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Jewels: September 26-27; October 2-6


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And look what showed up in the email, just after I posted the wish above:

Jewels Coaching Series (Studio Presentations)

Diamonds, featuring Jacques d’Amboise

Wednesday, August 20, 5:30 pm

Emeralds, featuring Violette Verdy and Mimi Paul

Thursday, September 11, 5:30 pm

Rubies, featuring Edward Villella

Monday, September 22, 5:30 pm

Pacific Northwest Ballet Artistic Director Peter Boal has invited the original interpreters of George Balanchine’s Jewels to coach PNB dancers for the Company’s revival of the 1967 masterpiece. Join these esteemed artists in the studio for a series of coaching sessions on the iconic roles Balanchine made for them.

Villella is also the guest for the dress rehearsal lecture/interview on September 25.

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Well, Verdy and Paul have been here before, although I don't think they'll be working with any of the same cast they had previously, but nonetheless, I think they might be the furthest along just because they're familiar with the company. As far as a choice goes, though -- if it were me, I'd either choose the section I love the best, so that I'd love it even more, or the one I knew the least well, so I could learn more.

Your mileage may vary...

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On the other hand, it's a public presentation, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Verdy back with Korbes. Just a guess.

Here's a link to sandik's thoughts on the 2009 performance she saw, including information about Mimi Paul's coaching section:

http://balletalert.invisionzone.com/index.php?/topic/28751-jewels-129-27/?p=241666

Also, kfw quoted part of a blog post by Peter Boal on Verdy's coaching; unfortunately, the domain was abandoned, and we only have the quote left:

http://balletalert.invisionzone.com/index.php?/topic/28751-jewels-129-27/?p=242982

Doug Fullington posted about the stagers who came in 2006, when PNB first produced "Jewels:"

http://balletalert.invisionzone.com/index.php?/topic/22427-jewels-podcast-casting-and-reviews/?p=182833

I posted a description of the Q&A in which Jonathan Porretta discussed how he learned the Villella role in "Rubies" and Peter Boal talked about Elyse Borne's work on the staging (scroll to "A few notes from the Q&A:"):

http://balletalert.invisionzone.com/index.php?/topic/22427-jewels-podcast-casting-and-reviews/page-2?hl=jewels

For the last PNB "Jewels" we only have a (now dead) link to the cast lists, but from the programs I have and the reviews on the 2009 Jewels thread, first, it was such a jolt to see how many dancers are no longer with the company -- Nadeau and Vinson in the Verdy role, Wevers in the Ludlow role, and Lallone and Stanton in the Paul and Moncion roles in "Emeralds;" Lowenberg, Vinson, Spell, Eames, and Thomas in the Pas de Trois -- along with about-to-be or by-then new mothers Kitchens and Foster -- Thomas, Eames, and Weese in the McBride role, Wevers amd Postlewaite in the Villella role, Lallone as Tall Girl, and Kerollis, Pacitti, Spell, Bartee, and Sar as the male corps in "Rubies;" Vinson, Milov, and Nakamura in "Diamonds", and corps members Brunson, Duge, Relic, Reshef, Stallman, Pankevitch, and Rollofson in other corps roles. Nakamura did the McBride role in 2006 and 2007, and Pantastico did the McBride role in 2007.

The dancers who are still in the company and not on maternity leave (with the role in parentheses) are:

Emeralds: Carla Korbes (Verdy), Karel Cruz (Moncion), Sarah Orza/Jerome Tisserand (Paul/Moncion couple), (fingers crossed) Maria Chapman (Paul), and Pas de Trois dancers Seth Orza, Sarah Orza, and Benjamin Griffiths.

