Issue #43
Last Update December 24, 2005
ARTS The Miami City Ballet by David Katz The myth that the fine arts are restricted to our older large cities is nowhere better dispelled than in Miami. The Southeast coast of Florida is home to a number of very respectable museums, theaters, orchestras and dance companies. One of the best of these is the Miami City Ballet, which recently ended its 2003-2004 season.
Many regional ballet companies fall short of perfection, both in the training and rehearsal of the coprs, and in the selection of ballets they choose to perform. The Miami City Ballet has nothing to apologize for in either area. With Edward Villella as Founding Artistic Director, a New York tradition for precision, athleticism and grace has been instilled in this company. Mr. Villella, an internationally acclaimed soloist with the New York City Ballet who has also danced with the Royal Danish Ballet and the Bolshoi, accepted the Founding Artistic Directorship in Miami in 1985, and has used to the intervening years well to create a great corps and soloists and an unusually varied and exciting repertoire.
Program IV of the 2003-2004 season is a good example of why this company is well worth watching. The opening number, a Balanchine ballet to the music of Bizet's Symphony Number 1 in C major, was one of the most beautiful performances I have ever seen. A company premiere, the performance was worthy of the New York City Ballet on one of its better days. The precision of movement that distinguishes the great companies from the mediocre was very much in evidence; when ballerinas were supposed to move together they did, at the same time, at the same angles and with the same grace and beauty. The soloists and featured ballerinas on pointe and in the air were steady and accurate, danseurs partnered brilliantly, and the leaps and spins always ended in position, with no bobbling or extra recovery steps. Danseurs' (and ballerinas') leaps had the kind of “hang time” (to use a basketball phrase) that convinces the audience that these artists can defy gravity. This piece has been a signature work of Iliana Lopez and Franklin Gamero, and this was their last performance before before their retirement from the company at the end of the season. Next season, Miss Lopez will assume some of the duties of Ballet Mistress and will teach at the Miami City Ballet School. Based on the quality of their work shown at this performance, they will be missed.
A second premiere, Twyla Tharp's “Nine Sonata Songs”, was a very different, but no less successful, experience. Performed with the permission of Miss Tharp, and to her complete satisfaction, the Miami proved itself to be one of the few companies that can perform to modern ballads without classical stiffness.
The third item on the program was “Diamonds”, is section of a longer work, “Jewels”, and another Balanchine work, this one in the classical style of 19th Century Russia. It is set to Tchaikowsky's Symphony #3 in D major”.
The 2004-2005 opens October 29, 2004. They are one of the best companies in the nation. Go see them.
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