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| TEXAS BALLET THEATER program |
The Travelling Toe and 3 Dear Friends attended the Sunday matinee performance of the Texas Ballet Theater at Bass Hall. There were two very different ballet presentations featured on the program.
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| ALEXEI RATMANSKY choreorgrapher |
The first presentation was "Seven Sonatas", with choreography by Alexei Ratmansky. The stage was very simply set with only a light blue background. A grand piano sat at the back of stage left with Sean Chen, winner of the 2013 Van Cliburn Piano Competition, at the keyboard. The Baroque style music, "Keyboard Sonatas" was composed by Domenico Scarlatti This was indeed a lovely ballet that was set to beautiful Baroque music resulting in an exciting and lovely production.
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| SEAN CHEN pianist |
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| DOMENICO SCARLATTI composer 1685-1757 |
After a short intermission, the second ballet took stage. This program was based on the life of Henry VIII and was choreographed by Carl Coomer, who is a member of the TBT ballet troupe. He has choreographed several short programs previously for the TBT, but this is his first long program. And it did not disappoint. The ballet was danced to recorded music which was "The Planets" composed by Gustav Holst.
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| CARL COOMER choreographer |
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| GUSTAV HOLST comoposer 1874-1934 |
"JUPITER" - represented Catherine of Aragon. Since she could not produce a male heir, Henry, who was already infatuated with Ann, divorced her against the orders of the Catholic Pope.
"MARS"- Henry VIII broke with the Catholic Church and named himself the head of the Church of England. Rebellion broke but Henry previlled and pursued his marriage to Anne
"URANUS" - this set reflected his marriage to and life with Anne Boleyn . However Anne could not produce a male heir either, so charges were brought up against her for infidelity and she was beheaded
"Venus" - after 11 days of mourning for Anne, Henry then married Jane Seymour. She was able to finally produce a long hoped for son but then Ann died shortly thereafter
"Neptune" - Henry was looking for another wife and received a picture of a beautiful woman, Anne of Cleves. He agreed to the marriage, but when she arrived she did not look like her picture at all so he divorced her (see even in old times online dating could be chancey)
"Mercury" - 49 year old Henry marries 19 year old Catherine Howard. Once again no male heir and she is beheaded for infidelity.
"Saturn" - Catherine Parr was Henry's last wife and took care of him as he laid dying on his bed.....but he was not alone...all those dead wives re-appeared in his dreams...no rest for the wicked
This was just an amazing ballet. All the dancers were excellent in their roles, plus the beautiful costumes and capativing stage settings created a remarkable presentation.
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| Henry VIII - Andre Silva Anne Boleyn - Carolyn Judson |
We all four agreed that the TBT had once again presented a wonderful and exciting program that we thoroughly enjoyed!
Texas Ballet Theater
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