Rubies: Laura Gilbreath, Lindsi Dec, and Carrie Imler (Tall Girl), Jonathan Porretta (Villella), Eric Hipolito Jr. and Kiyon Gaines in the male corps

Diamonds: Carla Korbes, Laura Gilbreath, and Carrie Imler (Farrell) and Batkhurel Bold and Seth Orza (d'Amboise)

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Here's the press release:

“Simple and complex, thought-provoking and crowd-pleasing, deeply traditional and utterly modern, [an] affirmation of Balanchine’s genius.” – New York Times

SEATTLE, WA- Pacific Northwest Ballet raises the velvet curtain on its 2014-2015 season with George Balanchine’s Jewels ™. Costumed in emerald green, ruby red and luminous white, the trio of gems in Jewels pays tribute to golden ages of music and dance.Evoking the birthplace of Romantic ballet, Emeraldsgraceful clouds of tulle whisper French courtesy, fashion, and fragrance. A sassy, jazzy collaboration with composer Igor Stravinsky, Rubies mirrors the carefree spontaneity of America, Balanchine’s beloved adopted country. The splendor of Diamonds recalls the great choreographer’s heritage, so that “if the entre Imperial Russian inheritance of ballet were lost, Diamonds would still tell us of its essence” (Mary Clarke and Clement Crisp). Jewels runs from September 26 through October 5 at Seattle Center’s Marion Oliver McCaw Hall. Tickets and more information are available through the PNB Box Office, 301 Mercer Street at Seattle Center, 206.441.2424, or online at PNB.org.

ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE

Music:Gabriel Fauré, Igor Stravinsky, and Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Choreography: George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust
Staging: Elyse Borne
Costume Design: Karinska
Lighting Design: Mark Stanley
Premiere: April 13, 1967; New York City Ballet
PNB Premiere: June 1, 2006 (Rubies premiere: February 3, 1988)

Emeraldsis a romantic evocation of France, the birthplace of classical ballet. It is also Balanchine’s comment of the French school of dancing and its rich heritage. With a score by Gabriel Fauré and dancers dressed in Romantic-length tutus, Emeralds can also be a window on the nostalgia inherent in much late 19th-century art, with its idealized view of the Middle Ages, chivalry, and courtly love. Balanchine considered Emeralds “an evocation of France – the France of elegance, comfort, dress and perfume.”

Rubiesis considered the American jewel, with its Jazz Age score by Igor Stravinsky, stylized flapper costumes by Karinska, and Balanchine’s choreography in his sophisticated mode. A saucy leading couple plays and competes as equals, and a second, siren-like ballerina takes on the men of the corps de ballet, requiring all four of them to partner her at once.

Diamonds is Balanchine’s homage to his native St. Petersburg. Echoes of Petipa’s Swan Lake and Raymonda abound, and the centerpiece of the ballet is an intimate pas de deux, potent in its chivalrous reserve, for the ballerina and her cavalier. At its end, the entire cast joins the principal couple for a gloriously spirited polonaise.

PNB’s production of George Balanchine’s Jewels was made possible by Bob & Cynthia Benson and Peter & Peggy Horvitz. Media support for Jewels is provided by The Seattle Times and KOMO 4. Pacific Northwest Ballet’s 2014-2015 Season is proudly sponsored by ArtsFund and Microsoft Corporation.

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Part two of the press release:

SPECIAL EVENTS

JEWELS COACHING SERIES (Studio Presentations)
Diamonds, featuring Jacques d’Amboise: Wednesday, August 20, 5:30 pm
Emeralds, featuring Violette Verdy and Mimi Paul: Thursday, September 11, 5:30 pm
Rubies, featuring Edward Villella: Monday, September 22, 5:30 pm

PNB Artistic Director Peter Boal has invited the original interpreters of George Balanchine’s Jewels to coach PNB dancers for the Company’s revival of the 1967 masterpiece. Join these esteemed artists in the studio for a series of coaching sessions on the iconic roles Balanchine made for them.

FRIDAY PREVIEWS
Friday, September 19, 6:00pm
The Phelps Center, 301 Mercer Street, Seattle

Join us for an hour-long preview led by Artistic Director Peter Boal and PNB artistic staff, featuring PNB dancers rehearsing excerpts from Jewels.PNB’s popular Friday Previews offer an up-close view of the Company preparing to put dance on stage. Tickets are $12 each and may be purchased through the PNB Box Office. (These events usually sell out.) Friday Previews are sponsored by U.S. Bank.

BALLET PREVIEW — FREE
Tuesday, September 23, 12:00 noon
Central Seattle Public Library, 1000 Fourth Avenue, Seattle

Join PNB for a free lunch-hour preview lecture at the Central Seattle Public Library. Education Programs
Manager Doug Fullington will offer insights about Jewels, complete with video excerpts. FREE of charge.

