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BALLET APPRECIATION 2012
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The Ballet Appreciation Group started in July 2011 and is split into two groups of 6-8 people for the purpose of comfortable seating.  The groups usually meet on the 1st Friday and 3rd Wednesday of the month.

Two taster sessions took place at the start (see the 2011 page) and both groups enjoyed the programmes presented.  The groups now see a whole range of ballets including Traditional, Modern and Contemporary performances by various worldwide ballet companies.

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The December and January meetings covered Christmas and New Year and as you would expect a touch of the occasion was added to the showings.  To get us all into the Christmas spirit a glass of Bucks Fizz or Fresh Orange together with mince pies was enjoyed whilst watching the Christmas presentation.

Meetings 9th & 21st December

1.    The Nutcracker - Performed by the Royal Ballet Co. and Presented by Deborah Bull.
One of the most popular ballets, with a story line to suit the festive season. The story of the ballet was based on the tale of the Nutcracker and the Mouse King originally by Hoffman and of course music by Tchaikovsky.  The scene is set; “The President and is wife are giving a Christmas party and with their guests are decorating the Christmas tree. The doors of the drawing room open and a group of children come in including Clara and Fritz, their son and daughter with a mysterious guest, which leads to a wonderful winter adventure for Clara and her Prince……. Somehow we never seem to tire of this lovely ballet.

2. Three Short Ballets from the 2009 New Years Day Concert
Every year the Vienna State Ballet Company present a concert of music and ballet danced to a selection of Strauss Waltzes. This is a selection from the 2009 performance.

Meetings 6th & 18th January

1.    Gala Performance in Red Square - Performed by the Kirov Ballet
The stars of the Kirov Ballet perform a selection of Pas De Deuxs from various ballets including: Le Corsaire, Giselle, Aniuta, the Firebird and many more.

2.    Tribute to Jerome Robbins - Performed by the Paris Opera Ballet
Two Ballets are performed “In the Night” and ”The Concert”, both featuring the music of Chopin.
Jerome Robbins who died in 1998 was an American theatre producer, director and choreographer known primarily for Broadway Theatre and Ballet/Dance, but occasionally directed films and also produced/directed for television. His work included everything from classical ballet to contemporary musical theatre. Among the numerous stage productions he worked on were; On the Town, Peter Pan, High Button Shoes, The Pyjama Game, West Side Story, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and many more.


The February and March meetings covered a mixed bag of documentary and classical ballet, with a touch of Strauss waltzes for good measure.

Meetings 3rd & 15th February

1.    Carlos Acosta - The Reluctant Ballet Dancer - Documentary.
The documentary covers the return of Carlos to his place of birth Havana Cuba, where he choreographed his own ballet entitled “Tocororo” with a story line based loosely on his own life experiences.
Carlos chose a 17-strong company of dancers from the Cuban National Ballet. The young Carlos is played by his younger nephew Yonah Acosta, aged thirteen at the time and who is now an established performer following in his uncle’s footsteps.

2.    Vienna State Ballet
Every year the Vienna State Ballet Company present a concert of music and ballet danced to a selection of Strauss Waltzes. This is a selection of extracts from the 2012 performance.

3.    Marcia Haydee’s Master Class – Performed by the Stuttgart Ballet Co.
This master class is a preview of the ballet “Giselle” which gives an insight to the fully performed ballet which is planned for the next meeting (see below).

Meetings 2nd & 21st March

1.    Giselle - Performed by the Dutch National Ballet Co.
Giselle is a ballet in two acts and takes place in the Rhineland of the middle ages. It is a love story ending in tragedy.
The role of Giselle is one of the most sought-after in ballet, as it demands both technical perfection and outstanding grace, 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 Giselle must seem otherworldly, yet loving.
Beautifully danced by both female and male principle dancers, hankies and tissues were brought out at the end of this very moving ballet but enjoyed by everyone.

Group Leader    Sheila Hall