As we leap into our 38th season, it is a time for reflection and innovation. 2023/24 marks the 40th anniversary of the death of George Balanchine, who was not only the cornerstone of modern American ballet but also a teacher, mentor, and an inspiration to generations of dancers and choreographers. It is not an overreach to say that without Balanchine, there would be no Miami City Ballet.
To honor the legacy of Balanchine, and mark the privileged role we have in the stewardship of his work, we have curated this season to invite you on a journey through a century of ballet. Each mixed program is anchored by a cherished classic from the Balanchine canon, and builds upon that foundation through next generation masterworks and world premieres from today’s youngest voices in dance.
The season opens with Serenade, the first original ballet George Balanchine created in the United States in 1934. The program is joined by Twyla Tharp’s “fierce, driving, and relentless” In the Upper Room, and the world premiere of Sea Change from Bessie Award winning artist, Miami’s very own Jamar Roberts.
The winter season begins with everyone’s favorite festive tradition, George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® spreading holiday joy with our distinct Miami twist. Quickly following is our second mixed program, Winter Mix, which showcases two world premieres from Miami natives Margarita Armas and Durante Verzola. Alongside these new works are masterpieces from their predecessors – Alexei Ratmansky’s Concerto DSCH, and a reimagined production of Robbins’s and Balanchine’s Firebird – the only production of this version to exist outside of New York City Ballet.
The great works of Balanchine continue as a throughline for the season into the spring, in a triple bill that includes Balanchine’s 1957 tour de force Agon, Alonzo King’s Following the Subtle Current Upstream, and the final world premiere of the season, a new work from Brazilian-born choreographer Ricardo Amarante that is sure to “Delight” us all.
And finally, we bring you Swan Lake, lovingly reconstructed by Alexei Ratmansky, delivering a striking display of over fifty of our impeccable dancers breathing new life into an enchanting classic.
What’s more, all of these incredible works are performed to the glistening sounds of our live Miami City Ballet Orchestra.
We are so grateful to you, our audiences, for being here with us as we continue to honor our history and uplift new voices. The future of dance is nothing without you.
With love,
FIREBIRD
Choreography by Jerome Robbins and George Balanchine
Music by Igor Stravinsky*
Creative Director Wendall K. Harrington
Sets and Costumes Design by Anya Klepikov
Lighting Design by James F. Ingalls
Scenic Supervision by Michael Best
Projection Programming by Paul Vershbow
Set and Costume Assistants Christina Beam, Calypso Michelet and Sean Sanford
Lighting Assistant Brandon Stirling Baker
Costume Construction by Coco DuPont, Euro Co Costumes, Inc., Rodney Gordon, Inc., Marian Jean Hose, Inc., Arnold Levine, Parsons-Meares, LTD., Tricorne, Inc., James Weeden, Eric Winterling, Inc., Miami City Ballet Costume Shop
Alive with color, excitement, and spectacular effects, Firebird is a fantastical and thrilling fairy tale about magic, love, danger and liberation. Prince Ivan, a young hunter, strays into a mystical forest where he encounters the exotic, immortal Firebird who gives him an enchanted feather that will summon her when he is in dire need. When Ivan falls in love with a beautiful Princess who is under the spell of the evil sorcerer Kostchei, he calls the Firebird, and the battle between good and evil is joined…
The original production, with its ravishing score by the young Igor Stravinsky, was the great sensation of Diaghilev’s 1910 Ballets Russes season, and Balanchine’s 1949 version — which he created for his wife, Maria Tallchief — was New York City Ballet’s first great success. It is that version, later amplified by Jerome Robbins, that MCB is now presenting, with ravishing new costume and scenic designs by, Anya Klepikov and projections by Wendall Harrington, all under the personal supervision of Lourdes Lopez, who danced the Firebird at NYCB for many years. “I grew up in this ballet,” she says. “I was a super, monster, princess, and then the Firebird.”
Now Firebird is reborn yet again, to thrill a new generation of lovers of fairy tales... and of ballet.
Miami City Ballet Premiere on February 14, 2020 at the Adrienne Arsht Center for Performing Arts; Miami, Florida.
* Igor Stravinsky THE FIREBIRD, Suite from the Ballet, 1945 version
Used by arrangement with European American Music Distributors Company, U.S. and Canadian agent for MCA/Universal Music Publishing Group, publisher and copyright owner.
ANÁLOGO
Choreography by Margarita Armas
Music by Nina Simone, Aukai, Miss Meadow
Costume Design by Spiridonakou
Lighting Design by Mark Stanley
Forest Scene by Aukai
By arrangement with Manners McDade Music Publishing Ltd
You’d Be So Nice To Come To
Written by Cole Porter
Chappell & Co. Inc. (Ascap)
All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.