PNB LECTURE SERIES & DRESS REHEARSAL
Thursday, September 25, 2014
6:00 pm Lecture, Nesholm Family Lecture Hall at McCaw Hall
7:00 pm Dress Rehearsal, McCaw Hall

Join Artistic Director Peter Boal and special guest Edward Villella during the hour preceding the dress rehearsal to discuss PNB’s production ofJewels. Attend the lecture only or stay for the dress rehearsal. Tickets ($12 lecture; $30 lecture and dress rehearsal) may be purchased through the PNB Box Office.

FIRST LOOK, PNB’s Opening Gala
Friday, September 26, 4:30 pm
McCaw Hall

Join PNB for the opening performance of its 2014-15 season with George Balanchine’s Jewels, featuring Emeralds, Rubies and Diamonds. Walk the emerald carpet at an exclusive cocktail party before being whisked backstage for an elegant black tie dinner. After the opening performance of Jewels, the party continues with a Rubies-inspired onstage after-party with music, entertainment, dancing, drinks, and desserts. Pre-performance dinner starts at $350 per guest (includes onstage after-party and valet parking). First Look after-party tickets start at $45 (performance tickets sold separately). HSBC is the Title Sponsor of First Look. Additional sponsors include The Boeing Company, Lane Powell, PJ Hummel & Co., and Seattle Met. To purchase tickets, contact Special Events at 206.441.2429 or events@PNB.org.

Pre-Performance Lectures

Join Education Programs Manager Doug Fullington for a 30-minute introduction to each performance, including discussions of choreography, music, history, design and the process of bringing Jewels to the stage. One hour before performances. FREE for ticketholders.

Post-Performance Q&A

Skip the post-show traffic and enjoy a Q&A with PNB Artistic Director Peter Boal and Company dancers, immediately following each performance in the Nesholm Family Lecture Hall at McCaw Hall. FREE for ticketholders.

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A recent email from PNB states, "PNB dancers Laura Tisserand and Karel Cruz, along with Peter Boal, traveled to Washington DC where Laura and Karel were coached by Suzanne Farrell in Diamonds. Laura, who first met Ms. Farrell as a 14-year-old ballet student, reflects on the experience on the PNB Blog. Read it here!"

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......Laura and Karel were coached by Suzanne Farrell in Diamonds

I wonder what Suzanne, or anyone else in the room, thought about Laura and Karel's height?? I'm pretty sure that they are the tallest male and female dancer in the entire PNB company.....and that's in a company known for its "tallness"! (I know Laura is; The only one who might be taller than Karel is Joshua Grant).

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I'm posting the press release in three parts. First, a celebration

With the opening of Jewels, Pacific Northwest Ballet kicks off a year-long celebration marking the 25th Anniversary of PNB’s renowned orchestra. Four programs during the 2014-15 season will feature specially-selected orchestral preludes selected by music director/principal conductor Emil de Cou. “Pacific Northwest Ballet’s orchestra has long been superior…and in Emil de Cou it probably has America’s finest ballet conductor.” (The New York Times)


PROGRAM NOTES
Orchestra Prelude (to Jewels)
Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Finale from “Tema con variazioni,” Orchestral Suite No. 3 in G, Op. 55

Running Time: Five minutes

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Part two:

September 26 & 27, October 2, 3, & 4 at 7:30pm

September 27 at 2:00pm

October 5 at 1:00pm


“[An] affirmation of Balanchine’s genius.” –
The New York Times


SEATTLE, WA
- Pacific Northwest Ballet sweeps onstage and into a spectacular new season arrayed in emerald green, ruby red, and luminous white. A triple-treat for both eyes and ears, the trio of gems in George Balanchine’s
Jewels
™ pay tribute to golden ages of music and dance:
Emeralds
’ graceful clouds of tulle whisper French fashion and fragrance;
Rubies
’ jazzy, sassy merger with Stravinsky mirrors the carefree candor of America; and Diamonds’ glittering splendor recalls the great choreographer’s heritage, so that “if the entire Imperial Russian inheritance of ballet were lost,
Diamonds
would still tell us of its essence” (Mary Clarke and Clement Crisp). Jewels runs from September 26 through October 5 at Seattle Center’s Marion Oliver McCaw Hall. Tickets and more information are available through the Pacific Northwest Ballet Box Office, 301 Mercer Street at Seattle Center, 206.441.2424, or online at PNB.org.


