While Seattle sports fans are rallying around the Seahawks, ballet enthusiasts should be equally excited for the upcoming live broadcasts of the Royal Ballet coming to local theaters starting this Monday. As Britain’s largest ballet company and one of the foremost ballet institutions in the world, the Royal Ballet often tours internationally, but opportunities to see them live on the West coast are few and far between. With their live cinema broadcasts they will be beaming live performances straight from their home at the Royal Opera House in London’s Covent Garden to over 1,000 cinemas in 29 countries. The three ballets, all to be broadcast in one-night only screenings over the next three months, are about as classical as they get: Giselle, Swan Lake, and Sleeping Beauty. Performed by some of the greatest luminaries in classical ballet today, each program is an opportunity not to be missed. SeattleDances is happy to be partnering with Fathom Events to give away two pairs of tickets to each broadcast. Click the banner at the end of the article to enter to win!
Marianela Nuñez as Giselle and Rupert Pennefather as Albrecht in Giselle © ROH
Tristram Kenton 2011
Giselle
January 27, 2014 at 7:00PM
Perhaps the most beloved of the Romantic ballets, Giselle tells a story of betrayal, supernatural spirits, and love that transcends death. Here, the Royal Ballet pairs Principal Guest Artist Carlos Acosta as Count Albrecht with Principal Dancer Natalia Osipova in the title role. On the big screen together for the first time, the pair is sure to dazzle audiences. The Royal Ballet’s production uses Marius Petipa’s classic version (after the original choreography by Jules Perrot and Jean Coralli), first staged in St. Petersburg in 1884. Boris Gruzin conducts the Royal Opera House Orchestra. Additionally, former Royal Ballet Principal Darcey Bussell will be presenting Giselle on screen and will be interviewing key cast and production team members on the night of the broadcast. The Royal Ballet has also assembled a quick guide for ballet aficionados and newbies alike to brush up on Giselle beforehand.
Swan Lake
February 20, 2014 at 7:00 PM
Swan Lake was Pyotr Il’yich Tchaikovsky’s first score for ballet. The twinned role of the pure White Swan and the scheming, duplicitous Black Swan, performed by Principal Dancer Zenaida Yanowsky, tests the full range of a ballerina’s powers. Other highlights include American Nehemiah Kish dancing the role of Prince Siegfried, as well as the charming Dance of the Little Swans performed by a moonlit lake and sweeping ballroom waltzes in the splendor of the royal palace. Anthony Dowell’s romantic interpretation returns the ballet to its 1895 staging by using the choreography of Lev Ivanov and Marius Petipa.
Helen Crawford as the Lilac Fairy and artists of The Royal Ballet in The Sleeping Beauty
© Johan Persson/ROH 2009
The Sleeping Beauty
March 20, 2014 at 7:00 PM
A beloved fairytale, The Sleeping Beauty, is imbued with wonder and excitement in this sumptuous ballet. Exquisite costumes by Franca Squarciapino and spectacular sets by the celebrated Italian art director Ezio Frigerio provide a brilliant visual feast. The tale of an ill-fated princess, an enchanted sleep, and the magical power of a prince’s kiss is brought to life through Tchaikovsky’s incomparable score. The lead is danced by American dancer Sarah Lamb.
Each ballet will be showing at the following theaters: Southcenter 16, Lincoln Square Bellevue 16, Century Theatres Federal Way 16, Capital Mall 14, Thornton Place, Bella Botega 11 Cinema, Alderwood 7 Theaters with PRX, Bainbridge Cinemas, and Anacortes Cinemas. Tickets can be purchased here or follow the instructions below to enter to win a pair of tickets!
Enter to win tickets to THE SLEEPING BEAUTY on Thursday, March 20th at 7:00 PM by sending an e-mail with subject line THE SLEEPING BEAUTY to SEATTLE@43KIX.COM with your name and number.
Must enter by 12 PM on Wednesday, March 19th! Winners must arrive 10 minutes prior to redeem tickets at guest services for tickets to be valid. No purchase necessary. One entry per person. Winners will receive an email good for a pair of tickets by 3PM Thursday. Void where prohibited by law.
