Los Angeles Ballet
Second Year for Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary's Company
The Los Angeles Ballet enters into their second season "Fusing Global Masterpieces with Local Flair".
As Los Angeles, California's very own professional ballet company, the Los Angeles Ballet has come to evolve a different and original genre of ballet. With talented artistic directors like Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary, the Los Angeles ballet has come to be known as a company who endeavours into the LA dance scene with classic and global originals.
On August 23, 2007 the Los Angeles Ballet announced their new 2007-2008 season featuring a line-up of features from local Los Angeles artists. Included in this repertoire are Jacques Hein with his ballet entitles "Diavolo", Jennifer Backhaus who won the Lester Horton Award, and Los Angeles Ballet's very own Melissa Barak who choreographed a critically acclaimed ballet for the New York City Ballet.
The season opener is the traditional holiday classic and family favourite - "The Nutcracker" - choreographed by Neary and Christensen. The Los Angeles Ballet is pleased to additionally present George Balanchine's "The Four Temperaments" in their 2007-2008 season. George Balanchine's masterpiece "The Four Temperaments" is a monumental masterpiece that stems from the ancient psychological concept of the four humours: Choleric, melancholic, sanguine, phlegmatic. Originally performed in 1946 and choreographed for the Ballet Society, George Balanchine's "The Four Temperaments" is set to a Hindemith score. Other productions include the classic pas de deux "Taranella", Tchaikovsky's music becomes background to "Allegro Brilliante", and finally August Bournonville's "Napoli Pas de Six and Tarantella" which has returned to the Los Angeles Ballet's stage by popular demand.
All these works are staged by Neary and Christensen and produced/performed by the Los Angeles Ballet. Christensen says "We are extremely pleased to bring world class dance back to Los Angeles for a second season showcasing the artistic talent of our city as well as the world of master choreographers. It's thrilling to be able to pay tribute to talented choreographers in our own backyard and provide them with a global platform to display their artistry.
The Los Angeles' Sophomore year not only brings in a fresh outlook on local talent but also focuses of new Los Angeles venues in Southern California. Venues now include Royce Hall, UCLA, the Ahmanson Theatre (Music Centre) and the Irvine Barclay Theatre. Artistic Director Neary states "we are excited to brgin out second season with such a beloved ballet [the Nutcracker], and again a special production tailor-made for Southern California audiences". Could this be the beginning of geographically-producing ballets?
Celebrating the creative aesthetic unique of Southern California, the Los Angeles Ballet is highly committed to bring world class dance and wonderfully talented dancers to every corner of Southern California. By performing at different venues which are accessible to communities across the city, the Los Angeles Ballet remains a not-for-profit arts organization that presents varied programs designed to appeal to a large and diverse fan base that are hopefully going to be devoted and supportive fans. Located at the Malibu Performing Arts Centre and lead by Julie Whittake - the Company's executive director - the Los Angeles Ballet looks forward to another successful season in 2007-2008.
Season tickets are set to go on sale Thursday September 6th, 2007 by calling (310) 998-7782 or by visiting the Los Angeles Ballet.
