CITY BALLET of San Diego’s 25th Silver Anniversary Season Continues with the Beloved Classical Ballet “Giselle”

CITY BALLET OF SAN DIEGO continues its 25th season at its home theater, Spreckels Theatre, with one of ballet’s greatest love stories: “Giselle,” performed with full orchestra.

Performances are Friday, March 9 at 8:00 pm, Saturday, March 10 at 8:00 pm, and Sunday, March 11 at 2:00 pm, at Spreckels Theatre, 121 Broadway, downtown San Diego.

First presented by the Ballet du Théâtre de l’Académie Royale de Musique (Paris Opera Ballet) in Paris, France, on June 28, 1841, “Giselle” is the story of a peasant girl named Giselle who protects her lover from the vengeance of a group of evil female spirits, called the Wilis, the libretto is by Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges and Théophile Gautier, with music by Adolphe Adam, and original choreography by Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot. In City Ballet’s production, the choreography is by Elizabeth Wistrich after Marius Petipa’s 1884 revival for the Imperial Ballet (today known as the Kirov/Maryinsky Ballet).

The title role of Giselle is one of the most sought-after in ballet, demanding both technical perfection and outstanding grace and lyricism, as well as great dramatic skill. In the first act, Giselle has to convey the innocence and love of a country girl, and the heartbreak of being betrayed. In the second act she must seem otherworldly, yet loving. Some of the most accomplished dancers to perform this role include Anna Pavlova, Margot Fonteyn, and Gelsey Kirkland. In City Ballet’s production, the role of Giselle will be shared by Ariana Gonzalez and Sumire Ito.

Live musical accompaniment will be provided by the City Ballet Orchestra under the leadership of John Nettles, and costumes and scenery are courtesy of Sacramento Ballet.

Approximate Run Time:  2 hours, with one 15-minute intermission
(All programs are subject to change without notice.)
Programming, musical selections, and artists are subject to change without notice.

PERFORMANCES
Friday, March 9 at 8:00pm
Saturday, March 10 at 8:00pm
Sunday, March 11 at 2:00pm

VENUE
Spreckels Theatre
121 Broadway, Downtown San Diego

TICKETS
Tickets are $30-$85. Students, Seniors and Military can purchase discounted tickets of $5 off regular price.
Purchase online at: www.cityballet.org or through Ticketmaster

PRE-CONCERT LECTURES
Prior to each performance is a free pre-concert lecture for ticket holders with Artistic Director Steven Wistrich.

Tickets and information: (858) 272-8663
www.cityballet.org

ABOUT CITY BALLET

Heralded by critics as “a top-tier dance company” and “an oasis of classical dance in a city otherwise too often a desert”, City Ballet is San Diego’s world-class professional ballet company, now celebrating its 24th season under the direction of former Boston Ballet and Stuttgart Ballet dancers, Steven and Elizabeth Wistrich. City Ballet is a non-profit organization committed to furthering the ballet art form. The company produces classic and contemporary ballet programs that critics rave as “polished, eye-catching and delightful,” and “highly entertaining and professional”. International dance critic Sheila Orysiek wrote, “San Diego finally has a classical ballet company that is worthy of the name”. The company is best known for performing works by George Balanchine, founding artistic director of New York City Ballet. City Ballet is one of a few ballet companies to receive permission from The George Balanchine Trust in New York City to perform his ballets. The George Balanchine Trust grants such permission only to those ballet companies it judges artistically competent to perform Balanchine’s masterworks.

Unsurpassed training programs for children and pre-professionals are offered at City Ballet School, the official school of the City Ballet Company, whose alumnae dance with companies including American Ballet Theatre, Pittsburgh Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Texas Ballet Theater and The Joffrey Ballet. City Ballet’s innovative education programs range from arts outreach to inner-city children, to bringing the world’s best ballet instructors to San Diego. City Ballet is partially funded by the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture, the County of San Diego, Mandell Weiss Charitable Trust, Qualcomm, US Bank, Robert Half International and generous donors.