BALLET CLASSICS UNDER THE STARS To Premiere At Sanctuary Of The Arts

Miami City Ballet Orchestra will be making its on-stage debut with the "Ballet Classics Under the Stars," which will take place on Friday, May 29 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, May 30 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, May 31 at 4:00 p.m.

Conducted by Gary Sheldon, the program showcases a range of ballet and classical works, including selections from Sleeping Beauty, Romeo and Juliet, Serenade, and the electrifying Polovetsian Dances.

"This is the first time the orchestra will ever perform on stage where the orchestra is featured rather than the dance company," Mike Edison, Founder of Sanctuary of the Arts, told Hola Latinos Magazine. "The program will feature classical ballet music, including selections from the great composers Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Georges Bizet, Samuel Barber, Alexander Borodin and Sergei Prokofiev, covering a musical period of 100 years."

A highlight of the evening comes as dancers take the stage in two featured works. Two of Miami City Ballet's dancers will perform a pas de deux choreographed by Pontus Lidberg to music by Samuel Barber. Alongside, two dancers from Sanctuary of the Arts' Choreographic Ensemble will perform the Romeo and Juliet pas de deux by Sergei Prokofiev, with choreography by Rafi Maldonado-Lopez and Alice Arja.

"I am so excited to play this new concert series with our ballet musicians and dancers," said concertmaster and violinist Mei Mei Luo. "Even though we play with the same emotion and quality in the pit, performing on stage creates a much stronger connection with our audience. It is wonderful to experience that connection in both ways. My piece, Carmen Fantasy, feels especially fresh because we just performed it with our dancers this season. I love that this program brings together dancers and music centered around ballet. I am really looking forward to these concerts."