14 Arts and Entertainment

The Cadre «+ 6 October 1998

Arts 6 Entertainment

The Royal Winnipeg Ballet: A Grand Success

BY KRISTEN PATTERSON

The Royal Winnipeg Ballet performed for a packed audience the evening Thursday, September 24, the atmosphere of which was one of total anticipation.

With a somewhat weak, albeit typical, start the company performed Tchaikovsky’s “Allegro Brillante.”

While not bad, the dancers seemed at times to be out of sync and not quite comfortable with their choreography. It was certainly pleasant enough, and our gasps of awe were meant to be saved for the one and only Evelyn Hart who would not appear until the next work.

Shining in Auber's “Grand Pas Classique,” Ms. Hart was well-matched with Jesus Corrales, and the two were nothing less than masterful in their performances. It was bold, challeng- ing and brilliant.

Then, we were transplanted into the surreal with Gorecki’s “La Soif.” Performed by four dancers; Tara Birtwhistle, Johnny Wright, Lissette Salgado and Paul De Strooper, the dance was unlike anything I have yet seen. Modern and yet classic, the dancers flowed into each other like liquid and left me in tears.

Ms. Hart returned to the stage in Schubert’s “Impromptu Pas de Deux,” again with Jesus Corrales, and thrilled me to no end. Both dancers’ movements were so precise; they were incapable of making any mistakes. Their facial expressions mirrored the music’s mood perfectly, convincing me of their complete confidence in each other. :

The company concluded the evening’s performance with “L’ Etiquette,” a medley of works from Vivaldi, Daquin, Bach and Corelli. Meantas comic relief, I found it enjoyable, though not hilarious. Perhaps the best part came at the end, when the curtains (of their own accord) failed to open. :

The canned music was a disappointment, though live performances by pianist Taduesz Biernacki and alto flautist Nina Martini-Dorey were greatly appreciated. Overall, it was a gorgeous performance not to be forgotten.

The Truce Trainspotting Oct. 5-7th Oct. 8-1 1th 5&6th at 7pm and 8& 10th at 9:20pm 7th at 6:45pm 9&1 1th at 9pm The Piano Knowledge Oct. 7-11th Oct. 11-13th 7th at9:10pm, 11th at lpm, 8&10th at 7pm 12&13th at 7pm 9&11th at 9pm Tickets:

Regular. $7.00

Member. $4.50

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

UTOBER 6 70 13

Confederation Centre Art Gallery Millie Gamble opened Sept. 20th Island photographer

Alexandra McCurdy: S.0.S. (Sources of Support) Opened Oct. 4th Ceramic art

Gaelforce Dance October 7th

Charlottetown Civic Centre 8pm

Barachois October 5,7,9 &10th McKenzie Theatre

8pm

Ignition October 17th

The Barn

Doors open at 8pm

Confederation Singers

“Frostiana” poems of Robert Frost set to music Oct. 18th

at the Lower West Gallery

Confederation Centre

8pm

Tickets: $10 ($1 discount for students and seniors)

Ian Hominick, Concert Pianist Mozart, Brahms, Thalberg and Grainger Oct. 23rd

at the Lower West Gallery Confederation Centre

8pm Tickets: $10 ($1 discount for students and seniors)

The Four Cornered Couch - ACT (A Community Theatre) Production

Oct. 22-25

Carrefour

8pm