Tones of Longing by Miss Meadow
Written by Daniel Jarl
By arrangement with Silent Beat Records
PAGANINI, IN PLAY
Choreography by Durante Verzola
Music by Niccolò Paganini
Costume Design by Martha Chamberlain
Lighting Design by Mark Stanley
PAGANINI, In Play is Durante Verzola's fourth work for Miami City Ballet. Verzola has taken inspiration from the virtuosity, passion, elegance, power, romance, and whimsy of the music.
Verzola has chosen selections from two Paganini string quartets, String Quartet No. 3 in A Minor (composed 1815-18) and String Quartet No. 2 in E-Flat Major (composed 1815). Both pieces of music show Paganini's mastery of the string instruments and range in making music. The string quartet musicians are present on stage to serve as a reminder of where the life force and impetus for the ballet comes from. As the dancers progress through lush movement and technically challenging steps, Verzola hopes to demonstrate the playfulness between themselves and the musicians, themselves and the music, the instruments, as well as with one another.
Martha Chamberlain's original costumes add to the richness and regality of the work. As a graduate of Miami City Ballet School, and a current faculty member, Verzola knows the unique dynamism and energy of the MCB dancers. He hopes to show these qualities in a pure dance work full of life and vitality.
CONCERTO DSCH
Choreography by Alexei Ratmansky
Music by Dmitri Shostakovich*
Staged by Amar Ramasar
Costume Design by Holly Hynes
Lighting Design by Mark Stanley
Having premiered two recent major ballets by Alexei Ratmansky, the world’s leading classical choreographer – Symphonic Dances and The Fairy’s Kiss – MCB now presents one of his most acclaimed earlier works. Concerto DSCH (the initials reflect the German spelling of Dmitri Shostakovich, its composer) is a seething rush of energy, lyricism, and brilliant classical invention overlain with a contemporary sparkle and bounce. At its premiere in 2008, Alastair Macaulay wrote in The New York Times: “Its dances pour forth in a continuous stream of galvanizing excitement and affectionate intimacy...The most captivating classical ballet I have seen in years.”
Miami City Ballet Premiere: April 6, 2018 at Kravis Center; West Palm Beach, FL.
*Concerto for Piano No. 2, Op. 102 in F major by Dmitri Shostakovich presented under license from G. Schirmer Inc. and Associated Music Publishers, copyright owners.
Artistic Director Lourdes Lopez
Executive Director Juan José Escalante
Chair, Board of Trustees Jeff Davis
Founder Toby Lerner Ansin
Founding Artistic Director Edward Villella
Production and Lighting Director John D. Hall
Principal Conductor Gary Sheldon
Principal Rehearsal Director Roma Sosenko
Rehearsal Directors Joan Latham, Arnold Quintane, Tricia Albertson
Company Pianist Francisco Rennó
* indicates Miami City Ballet School Alumni
Artistic Director: Lourdes Lopez
Executive Director: Juan José Escalante
Chairman of the Board of Directors & Trustees: Jeff Davis
Board Liaison & Executive Assistant: Leslie Ann Reams
ARTISTIC
Artistic Operations & Strategic Initiatives: Kiera O'Rourke
Company Manager: Jessica Perez
Principal Rehearsal Director: Roma Sosenko
Rehearsal Directors: Joan Latham, Arnold Quintane, and Tricia Albertson
Company Pianist: Francisco Rennó
Music Director and Principal Conductor: Gary Sheldon
PRODUCTION AND WARDROBE
Director of Production and Lighting: John D. Hall
Production Stage Manager: Kelly Brown
Assistant Stage Manager: Lauren Wickett
Sound Engineer: Sean M. Deceunick
Head Carpenter: Brian Harris
Properties Master: Marc Stoudt
Head Electrician: Shane Cassidy
Assistant Electrician: Nicanor Smith
Projection Operator: Steve Covey
In Memorium: Richard Carter
Wardrobe Manager: Carrie Cabrera
Wardrobe Master: Ricardo "Pico" Asturias
School Wardrobe Mistress: Ibis Hernandez
Wardrobe Mistress: Jennifer Conrad
Shoe Inventory Assistant: Christie Scitturo
Seamstress/Seamster: Julia Villalobos, Alberto Fages
Makeup Artist: Ellen Dawson
DEVELOPMENT
Senior Director of Development: Dena Liston
Senior Director, Major Gifts: Orene Tross-Harris
Director of Special Events: Heather Rush
Director of Foundation and Government Relations: Michele Scanlan
Manager of Foundation and Government Relations: Lee Eachus
Associate Director of Corporate Giving: Matt Williams
Associate Director of Individual Giving- Palm Beach: Samantha Hurwitch
Associate Director of Development Services: Carlos Collins
