The 17th season of Dance at The Music Center opens with a bang, with one of the most sought after companies performing one of the most sought after pieces from its repertoire: the Mariinsky Ballet and Mariinsky Orchestra joining forces to perform George Balanchine’s Jewels from October 24 to 27 at The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.
Choreographed by Balanchine in 1967, the three act Jewels is recognized as classical ballet’s first great leap into abstraction. As a dazzling showcase for the skill and majesty of its dancers, it has remained part of the company’s core repertoire, as well as a fan favorite.
Each of the ballet’s three acts is choreographed to music by a different composer, and each act has a distinct style, said to be paying homage to the three countries that were Balanchine’s home at various points in his life – France, the United States and Russia.
The first act Emeralds, representing France, is set to music from Gabriel Fauré’s Pelléas et Mélisande as well as Shylock and set in a medieval French forest, with dancers wear long, romantic tutus.
The second act Rubies is an energetic swordplay of music and choreography between Igor Stravinsky’s Capriccio for Piano and Orchestra, suggesting the jazzy, sporty, life-loving America.
The final act Diamonds features music from Peter Ilyitch Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 3 in D Major, and represents Russian Grand Imperial Classicism expressed through the strict rules of the St. Petersburg ballet.
Despite their disparities of composition and choreography styles, the three acts are unified and held together by their shared theme of jewels expressed through the stage decor as well as through the dancers’ dazzling costumes inlaid with the color of the featured gem.
Balanchine revolutionized classical ballet by taking the strict standards and techniques of the Imperial Ballet School and opening it up to other influences, creating his signature neoclassical style; as such, he is considered one of the most influential choreographers of the 20th century.
The ballet’s running time is approximately two hours, which includes two 20-minute intermissions. One hour prior to each performance, The Music Center hosts Dance Talks led by dance historian and author Elizabeth Kaye that help you understand Jewels better.
For more information and tickets, please visit https://www.musiccenter.org/mariinsky.