“The Firebird” Choreography by Elizabeth Wistrich, featuring Sumire Ito and Iago Breschi.Photo by J. Richters Photography
May 3, the City Ballet came to Escondido and all I can say Wow! Bravo!
What an extraordinary treat if you were lucky enough to attend one of their performances of a favorite work by George Balanchine “Who Cares” and the classic “Firebird” at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido.
I gave my wife an early Mother’s Day treat, and we attended Sunday’s matinee.
It was nothing sort of a transcendent performance of both dance pieces. Words like mesmerizing, fabulous, beautifully performed are still ringing in my head. When Brian Marsh, City Ballet president before the show told us we were in for some “amazing ballet,” I thought: “Sure all arts presidents say that.”
But he was right. City Ballet knocked it out of the park and Escondido is fortunate to have this company visit us.
Many moons ago I was immersed in ballet as an arts manager and the stories of Balanchine were that during the early rehearsals and creation of his choreography, the dancers might ad lib with a smile or cheeky pose or even sometimes a visitor walked into the rehearsal studio by accident and Balanchine choreographed all these little ad libs into his final work.
“Who Cares” is full of these little quips and gestures. The dancers of City Ballet carried it off immaculately. Most dancers today know that Balanchine pushed his dancers to the limit of their technical ability— and again the dancers of City Ballet stepped up and delivered.
The entire performance of “Who Cares” was fabulous.
Next was “The Firebird,” a wonderfully relevant magical work for our present day of a woman held back under the weight of a controlling society—and her transformation into a “Firebird.” With the help of her partner she breaks the chains holding her back and together they transcend into freedom.
Again, the entire company delivered an exceptional magical performance. I’d love to call out some of the soloists’ talent and beautiful art but really every single dancer on stage, the entire company performed at the highest expression of ballet’s art and skill.
Add the superb conducting and delivery of the live orchestra, the simple but beautifully conceived stage design and you simply have a perfect ten.
A personal mission in my service as president of Escondido Art Association is to encourage Escondido to recognize and appreciate the depth, richness and diversity of the arts and cultural environment, that we have right here in Escondido.
City Ballet performing here in Escondido is a great example. This was a very special gift to those of us who call Escondido home, let’s be sure they will visit us again. When they do, get your tickets early if you want to experience awe, delight and magic.