Carmina Burana features the powerful choreography of John Butler set to music by Carl Orff. Mr. Butler created the work in 1959 using a combination of dance styles that mesh the earthy movement of modern dance with the line of classical ballet to create a style that is still innovative today. At the time, Mr. Butler's work sparked heated debate from audiences who either loved or detested the work. It is this same passionate reaction that makes Carmina Burana so popular today.
"It provokes a kind of emotional response we rarely see in today's theater, and I think that power is why audiences connect with this work." - Artistic Director, Stoner Winslett.
Mr. Butler, a former scholarship student at Balanchine's School of American Ballet and a member of Martha Graham's professional company, used his training in modern dance and classical ballet to create a dynamic style. He conceived the entire production of Carmina Burana including the costumes, and his choreography has a very distinctive look borne out of his strong vision.
Carl Orff composed the well-known musical score in 1935 using approximately 24 carminas or songs from more than 250 verses found in an ancient Bavarian monastery to create a classical work that resonates with today's audiences. The vast work dates back to the 13th Century and provides excellent insight into the culture and history of the time period. Carmina Burana presents a frank and lusty picture of life in the Middle Ages when disenchanted monks and intellectuals left their disciplined lives to pursue earthly pleasures such as singing, drinking and praising life.
Carmina Burana opens with a prologue, portraying the ever-changing fate of man. The body of the work is divided into three sections. The first celebrates the joys and delights of spring, while the second section explores the pleasures, extravagances and despairs of tavern life. The third section is a series of love poems. The epilogue returns to the cyclical nature of fate. In its entirety, Carmina Burana paints a picture of 13th Century life by touching on religion and politics, morality, eroticism and social issues of the day.
During his prolific career, Mr. Butler chose unconventional subjects for his choreography and broke new ground in the field of dance. He was equally known as a director, with his work covering a wide spectrum from New York's Metropolitan Opera to the Paris Opera and Broadway. He worked with the top stars of the dance world including Mikhail Baryshnikov, Judith Jamison and Natalia Makarova; his works are in the repertories of the foremost international companies. Richmond Ballet is honored that Mr. Butler coached both of his works in its repertory, Carmina Burana and After Eden, before his death in 1993. It is a privilege for Richmond Ballet to continue performing Butler's great works.
"John Butler's Carmina Burana has always held a special place in the hearts of both our artists and our audiences." - Artistic Director, Stoner Winslett
See it here before it debuts in New York City
Carmina Burana opens in Richmond Ballet's Studio Theatre on March 27, and is the perfect opportunity for audiences to view this exhilarating work before the Company performs it as part of an all-Butler showcase during their one week engagement in New York City. This prestigious invitation comes at the request of the John Butler Foundation, and will be presented at The Joyce Theater, where Richmond Ballet performed to critical praise in April of 2005. Richmond Ballet dancers will share the stage with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ballet NY and guest artists Desmond Richardson and Tai Jimenez in this all-Butler series, John Butler: An American Master.
The John Butler Foundation is very excited to have engaged Richmond Ballet to perform Mr. Butler's Carmina Burana for its retrospective at The Joyce Theater. Richmond Ballet was the last company on which John personally set the work and oversaw its complete production. We are thrilled that Richmond Ballet, which has carefully restored the piece to its original splendor, will dance this masterwork for our Butler Retrospective. - William Soleau, Executive Director of the John Butler Foundation
Carmina Burana will be presented at the Richmond Ballet Studio Theatre beginning with the Choreographer's Club performance on Tuesday March 27, at 6:30 p.m., and running through Sunday, April 1 at 4:00 p.m. Show times include evening, late evening, and matinee performances.
The Studio Experience
Richmond Ballet's Studio Series offers patrons a close up view of dance in a relaxed environment where anything goes from evening dress to jeans. Richmond Ballet's Studio Theatre is just off the expressway. Parking is available directly across the street. Patrons are invited to relax and enjoy a libation before or after the performance in The Ballet Barre. Richmond Ballet's Studio Theatre is located on the third floor of the Company's building at 407 East Canal Street. -- www.richmondballet.com
Posted March 9th, 2007 by ruzik_tuzik
