What a stunning duo of ballets!
Lucy Green flames with brilliance as the Firebird. Her virtuosity and emotional power move today’s Brisbane audience just as Paris audiences in 1910 were moved by Stravinsky’s breakthrough work. Her contest with the evil Koschei (Jack Lister) in protection of Prince Ivan ( Camilo Ramos) gives a haunting, spiritual dimension to this atavistic dance. Prince Ivan survives to be united with his beloved Princess ( Lina Kim).
With a touch of irony, Camilo Ramos dances the role of Don Jose in “Carmen” where he kills the leading lady Carmen (Sophie Zoricic). Such is life and death in a dancing world.
Sophie Zoricic is spellbinding. As Carmen she exerts a seductive power over male factory workers, soldiers and and even the toreador Escamillo (danced with authority by Zhi Fang). Yet Zoricic captures also the vulnerability and pathos in this role. Her pas de deux with Don Jose as she extricates herself from the chains of jail is a case study in perfectly executed choreography.
“Carmen” is danced in a minimalist, symbolic set. It expresses itself not merely as regional Spain but as universal.
The Queensland Symphony Orchestra conducted by Nigel Gaynor performs the music of Igor Stravinsky and Georges Bizet with depth of feeling.
The Queensland Ballet has treated Brisbane audiences to two truly great short ballets of the highest international standard. In 1709 Alexander Pope wrote that the function of art is “to teach and to delight”. This night at the Ballet does just that.
The Firebird
Choreographer – Liam Scarlett
Composer – Igor Stravinsky
Conductor – Nigel Gaynor
Stager – Kalyan Boyadjiev
Set and Costume Designer – Jon Bausor
Lighting Designer – James Farncombe
Carmen
Choreographer- Carlos Acosta
Composer – Georges Bizet
Conductor- Nigel Gaynor
Musical arrangement and orchestration –
Martin Yates
Stager – Yaday Ponce
Set and Costume Designer – Tim Hartley
Lighting Designer – Peter Mumford
Performances 25 May – 3 June 2018
Running time – Two hours and thirty minutes with one twenty-five minute interval