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Review: Richmond Ballet’s “Trio” Uplifted Every Spirit Watching

Christopher McDaniel | November 8, 2017

Topics: Carpenter Theatre, dance, Dominion Arts Center, Richmond Ballet, richmond symphony, trio, vcu

Richmond Ballet’s “Trio” transformed the Carpenter Theatre into three separate worlds with three remarkably presented ballets. Prior to the 2017 premiere of the “Trio,” RVA Mag was able to join the Richmond Ballet’s Company dancers as they prepared to present their repertoire to not only Richmond, but Norfolk as well. The rehearsals of “Gloria,” “Silence,” and “Journey” reflected what was executed on the main stage; the ballet master meticulously spot -checking and polishing routines for consistency and poise.

The curtain rose to “Gloria,” a choreographic interpretation of Vivaldi’s classic, and the work featured a marvelous collaboration between the Ballet, the Richmond Symphony, and the Virginia Commonwealth University Commonwealth Singers. This grandstanding, traditional ballet encompasses what dance is capable of in a multi-media digestion of artistic content. Vivaldi, a classic, would receive classical treatment within the confines of ballet, which I find boring from repetition, but this was never the case while I watched “Gloria.” The most notable performances of the piece coming from the second movement, comprised of three sets of gorgeous partnering, and the tenth movement, which featured a striking, articulated solo from Eri Nishihara.

My personal favorite of the night came with the second ballet, “Silence.” Originally a smaller work that premiered at New Works, choreographer Gina Patterson was commissioned by the Ballet to travel to Richmond and fully produce the work. This is how the floating pillar came to be, as well as the walking red dress performer. But, what truly captivated my interest about the choreographic layout was the highly-occupied space of dancers in a perpetual state of redress and organic redirection. With so much occurring at once, I always knew where to look. “Silence” is an outright breathtaking pillar of contemporary ballet. Also, special kudos to Fernando Sabino and Maggie Small’s performance.

Last in the “Trio” lineup was “Journey,” a form-breaking ballet consisting of an all-male cast. No other words can describe these twelve professional male dancers besides virtuous and essential. The piece’s original choreographer, Salvatore Aiello, crafted the work to honor the male dancer, who he had believed broke a glass ceiling in the industry. Men don’t just have to lift the women, but they can be lifted themselves. The most thought-provoking quote uttered during those rehearsals rang a little like, “You’re not lifting them, you’re catching them, so they don’t fly away.” That tenderness is the point, and that tenderness received a standing ovation.

Richmond Ballet’s next performance will be “The Nutcracker,” premiering on Sat, Dec 9, at the Dominion Arts Center.

Photo Credits: Sarah Ferguson 

Richmond Ballet Premieres ‘Trio’ at Dominion Arts Center This Weekend

Christopher McDaniel | November 3, 2017

Topics: dance, Dominion Arts Center, Richmond Ballet, trio

This weekend marks the premiere of the Richmond Ballet’s second ballet of their performance season, “Trio.” This powerful show runs from Friday, Nov. 3, to Sunday, Nov. 5, at the Dominion Arts Center, and it aims to highlight the Ballet’s Company at the utmost of its capabilities. The “Trio” performance features three different ballets: “Gloria” by Dennis Spaight, “Journey” by Salvatore Aiello, and “Silence” by Gina Patterson.

The history behind each of these ballets in relation to the Richmond Ballet is rich. “Silence” first premiered with the Richmond Ballet about a decade ago. One of the Ballet’s masters was in the original production of “Gloria” when it premiered in 1983. “Journey” is an all-male ballet, featuring all 12 of the Company’s men.

Richmond Ballet’s Public Relations and Content Manager, Valerie Tellmann-Henning, was in the original production of Patterson’s ballet. “The ‘Trio’ is one of the most beautiful ballets of the season because it highlights the company to the best of its ability,” Tellmann-Henning said. “We get dancers from all over the world; the texture of fabric from movements by Brazil and Hungary.”

One of the current dancers in “Silence” and “Gloria,” Abi Goldstein, expressed her involvement in the works. “’Gloria’ is uplifting and happy, and ‘Silence’ is very dramatic,” Goldstein said. “I walk through the stage wearing a long, flowing red dress.”

Another dancer, Ira White, was born and raised right here in Richmond, and rose through the Ballet’s Minds in Motion program, to the School of Richmond Ballet, and finally to the premiere Company. “I’m in all three ballets,” White said. “So, it’s a true trio for me.”

White also spoke of his excitement in getting the opportunity to perform in “Journey,” Aiello’s all-male ballet. “It’s fun to be out there with fellow men who all love dance. It’s athletic, yet beautiful and precise,” he said.

Some of the most anticipated elements of this performance will be the collaboration the Ballet has facilitated with themselves, the Richmond Symphony, and the VCU Commonwealth Singers in the ballet “Gloria.” This classical, traditional ballet is a dance interpretation of the Vivaldi’s “Gloria,” which features tremendous solos and ultimately fascinating duet work, so the Symphony and the Singers will be there to perform the ballet’s soundtrack. It’s not something to be missed.

“Silence” leans more towards the more contemporary side of ballet as it first premiered at the New Works Festival in 2008. The ballet was then first fully-commissioned by the Richmond Ballet under Patterson in 2009, and now reappears because of its sheer beauty and emotion it evokes. The Symphony will also be collaborating by performing the score alongside the dancers.

“I think it is about finding peace within the stillness, the silence when we find ourselves alone in a quiet moment, in the dark of night, or on a walk with miles in front of us to conquer,” said Patterson in a statement about “Silence”. 

Finding itself between the contemporary and classics, Aiello’s “Journey” is a ballet that features an entirely male cast. What’s so fascinating is similar to White’s words, this ballet is so physical and athletic, but it still contains the tenderness and grace consistent with ballet. It’s form-breaking, and executed by the undeniably qualified and capable male dancers of the Ballet’s Company.

With the “Trio,” Richmond Ballet has raised the bar once again for its ballet patrons.

“The standards Richmond Ballet sets for its performance are high, so we keep having to outdo ourselves, and our dancers love the challenge,” Tellmann-Henning said.

“Trio” will premiere at the Dominion Arts Center Friday, Nov. 3, at 7pm, with another performance on Saturday, Nov. 4, at 7pm. There will also be a matinee on Sunday, Nov. 5, at 2pm. Tickets are $25-$80 and can be found here. 

Top Photo Credit:  Aaron Sutten. Richmond Ballet

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