MANASSAS BALLET THEATRE
PRESENTS A SPRING WARM-UP WITH
CARMINA BURANA AND MORE!
Usher in spring with Manassas Ballet Theatre, Manassas Ballet Theatre Orchestra, and Voce Chamber Singersas they present CarminaBurana and More! Enjoy an evening of contemporary and classical ballet with Northern Virginia’s largest professional ballet company, featuring an international roster of dancers and live musical accompaniment. The performances take place at the Hylton Performing Arts Center, one of the top university theaters in the country, on Friday and Saturday, March 10-11, 7:30pm, and Sunday, 3:00pm.
The program begins with the classical works of Grand Pas Classique and excerpts from Coppelia. These traditional pieces are followed by the contemporary balletCarminaBurana,based on a bawdy collection of medieval poetry about all the usuals – love, lust, and money – with a score by Carl Orff and accompaniment by the Voce Chamber Singers, featuring soloists Allison Mondel (soprano), Richard Giarusso (baritone), andreturning guest vocalist Mark Luna (tenor). “These performances are perfect for the avid ballet lover, or even the inexperienced newcomer,” says artistic director Amy Grant Wolfe. “Since the production is a mixture of classical ballet and contemporary, there’s a little bit of something for everyone.”
Of note, company member and choreographer Alessia Astro is leading the work on Carmina, her first repertoire piece for MBT. “I have debuted original work with the company,” says Alessia, a native of Italy. “To be asked to choreograph Carmina Burana for MBT is a great honor; I am grateful and energized!” Company choreographer, ballet master and dancer Vadim Slatvitskiy will handle choreography duties for both Grand Pas Classique and Coppelia.
"The Voce Chamber Singers are thrilled to join forces with Manassas Ballet Theatreer for these performances of Orff's CarminaBurana,” says artistic director Richard Giarusso. “We are always pleased to build new relationships with our colleagues in northern Virginia, and the upcoming performances at the Hylton Center promise to be a highlight of our 2016-17 season.”
Tickets start at $15 and are available at and (888) 945-2468. For tickets, ticket discounts (including discounts for Prince William County/Manassas City employees and teachers) and information, please visit or call the studio at (703) 257-1811.
ABOUT MANASSAS BALLET THEATRE
Manassas Ballet Theatre is a 501c(3) nonprofit corporationfounded in 1983. Our mission is to enhance the quality of life in Northern Virginia by providingaccessible, affordable professional ballet performances, educationaloutreach to the community, and the highestcaliber of training to students of all levels at the affiliatedschool,Manassas Ballet Academy. MBT is funded in part by the National Endowment For the Arts, the Virginia Commission of the Arts, Prince William County and the City of Manassas, and is the resident ballet company at the Hylton Performing Arts Center on the Manassas campus of George Mason University.
ABOUT VOCE CHAMBER SINGERS
C.J. Capen, keyboard artist; Richard Giarusso, artistic director
Hailed by The Washington Post as “Northern Virginia’s premier choral ensemble,” the Voce Chamber Singers are known throughout the DC metropolitan area for dynamic programming and high standards of musical excellence. The ensemble is comprised of music professionals and experienced singers from surrounding communities, and our theirour performances seek to share the transformative power of great choral music with audiences throughout ourtheour region. Founded in 1989 by Carol Hunter, the group is now under the direction of Dr. Richard Giarusso, an enterprising musical leader with an active career as a conductor, singer, and scholar in the DC area and beyond.Voce has gained national recognition for its commitment to commissioning new works by leading American composers.
PRESS INFORMATION:
Beth Luna, WordFarm Communications
, (202) 802-7490
# # #