Iowa’s premiere orchestra and only professional ballet kick off Stravinsky series

• Saturday, April 5, 7:30 p.m., Cedar Rapids Paramount Theatre
• Sunday, April 6, 2:30 p.m., Cedar Rapids Paramount Theatre

Through continued partnership, Orchestra Iowa and Ballet Quad Cities present The Rite of Spring on Saturday, April 5 at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, April 6 at 2:30 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids.

This partnership has received funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and GreatAmerica Financial Services to present a three-part series of Stravinsky ballets, a rare offering in today’s world of budget cuts to professional performing arts organizations. “The opportunity for audiences to experience ballet with live orchestra is something special and it provides for a much more personal aesthetic,” according to Orchestra Iowa’s music director, Timothy Hankewich.

The iconic Rite of Spring ballet will be first in the Orchestra Iowa-Ballet Quad Cities Stravinksy series. One of the most riveting and influential compositions of the 20th century, this work is driven by robust rhythms and generally complex music. Famous for its revolutionary portrayals of springtime rituals, this piece infamously sparked a riot at its premier in 1913 and has been a creative catalyst ever since.

Adding to the caliber of excellence is a work of original choreography set to Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring by Israeli ballet master, Elie Lazar. Mr. Lazar’s work, entitled Tehilah, will be an experience of emotionally charged brilliance based on a short story by Shmuel Yosef Agnon. Mr. Lazar has won critical acclaim from both reviewers and audiences worldwide for his work and this much-anticipated debut will be a highlight of the production.

Tickets for the performance range in price from $19-$49. Student, youth and group discounts are available. Tickets may be purchased through the Orchestra Iowa Ticket Office at 319.366.8203 or in person at 119 Third Avenue SE, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., and Saturday 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Tickets may be purchased any time online at orchestraiowa.org.

Program

Tehilah

Music by Aaron Copland (Appalachian Spring)
Choreography by Elie Lazar
Based on a short story by Shmuel Yosef Agnon

Rite of Spring

Music by Igor Stravinsky (The Rite of Spring)
Choreography by Courtney Lyon

Orchestra Iowa

Founded in 1921, Orchestra Iowa is widely recognized as the state’s premier symphony orchestra. The Orchestra’s mission is to foster enjoyment of, and support for fine symphonic music through quality performances, education and community involvement. Under the direction of Timothy Hankewich, now celebrating his eighth season as Music Director, its 68 professional musicians perform more than 150 public performances throughout the year, many of which can be heard on Iowa Public Radio and seen on Iowa Public Television. Orchestra Iowa showcases its artistic excellence each season through an accomplished array of classical, ballet, opera, popular and chamber performances, in addition to extensive community education and involvement.

Ballet Quad Cities

Founded in 1996 by Executive Director Joedy Cook and a dedicated Board of Directors, Ballet Quad Cities is now celebrating its 17th anniversary throughout the 2013/14 Season. Way back in 1996, the company began with one paid dancer and a young, talented Artistic Director, Johanne Jakhelln. Before returning to her native country of Norway in 2005, Johanne created over 40 original ballets. Today’s versatile company consists of eleven highly trained full time professional dancers led by Artistic Director Courtney Lyon

Ballet Quad Cities provides both classical and contemporary dance to the entire bi-state region through outstanding performances, entertaining lecture-demonstrations and innovative educational outreach programs for people of all ages. – See more at: http://www.orchestraiowa.org/News/20140325/164/Orchestra-Iowa-and-Ballet-Quad-Cities-present-Rite-of-Spring.aspx#sthash.8KH1KTIT.dpuf