Two well-known 19th-century classics – “Le Corsaire” and “Coppelia” – will highlight the Colorado Ballet’s five-production season in 2007-08, the company announced Monday.
In addition, the ballet will team with the Denver-based Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble to present three performances of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater as part of the New York-based troupe’s 50th-anniversary tour.
The acclaimed modern-dance company will perform April 4-6, 2008, in the Ellie Caulkins Opera House in the Denver Performing Arts Complex, also the venue for all the ballet’s own performances.
“When you have some of the works they have, certainly like ‘Revelations,’ you just want to present that to your dance crowd,” said Gil Boggs, the company’s artistic director. “And partnering up with Cleo is just the perfect way to do that.”
For the first time, the ballet will present “Le Corsaire (The Pirate),” which was originally choreographed in 1856 by Joseph Mazilier to a score by Adolphe Adam. Loosely based on a poem by Lord Byron, it tells the story of a pirate’s love for a young Greek woman, Medora.
This version, which will open the season Oct. 5 and run for nine performances, was created by Eldar Aliev, a former principal dancer with the Kirov Ballet and now a ballet master with the Boston Ballet. His choreography has earned him international recognition.
“It’s a different style of ballet as opposed to ‘Sleeping Beauty’ or ‘Cinderella,”‘ Boggs said. “It’s pirates and ships. The male dancing in it is very bravura, as opposed to it being about the ballerina so much.
“It’s something new and exciting. That’s what I’m trying to do – bring in some new choreographers, things that haven’t been done.”
Offering a spring classical counterpart to “Le Corsaire” will be the ever-popular family ballet “Coppelia,” a sentimental and comic tale of the mysterious happenings in the toy shop of Dr. Coppelius. It was adapted from a story by E.T.A. Hoffmann, whose writing served as the inspiration for “The Nutcracker.”
The company, which last staged the ballet in 2003, will present eight performances Feb. 23-March 2, 2008, of a slightly different version of the traditional ballet this time around.
Offering a touch of the new March 15-23, 2008, will be the Repertory Series, a program of contemporary works, including what is believed to be the Colorado premiere of the 1975 work, “The Leaves Are Fading” by famed British-born choreographer Antony Tudor (1909-1987).
“I think he is one of the masters of choreography over the 20th century,” Boggs said. “It’s sort of an introduction because I would like to bring back some of his more theatrical productions: ‘Pillar of Fire’ and ‘Lilac Garden,’ which are sort of mini-dramas on stage.”
Also on the program will be a world premiere by Dwight Rhoden, co-artistic director of the New-York-based Complexions Contemporary Ballet, and Lar Lubovitch’s “… smile with my heart,” a 2002 tribute to the songs of Richard Rodgers.
Rounding out the season will be the annual return of two audience favorites – five performances of “Dracula,” Oct. 25-29, and 24 performances of “The Nutcracker,” Nov. 24-Dec. 24.
Season subscriptions are expected to go on sale to the public in April, and single tickets will be available July 15. Call 303-837-8888 or visit coloradoballet.com.
Fine arts critic Kyle MacMillan can be reached at 303-954-1675 or kmacmillan@denverpost.com.