George Balanchine’s
Jewels

Music
: Gabriel Fauré, Igor Stravinsky, and Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Choreography
: George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust

Staging
: Elyse Borne


Emeralds

: Fauré (from Pelléas et Melisande, 1898, and Shylock, 1889)

Rubies
: Stravinsky (Capriccio for piano and orchestra, 1929)

Diamonds
: Tchaikovsky (Symphony No. 3 in D major, Op. 29, 1975, first movement omitted)


Running Time
:
Emeralds
: 31 minutes;
Rubies
: 22 minutes;
Diamonds
: 31 minutes


At its New York City Ballet premiere in 1967,
Jewels
was touted as the first “plotless full-length ballet.” The story goes that Balanchine was inspired to create the ballet after a visit to the New York jeweler Claude Arpels of Van Cleef and Arpels. While each of its three ballets may not follow any definitive narrative, like real gems themselves, each can be viewed in multiple ways and from a variety of angles. The great American dance critic, Arlene Croce, described Jewels as “unsurpassed as a Balanchine primer, incorporating in a single evening every important article of faith to which this choreographer subscribed and a burst of heresy, too.” Balanchine himself, in his typical noncommittal way, stated, “Of course, I have always liked jewels; after all, I am an Oriental, from Georgia in the Caucasus. I like the color of gems, the beauty of stones, and it was wonderful to see how our costume workshop, under Karinska’s direction, came so close to the quality of real stones (which were, of course, too heavy for the dancers to wear!).”


Emeralds
is a romantic evocation of France, the birthplace of classical ballet. It is also Balanchine’s comment of the French school of dancing and its rich heritage. With a score by Gabriel Fauré and dancers dressed in Romantic-length tutus,
Emeralds
can also be a window on the nostalgia inherent in much late 19th-century art, with its idealized view of the Middle Ages, chivalry, and courtly love. Balanchine considered Emeralds “an evocation of France – the France of elegance, comfort, dress and perfume.”


Rubies
is considered the American jewel, with its Jazz Age score by Igor Stravinsky, stylized flapper costumes by Karinska, and Balanchine choreography in his sophisticated mode. A saucy leading couple plays and competes as equals, and a second, siren-like ballerina takes on the men of the corps de ballet, requiring all four of them to partner her at once.


Diamonds
is Balanchine’s homage to his native St. Petersburg. Echoes of Petipa’s Swan Lake and Raymonda abound, and the centerpiece of the ballet is an intimate pas de deux, potent in its chivalrous reserve, for the ballerina and her cavalier. At its end, the entire cast joins the principal couple for a gloriously spirited polonaise.


TICKET INFORMATION & DISCOUNT OFFERS


Tickets ($28-$179 advance) may be purchased through the PNB Box Office:
  • Phone - 206.441.2424 (Mon.-Fri. 9am–6pm; Sat. 10am–5pm)
  • In Person - 301 Mercer Street, Seattle (Mon.-Fri. 10am–6pm; Sat. 10am–5pm)
  • Online - PNB.org (24/7)

Tickets are also available (subject to availability) 90 minutes prior to each performance at McCaw Hall, located at 321 Mercer Street at Seattle Center.


Pacific Northwest Ballet’s performances of
George Balanchine’s
Jewels
are made possible by Bob & Cynthia Benson and Peter & Peggy Horvitz, with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels, Neiman Marcus, and HSBC. Pacific Northwest Ballet’s 2014-2015 Season is proudly sponsored by ArtsFund and Microsoft Corporation.

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Part 3:

SPECIAL EVENTS

JEWELS LECTURE SERIES
The Phelps Center, 301 Mercer Street, Seattle

  • Diamonds, featuring Jacques d’Amboise: Wednesday, August 20, 5:30 pm (past)
  • Emeralds, featuring Violette Verdy and Mimi Paul: Thursday, September 11, 5:30 pm
  • Rubies, featuring Edward Villella: Monday, September 22, 5:30 pm

Join Pacific Northwest Ballet for a studio rehearsal and conversation with ballet legends and originators of roles in George Balanchine’s Emeralds, Rubies, and Diamonds including Jacques d’Amboise, Violette Verdy and Mimi Paul, and Edward Villella. Tickets are $25 for each event and can be purchased by calling the PNB Box Office at 206.441.2424, online at PNB.org or in person at the PNB Box Office at 301 Mercer Street. Space is limited.



