go to New York or San Francisco to see ballet of this caliber, you can see it right here in Denver with Colorado Ballet. If you want to experience a performance of spectacular and exhilarating dance, Ballet MasterWorks is not to be missed."

Performance Dates and Times:

Friday, February 20, 2015 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, February 21, 2015 at 2 p.m.

Saturday, February 21, 2015 at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, February 22, 2015 at 2 p.m.

Thursday, February 26, 2015 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, February 27, 2015 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, February 28, 2015 at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 1, 2015 at 2 p.m.

Ticket prices range from $25 to $155. To purchase tickets, visit www.ColoradoBallet.org or call 303-837-8888 ext. 2.

About Colorado Ballet

Established in 1961 by Lillian Covillo and Freidann Parker, Colorado Ballet is a non-profit organization celebrating 54 years of presenting world-class classical ballet and superior dance in Denver. Under the direction of Artistic Director Gil Boggs, Colorado Ballet presents more than 50 performances annually. Colorado Ballet enhances the cultural life of Colorado through performances of the professional company, training at the Academy, and Education & Outreach programs. Visitwww.coloradoballet.org.

Photo: Artists of Colorado Ballet in "The Rite of Spring," photo by Mike Watson