In Oregon Ballet Theatre’s production of OBT 25, a section of the program was titled “Love X3” and highlighted choreographers who have most influenced the company. The performance of the Seguidilla pas de deux from Carmen, celebrates the era and choreographic influence of former Artistic Director Christopher Stowell. Mr. Stowell, the son of Pacific Northwest Ballet’s… Read More
Looking Deeper – Robust American Love
OBT 25 included an enticing selection of duets from the three choreographers who have most shaped Oregon Ballet Theatre over the past 25 years. This section, titled “Love X3” is made up of the most gripping excerpts of some of Portland’s favorites. This collection of choreographers opens with the work of Trey McIntyre, OBT’s Resident… Read More
The Grass is Not Always Greener: The Story of the Prodigal Son
The story of the ballet is taken from the Biblical parable and transplanted to Russian soil. Boris Kochno, Diaghilev’s secretary and librettist, took certain liberties to heighten the themes of sin and forgiveness: two attentive sisters were substituted for the obedient son of the original story; how the Prodigal Son “wasted his substance with riotous living” was brought to the forefront by placing it in the present tense; and the story ends with the Son’s return to a grave patriarch (not the celebratory father in the original). Read More
The Creation of an Enthralling Monument of 20th Century Art
Celebrating Balanchine is a spine-tingling program for me because I’m elated that OBT is adding Prodigal Son to our repertoire. Even though I’ve known the basic story all my life, and studied the ballet for years on video, the night I first saw it live in the theater will always be a highlight for this… Read More
The Music Man
George Balanchine was an accomplished musician. In addition to his ballet training he studied piano, music theory, composition and harmony. He loved and respected music. Therefore, it stands to reason that Balanchine’s relationship to his music and especially the composers he worked with is so often written about. Read More
