Final Curtain Call For Beloved Ballet Arizona Dancer In Upcoming Performances

Ballet Arizona's All Balanchine lineup includes three mesmerizing ballets by George Balanchine, one of the most important choreographers of the 20th Century. All Balanchine will open with Symphony in Three Movements, and feature Natalia Magnicaballi in two leading roles, The Siren in Prodigal Son, and The Sleepwalker in La Sonnambula in her final performance with Ballet Arizona. All Balanchine will be performed May 3-6, 2018 at Symphony Hall and is staged by Artistic Director Ib Andersen, one of just a handful of artists worldwide authorized by The Balanchine Trust to stage these masterpieces.

Highlighting this year's performances, adored Ballet Arizona dancer Natalia Magnicaballi will make her final curtain call with this company at the Sunday, May 6 matinee performance. A Principal Dancer with two companies, The Suzanne Farrell Ballet at the Kennedy Center since 1999 and with Ballet Arizona since 2002, named "Best Dancer" by The Arizona Republic, Magnicaballi has danced a broad repertoire, including the lead roles in 36 Balanchine creations such as Apollo, Tzigane, Agon, and Gounod Symphony to name a few. She has also danced the leads in beloved classical ballets such as Swan Lake, Romeo & Juliet, Paquita, Raymonda, and Giselle, as well as many other works and premieres. Magnicaballi has performed across the country, and in the major houses and arena theaters around 5 continents, including the Paris Opera Garnier, the Mariinsky Theatre in Russia, Tokyo International Forum, Cairo Opera House, among many others, and has been reviewed by The Arizona Republic, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Dance Magazine, and Pointe Magazine. Her final performance with Ballet Arizona will feature her in the lead roles of The Siren in Prodigal Son and The Sleepwalker in La Sonnambula, one of Magnicaballi's most beloved Balanchine ballets, thus bringing her time with Ballet Arizona full circle.

Ballet Arizona last performed Prodigal Son in 2010. With music by Sergei Prokofiev, this was the last of Balanchine's works for Ballets Russes. The story comes from the biblical parable and emphasizes the themes of sin and redemption.

Symphony in Three Movements, features a large ensemble cast performing energetic, powerful movements to a complex score by composer Igor Stravinsky.

The third ballet in the All Balanchine series is La Sonnambula, one of Magnicaballi's signature Balanchine ballets. From composers Vittorio Rietti and Vincenzo Bellini comes a story of a Poet, entranced by a Sleepwalker. Apparitions, jealousy and rage come together for an intense presentation of contemporary ballet.

Ballet Arizona will present five All Balanchine performances from May 3-6, 2018, at Symphony Hall in Phoenix. Ticket prices start at $25, with discounts offered for seniors, students, military, and groups. Tickets can be purchased by calling 602-381-1096 or by visiting www.balletaz.org.

Ballet Arizona, in its 32nd season, is dedicated to preserving and celebrating classical dance while creating new and innovative works. Under the artistic direction of internationally acclaimed choreographer Ib Andersen - a former Principal Dancer with The New York City Ballet and The Royal Danish Ballet - Ballet Arizona follows his lead to the future of dance in Arizona. The School of Ballet Arizona, under the direction of Anthony Jones, promotes access to the art form of ballet through dance education, with a focus on excellence in the form, directing each student to a life-long love of dance. Following this vision, Ballet Arizona connects to more than 35,000 children and families every year through its free and low cost outreach programs.

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