Ballet Arizona: The Balanchine

May 3rd

• Admission35-170
• Time7:30 PM to 10:00 PM

George Balanchine, known as The Father of American Ballet, broke ground when he put his twist on traditional ballet standards and techniques. The Valley’s professional ballet company, Ballet Arizona, will present three ballets by Balanchine at Symphony Hall May 1 through 4th. With musical accompaniment from The Phoenix Symphony, Ballet Arizona will present Balanchine’s “Western Symphony,” “Scotch Symphony,” and “Walpurgisnacht.”

A stroking example of Balanchine’s fascination with American themes, “Western Symphony” is set on a rugged Old West street populated by cowboys and dance hall girls. A scenic escapade in the Scottish Highlands, “Scotch Symphony” features brisk footwork and a wistfully romantic pas de deux. This balletis set to Symphony No. 3, Op. 56, composed by Felix Mendelssohn. Twenty-four dancers soar in this brilliant, virtuosic dance of joyful revelry. “Walpurgisnacht” takes its inspiration from a traditional celebration the eve before May Day.