The Artist Series Presents SLEEPING BEAUTY On A New Date 2/17

Sleeping Beauty, the story of a beautiful princess, who, after being put under a 100-year spell, is finally awoken by her true love's kiss, has been enchanting audiences for well over 100 years. Now it's your turn to experience this enchanting tale through the brilliant dancers of the Tchaikovsky Ballet Theatre, coming to the Times Union Center's Moran Theater on the new date of Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at 7:30pm.

Sleeping Beauty is a world renowned ballet that takes place in a prologue and three acts, first performed in 1890. The music was by Pyotr Tchaikovsky. As the ballet begins, baby Princess Aurora is being christened. The evil Carbosse storms in and curses the baby, as her invitation to the event had been overlooked. The curse states that on her 18th birthday, the princess will prick her finger and die. However, the Lilac Fairy weakens the curse. She proclaims that instead of dying, Princess Aurora will fall into a deep sleep for 100 years. She will then be awakened by the kiss of a handsome prince.

Founded in 1870, the Tchaikovsky Opera and Ballet Theatre is widely recognized as one of the most prestigious ballet companies in the world. The ballet company became a permanent institution in the mid 1920's.

A performance of Giselle opened the first ballet season on February 2, 1926. Since then, the theater has produced a growing number of classical and contemporary works with an emphasis on the operas and ballets of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

The magic of Ulanova, Dudinskaya, Sergeyev, Vecheslova and other Kirov artists profoundly influenced the appearance of the nation's third-in-importance ballet company, which shares the standards and the style of the famous Kirov school. The Ballet Company is unique in that it draws all of its dancers from its own school which is the most prestigious training institution for ballet in Russia

The school entered a new phase upon the arrival of the outstanding ballet teachers Ludmila Sakharova, its present artistic director; Yuly Plakht, and Galina Kuznetsova, who represent a new breed of Russian ballet stars, trained in the classical pattern, but who bring together musicality, theatrical passion and superb technical skill.

Former graduates and dancers of Ballet school, whose names are known the world over, include Galina Ragozina-Panova, Lyubov Kunakova, Galina Shlyapina, Nadezhda Pavlova, who went on to become a Prima Ballerina with the Bolshoi Theater, Olga Tchenchikova, Marat Daukayev, Mariinsky stars.

Nowadays, a new generation of artists like Elena Kulagina, the Company's Prima Ballerina, People's Artist of Russia, the winner of the honorary Award "The Best Ballerina of Ireland of 1996-1997 among the touring companies", Natalia Moiseeva, Yulia Mashkina, Vitaliy Poleschuk have distinguished themselves in national and international ballet competitions and festivals and won international fame.

With a company of 70 dancers, including one People's Artist, 3 Honored Artists of Russia, 4 winners at major international competitions and winners of special awards, their mission is based on a dedication to establishing and maintaining a solid tradition of superior Russian classical dance.

The Company's varied repertoire highlights ballet's most treasured classics, original works and new works of respected choreographers like Ben Stevenson, and the latest co-production of Concert Barocco, a gift of the Balanchine Fund to Perm Ballet.

Some of Ballet soloists are working with the companies in Boston, Philadelphia, New Jersey, Amsterdam, Switzerland and others.

They are now known far beyond Russia's borders. Numerous foreign tours and appearances at international arts festivals in Viena, Bregentz, Spoleto, Seget, Dubrovnik, Servantino in Mexico and others have brought fame and success to the Company.

SLEEPING BEAUTY AND THE TCHAIKOVSKY BALLET THEATRE will be performed at the TIMES UNION CENTER'S MORAN THEATER on the NEW DATE of Wednesday, February 17, 2010 for one performance only. Tickets range in price from $30.50 to $78.50. Discounts are available for groups of 10+, 40+, or 60+ by calling (904) 632-3228.

To order by phone with Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover call The Artist Series Box Office at (904) 632-3373 (toll-free outside of Jacksonville 1-888-860-BWAY.)

Tickets are also available online with Instant Seat Selection by visiting the
The Artist Series' website, www.artistseriesjax.org.

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