Special Events Manager: Somers Killian
Donor Relations Coordinator: Manon Maher
Executive Assistant: Adisa T. Murphy
MARKETING
Chief Marketing Officer: Chantell Ghosh
Marketing & Customer Relations Consultant: Mary Landreth
Director of Marketing, Communications and Content: Anne Mortomore
Director of Audience and Ticketing Services: Joshua Wickard
Marketing Services Manager: Ali Castro
Graphic Designer: Mina Rhee
Public Relations and Events Marketing Coordinator: Masha Enriquez
Digital Marketing Coordinator: Eden Cohen
Supervisor, Audience, and Ticketing Services: Katharine Baines
Associate Coordinator, Audience Services and Ticketing: Leyda Castro
Audience Services Representatives: Michael Tilis, Randy Fumero. Alison Loases, Jennifer Parra, and Joas Cerutti
General Press Representation: Billy Zavelson/Richard Kornberg & Associates
Marketing & Customer Relations Consultant: Nicole Wetzell
Creative Direction Consultant: Ron Roberts
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Director of Community Engagement: Brenda Alba
Community Engagement Programs Manager: Theresa Z. Perry
Community Dance Education Programs Manager: Norma Fuisting
Arts in Education Program
Teaching Artists: Vanya Allen, Meredith Barton, Stephanie Fuentes, Jennifer Puig, Kelly Robotham
Community Engagement Program Assistants: Merle Inasi, Iman Clark, Noeli Morejon
FINANCE AND OPERATIONS
Director of Finance: Ainsworth Geddes
Payroll Manager: Marisa Rios-Lopez
Senior Accountant: Carlos Lopez
Senior Director of Human Resources: Lina Aguirre
Human Resources Assistant and Office Manager: Joy Stanfield
MIAMI CITY BALLET SCHOOL
Chair: Lourdes Lopez
School Artistic Director: Arantxa Ochoa
School Operations Manager: Jessica Bork
School Programs Manager: Amanda Rodriguez
School Administrative Assistant: Giana Ruffa
Housing Manager: Pebbles Rainford
Principal Faculty: Leslie Young Cheng, Alexander Iziliaev, Claudia Kuwana, Claudia Lezcano, Rosa Mercedes, Michaela Mann, Maribel Modrono, Fabian Morales, Kareen Pauld Camargo, Herman Payne, Renato Penteado , Granaina Rondena (La Merche), Rilanty Septiantari, Durante Verzola
Pianists: Marianela Castro, Juvenal Correa-Salas, Gladys Fariñas, Vivian Gonzalez, Yraima Menendez, Teresa Valdivia
PROFESSIONAL CONSULTANTS
Employment and Labor Law: Lisa Berg, Esq. — Stearns Weaver Miller, et al, P.A.
Immigration Law: Glenn Rissman, Esq. — Stearns Weaver Miller, et al, P.A.
Auditor: Robbins and Moroney, P.A.
MEDICAL PROVIDERS
Director of Artistic Health: Alejandro Piris Niño, PT, DPT
Company Physician: Kathleen L. Davenport, MD
Foot and Ankle Orthopedic Specialist: Steven David Steinlauf, MD
Massage Therapist: Alexis Somoano LMT, Jill Davison, LMT
Part-Time Physical Therapists: Audrey Lugo PT, DPT, CSCS, and Bethany Cook, PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS
Strength and Conditioning: Chase Swatosh
Nutritionist: Maria Vallasciani MS, RD, LD/N, RN, CNSC, IBCLC
Mental Health: Dr. Scott Leydig, Psy.D.
Jeffrey Davis, Board Chair
Charles Adelman
Jill E. Braufman
Veronica de Zayas
Margaret Eidson
Juan José Escalante
Robert Friezo
Kathy Guttman
Bruce Halpryn
Alina Hudak
Kristi Jernigan
Mamie Joeveer
Susan Kronick
Allen London
Lourdes Lopez
Manny Marquez
Lisa Kott Massirman
Eleanor Pao
Saul Sanders, Treasurer
Michael Schultz
John Vogelstein
Sara Minskoff Allan
Madeline Anbinder
Stephen Anbinder
Toby Lerner Ansin, Founder
Robert Chaskes
Lester Coney
Neil Devlin
Jim Freeze
Sheila O’Malley Fuchs
Dini Albert Golden
Janine Gordon
Francinelee Hand
Pearl Johnson
Elissa Kramer
Karen Krause
Rhoda Levitt*
Eve Rounds
Sara Solomon
Suzy Wahba
Gail Wasserman
Holly Wright
Diana S.C. Zeydel
* Trustees Emeriti
Major funding for Miami City Ballet provided by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the Ford Foundation, and the Arison Arts Foundation. Miami-Dade County support provided by the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners. Support for Miami City Ballet in the Palm Beaches generously sponsored in part by the Board of County Commissioners, the Tourist Development Council and the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County. Sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Made possible with support from the Broward County Cultural Division. Broward County performances supported by Funding Arts Broward, supporting innovative local visual and performing arts in Broward County.
Miami City Ballet is grateful to Baptist Health, the official healthcare partner for our company dancers.