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Poster for “Jewels”, presented by the National Ballet of Korea (KNB) |
The state ballet company will take the stage with the 1967 ballet for the first time at the Seoul Arts Center from October 20 to 24. Ballet legend Balanchine, known for his neoclassical style, created the work for the New York City Ballet of which he was artistic director, inspired by the artistry of luxury jewelry house Van Cleef & Arpels.
The three acts of the plotless ballet depict the beauty of emeralds, rubies and diamonds, to music by Faure, Stravinsky and Tchaikovsky, respectively.
The first act, performed with Faure’s “Pelleas et Melisande” and “Shylock”, depicts the beauty of emeralds in 19th century French romantic ballet. The ballet dancers are dressed in green tutus, resembling the sparkle of emeralds.
In the second act, pianists Cho Jae-hyuck and Kim Young-ho will join the Korean Symphony Orchestra in a performance of Stravinsky’s Capriccio for Piano and Orchestra. According to the George Balanchine Trust, the choreography for the ruby act is “sharp and witty”.
The third and final act about diamonds is inspired by the Royal Russian Ballet, the Order and Grandeur of Imperial Russia, and the Mariinsky Theater, where Balanchine was trained.
KNB principal dancers Kim Li-hoe, Park Jong-seok, Park Seul-ki, Heo Seo-myeong and Park Ye-eun will take the stage.
By Im Eun-byel (silverstar@heraldcorp.com)
