The Joffrey’s 2005 Winter Program will present American Masterworks, featuring ballets created by George Balanchine, Antony Tudor, and Jerome Robbins, each considered genius choreographers of the 20th Century. These artists made some of their greatest contributions to the dance world while working in the United States. The Joffrey is proud to present the ballets of these master choreographers.
PROGRAM DATES & TIMES
Wednesday, March 9, 2005 – 7:30pm
Friday, March 11, 2005 – 7:30pm
Saturday, March 12, 2005 – 2pm & 7:30pm
Sunday, March 13, 2005 – 2pm
Friday, March 18, 2005 – 7:30pm
Saturday, March 19, 2005 – 2pm & 7:30pm
Sunday, March 20, 2005 – 2pm
Square Dance
Choreographed by: George Balanchine
Music: Arcangelo Corelli and Antonio Vivaldi
Of George Balanchine’s masterpieces, The Joffrey has selected to feature Square Dance, a ballet that whimsically melds together classical movement and the uniquely American folk dance. Fiddlers play excerpts from Arcangelo Corelli and Antonio Vivaldi as the dancers perform dazzling classical ballet to the shout of a square dance caller. Imbued with intricate footwork and eye-catching patterns, Square Dance is an exceptional example of Balanchine’s artistry and genius.
Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, Balanchine (1904-1983) is recognized as the foremost contemporary choreographer in the world. He was the son of a composer and demonstrated a talent and appreciation for music and dance at an early age. When Balanchine was 9-years-old, he was accepted into the ballet section of St. Petersburg’s rigorous Imperial Theater School and was soon appearing on the stage of the famed Maryinsky Theater. He graduated with honors in 1921 and joined the corps de ballet of the Maryinsky. In 1933, at age 29, Balanchine was sponsored by a young American arts patron, Lincoln Kirstein, to come to the United States. Kirstein had a dream to create an American ballet company, and together he and Balanchine founded the School of American Ballet in 1934, which became the New York City Ballet in 1948. From that time, Balanchine served as the company’s ballet master and principal choreographer until his death in 1983.
The Joffrey greatly benefited from a close relationship with Balanchine during the company’s early years. Balanchine gave The Joffrey many of his ballets and donated sets, costumes and even coaching on several occasions.
Dark Elegies
Choreographed by: Antony Tudor
Music: Gustav Mahler
The Joffrey will present one of the most enigmatic choreographers of the 20th Century, Antony Tudor’s Dark Elegies. This piece will be a Joffrey premiere and is said to be Tudor’s greatest masterpiece, exemplifying the depth of human emotion through abstract movement. The ballet is accompanied by Gustav Mahler’s haunting composition “Kindertotenlieder,” which is sung by a baritone. The straightforward literal movement depicts the grief of village peasants over the death of a child.
Tudor (1908-1987), originally named William Cook, was born in England. He was known as the “king of psychological dance-drama.” Dark Elegies (1937) was among his first ballets that established him as a master choreographer. That same year he joined Dance Theatre, now known as the American Ballet Theatre, with Agnes de Mille, who encouraged him to move to the United States in 1938. Tudor left American Ballet Theatre to work with the New York City Ballet from 1951 to 1952. In 1950, he became the director of the Metropolitan Opera Ballet, and later a member of The Juilliard School faculty, where he choreographed many ballets for his students.
In 1974, Tudor rejoined American Ballet Theatre as associate director, and was made choreographer emeritus of the company in 1980.
Tudor is a stellar example of a foreign-born artist who carved out a distinguished career in the United States. In 1986, one year before his death, Tudor was presented the Kennedy Center Honors by President Ronald Reagan.
N.Y. Export: Opus Jazz
Choreographed by: Jerome Robbins
Music: Robert Prince
From the legendary Broadway choreographer of the 20th century, The Joffrey will present Jerome Robbins’ N.Y Export: Opus Jazz. This explosively energetic piece is a hip tribute to the youth of the Ô50s, and exhibits a similar genre of the famed West Side Story, which Robbins choreographed in 1957. Scored by Robert Prince and sets created by celebrated artist Ben Shahn, N.Y. Export: Opus Jazz exudes the “cool” jazz music and movements of the 1950’s era.
Jerome Robbins (1918-1998) was born in New York City. He received world renown as a choreographer of ballets created for the New York City Ballet, Ballets U.S.A., American Ballet Theatre, and other international companies. His exceptional career began in 1940 when he became a member of American Ballet Theatre’s corps de ballet. Among his many mentors was Antony Tudor.
In 1949 Robbins joined the New York City Ballet as a dancer and associate artistic director, working under the direction of George Balanchine. Robbins left New York City Ballet to form his own company, Ballets U.S.A. in 1958. During this time he created N.Y. Export: Opus Jazz, which premiered in 1958 at the Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto, Italy and became a hit in Europe and in New York City.
Throughout his career, Robbins also received acclaim for his work as a director of Broadway musicals and plays, movies and television programs. The Joffrey is delighted to present an American masterwork created by an American legend.