San Diego Ballet Presents Tchaikovsky Spectacular

City Ballet of San Diego announces its "Tchaikovsky Spectacular" program as part its 14th season, March 30-April 1, 2007, at the Garfield Theatre in La Jolla.

TCHAIKOVSKY SPECTACULAR:

* David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre

* 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla

* Friday, March 30 at 8:00pm

* Saturday, March 31 at 8:00pm

* Sunday, April 1 at 2:00pm

The critically acclaimed City Ballet pays tribute to the greatest of Russian composers, Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, with a program that features "Swan Lake Act II" from the famous three-act ballet. Also known as the "white act," it features a corps de ballet of 20 swan maidens dressed in feathery white tutus. The ballet will be presented with all-new costumes and a magnificent backdrop, acquired through the Pennsylvania Ballet, depicting a moonlit forest lakeside setting complete with castles. The company will also present the technically difficult and artistically thrilling "Black Swan Pas de Deux" from the third act of "Swan Lake."

Making their debuts as Odette, the Swan Queen, in Act II and as Odile, the Black Swan, are two of City Ballet's principal dancers, Ariana Samuelsson and Janica Smith. They will be partnered by company principal dancers Ivan Beilik from Slovakia and Gerardo Gil from Mexico City. "We are very excited to be presenting this beloved ballet repertory here in San Diego and to have four dancers of this caliber capable of dancing the most difficult roles in the entire classical ballet repertoire. This is a great accomplishment for our company,": said Artistic Director Steven Wistrich.

Completing the program will be the world premiere of City Ballet's award-winning Resident Choreographer Elizabeth Rowe Wistrich's "Tchai Celebration," set to the music of Tchaikovsky's The Seasons, Opus 37b. This ballet will showcase a large cast of City Ballet's versatile dancers. The Russian-themed ballet is meant to be a reflection of Tchaikovsky's score without overtly telling a story. Music Director John Nettles has assembled live musicians, and a vocalist as accompaniment, in addition to readings of Russian poetry. -- www.cityballet.org