Oberon's Glade

Tag: West Hartford

  • Bianca Berini: Encores

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    In 1983, mezzo-soprano Bianca Berini (above) gave a recital at a church in West Hartford, Connecticut, with Dan Saunders at the piano. Berini was a great favorite of mine, an old-style Italian mezzo with an intense, chest-based voice. During the program, she sang several operatic arias from works by Donizetti, Verdi; and Saint-Saens. The audience responded with mad enthusiasm. For her encores, Berini brought forth more lyrical pieces, including a beautifully intimate Venetian lullabye.

    Bianca Berini – O mio babbino caro – W Hartford CT 1983

    Bianca Berini – Venetian Lullabye – W Hartford CT 1983

  • Roman Baca’s NUTCRACKER Rehearsal

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    Saturday October 23, 2010 – Kokyat and I went to watch choreographer Roman Baca working on his upcoming new production of THE NUTCRACKER for Ballet Theatre Company’s annual performances at St. Joseph’s College in West Hartford, Connecticut. A USMC veteran of the Iraq war, Roman presents the ballet as A Soldier’s Nutcracker. Above, Paige Grimard leading the Waltz of the Flowers.

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    Taylor Gordon would normally be dancing in this NUTCRACKER but following surgery (from which she’s well on her way to recovery) she is serving as ballet mistress for the production. Most of the divertissement pieces are double-cast giving the dancers expanded opportunities.

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    How many dozens of times have choreographers tackled the NUTCRACKER since Balanchine put it on the map? I really like what Roman is doing with it: very classical in feel but steering clear of the ideas we’ve seen in other settings. For example, his Harlequin (Michael Wright, above)…

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    …and Columbine (Hope Kroog) do not dance together: they each have a solo in turn.

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    Roman’s Arabian is probably my favorite from among the set pieces I’ve seen so far for this production: Roman creates a very sensuous and demanding pas de deux. Above: Kimberly Gianelli and Kendahl Ferguson.

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    Arabian (and many other roles in the production) are double-cast. Above: Michael Wright, Jessica Freitas.

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    Spanish is a trio: a man and two women. Above: Adrienne Cousineau, Michael Wright and Crystal Danzer ready to start. Marzipan is another trio, all girls in this case. And there are two alternating Dewdrops for the Waltz of the Flowers...

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    …Mayo Kurokawa…

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    …and Paige Grimard.

    Thru being over-played 24/7 from Thanksgiving til New Year, the music of the NUTCRACKER makes some people nauseous. Me? I love it still and most especially the Waltz of the Flowers – melodies that tug at the heartstrings try as we may to withstand their charms.

    The pure dance numbers are being rehearsed here in NYC and the party scene and all the story work are being done up in Connecticut meaning that Roman is trekking back and forth.

    Here are a few more of Kokyat’s images from today’s rehearsal:

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    Jessica Freitas

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    Michael Wright, Crystal Danzer

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    Kimberly Gianelli, Kendahl Ferguson

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    Maddie James

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    Jessica Freitas, Michael Wright

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    Adrienne Cousineau

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    Paige Grimard

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    Mayo Kurokawa

    All photos by Kokyat.