BALLET WEST EMBRACES SPANISH FLAIR WITH DON QUIXOTE (SLC: feb 10 - 18)

BALLET WEST EMBRACES SPANISH FLAIR WITH DON QUIXOTE
Utah premiere promises bull fighting, gypsies, comedy, romance and show-stopping dance

SALT LAKE CITY – January 19, 2012 – Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Ballet West presents one of the world’s most well-loved bravura ballets – Don Quixote, February 10, 11 and 14-18, 2012 at the Capitol Theatre. Set to joyous music by Ludwig Minkus, this production is based on the original 1869 version by Marius Petipa and is choreographed by internationally-renowned artist Anna-Marie Holmes, the first American dancer to train and dance in Soviet Russia.

“I’ve long admired Anna-Marie Holmes’s work and career,”  said Ballet West Artistic Director Adam Sklute. “It is an honor to bring her celebrated version of Don Quixote to Ballet West.”

Based on the epic masterpiece by Miguel de Cervantes, Anna-Marie Holmes’s Don Quixote takes audiences on the fun and fanciful adventures of the eccentric Man of La Mancha, the antics of village barber Basilio, and the passions of Basilio’s beautiful young lover Kitri.

“Don Quixote is one of the most entertaining and vibrant ballets performed today,” said Adam Sklute. “This production has everything – romance, humor, brilliant dancing, lavish sets and costumes, and a lively score.”

Don Quixote will be accompanied by the Utah Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Terence Kern, on February 10, 11 and 18 at 7:30 p.m., and at 2 p.m. on February 11 and 18. Jerry Steichen, Principal Pops Conductor for the Utah Symphony, will serve as guest conductor during the evening performances on February 14, 15, 16 and 17 at 7:30 p.m.

In conjunction with the performances of Don Quixote, Ballet West offers Warm Ups. These fun and informative discussions are free of charge to ticket holders and will begin promptly one hour prior to each presentation of Don Quixote. Get the inside scoop on the evening’s program including background on the ballet, information on the choreographer and other interesting behind-the-scenes facts. At Warm Ups, members of the Ballet West artistic staff are available to answer any questions that the audience might have.

Single tickets range from $19 to $75 and are available through ArtTix at www.arttix.org or by calling (801) 355-ARTS.   Discounts are also available for groups of 15 or more by calling Ballet West at (801) 869-6900.