Cairo,
Egypt May 8-14, 1999
The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago
performed two programs in Egypt at the Cairo Opera House, May 8-14, 1999. The programming for Cairo included a variety of works by
Gerald Arpino which allowing dance patrons in Egypt to experience the
Company’s uniquely American style.
“The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago
is honored to be performing in Egypt’s capitol, Cairo, at the Cairo
Opera House at the National Cultural Center.
We are particularly proud to be performing in Egypt, one of
history’s most important nations and civilizations, for the first time,
and to be included as part of the 10th Anniversary celebration
of the world-renown National Culture Center,”
explained Gerald Arpino.
“From the lush romanticism of
the 19th century master choreographer Arthur Saint-Leon; to the
neo-classicism of The Royal Ballet’s Sir Frederick Ashton; to the
electrically-charged work of modernist Laura Dean and several of my own
works, the range of ballets which we will be performing reflect the
artistic diversity of this uniquely American classical ballet company.”
The programming for the Cairo tour
was Gerald Arpino’s Kettentanz
and Sea Shadow, as well as Arthur Saint-Leon’s La Vivandiere Pas De Six and Laura Dean’s newest work for the
Joffrey Ballet of Chicago Creative
Force as Program A; and Gerald
Arpino’s Viva
Vivaldi , L’Air D’Esprit and Light
Rain, along with Sir
Fredrick Ashton’s Monotones I
& II as Program B.
The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago
was represented exclusively in Egypt by Performing Arts International, Ltd.
and their President, Dr. Magda Saleh.