FRIDAY PREVIEWS
Friday, September 19, 6:00pm
The Phelps Center, 301 Mercer Street, Seattle

Join us for an hour-long preview led by Artistic Director Peter Boal and PNB artistic staff, featuring PNB dancers rehearsing excerpts from Jewels. PNB’s popular Friday Previews offer an up-close view of the Company preparing to put dance on stage. Tickets are $12 each and may be purchased through the PNB Box Office. (These events usually sell out.) Friday Previews are sponsored by U.S. Bank.


BALLET PREVIEW — FREE
Tuesday, September 23, 12:00 noon
Central Seattle Public Library, 1000 Fourth Avenue, Seattle

Join PNB for a free lunch-hour preview lecture at the Central Seattle Public Library. Education Programs Manager Doug Fullington will offer insights about Jewels, complete with video excerpts. FREE of charge.

PNB LECTURE SERIES & DRESS REHEARSAL
Thursday, September 25, 2014
6:00 pm Lecture, Nesholm Family Lecture Hall at McCaw Hall
7:00 pm Dress Rehearsal, McCaw Hall

Join Artistic Director Peter Boal and special guest Edward Villella during the hour preceding the dress rehearsal to discuss PNB’s production of Jewels. Attend the lecture only or stay for the dress rehearsal. Tickets ($12 lecture; $30 lecture and dress rehearsal) may be purchased through the PNB Box Office.

FIRST LOOK, PNB’s Opening Gala After-Party
Friday, September 26
McCaw Hall

Celebrate PNB’s 2014 season opening, and salute the 25th Anniversary of the PNB Orchestra, with a glamorous onstage after-party. Join PNB backstage as we celebrate with a sumptuous dessert buffet, hosted bar, and DJ entertainment. First Look after-party tickets start at $45. (Performance tickets sold separately. The First Look pre-show gala is sold out.) HSBC is the Title Sponsor of First Look. Additional sponsors include The Boeing Company, Lane Powell, PJ Hummel & Co., and Seattle Met. To purchase tickets, contact Special Events at 206.441.2429 or events@pnb.org.



Pre-Performance Lectures
Nesholm Family Lecture Hall at McCaw Hall

Join Education Programs Manager Doug Fullington for a 30-minute introduction to each performance, including discussions of choreography, music, history, design and the process of bringing ballet to the stage. One hour before performances. FREE for ticketholders.

Post-Performance Q&A
Nesholm Family Lecture Hall at McCaw Hall

Skip the post-show traffic and enjoy a Q&A with Artistic Director Peter Boal and PNB dancers. Immediately following each performance. FREE for ticketholders.

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Thanks for the video, although it's kind of disconcerting to see clips from Emeralds and Rubies while listening to the score from Diamonds...

However, right before the end of this video is that moment from Diamonds that d'Amboise was apparently working on in his recent coaching session, where the ballerina (Korbes here) runs downstage to her partner and looks like she's 'diving' forward -- as I understand it from talking with colleagues, d'A was very specific about the sense of reaching forward here.

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d'Amboise was also specific about the timing: that the ballerina reached up and forward towards something, and then was flipped over.

The 2009 trailer used mostly different footage and the same casts, but set each section to music from that ballet. (There are some nice close-ups of Wevers.) The 2014 video is like the Dance in America vids, where the credits for all ballets in the video were set to one score.

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PNB posted a Throw Back Thursday video to Facebook yesterday from 2013, the 40th anniversary season, in which Carla Korbes talks about "Diamonds." In the video, she's first seen with Stanko Milov and then with Karel Cruz. From the coaching session with Jacques d'Amboise, she was partnered with Batkhurel Bold, and Cruz and Laura Tisserand went to DC for coaching with Suzanne Farrell, and the video references the stand-alone "Diamonds."

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152470860708952&permPage=1

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