Ballet Pro Musica Festival July 27, 2008

The Ballet Pro Musica Festival follows its successful 2007 debut with a second summer season of Chamber Music Ballet, featuring principals and soloists from the internationally recognized, Mexico City-based National Ballet of Mexico (Compania Nacional de Danza), along with the return of the Felberg Chamber Virtuosi, led by the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra’s Associate Concertmaster, violinist David Felberg. The Festival runs Monday through Sunday, July 28-August 3, 2008 at the National Hispanic Cultural Center, 1701 – 4th Street, SW.

Formed as a response to the now-common use of recorded music during live ballet performances, Ballet Pro Musica’s critically acclaimed inaugural season debuted the first summer festival in America devoted exclusively to a new entertainment art form -- Chamber Music Ballet -- a partnership of virtuoso musicians and virtuoso dancers from celebrated national companies, marrying live chamber music to classical dance presentations.

Performances are Friday and Saturday, August 1 and 2 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, August 3 at 2 p.m. The program for each performance consists of:

• Apollo. Music: Igor Stravinsky. Choreography: George Balanchine.
• Miroirs. Music: Maurice Ravel. Choreography: Mark Godden.
• Concerto Grosso. Music: Johann Sebastian Bach. Choreography: Alex Ossadnik.

In addition to the three performances, the Festival schedule includes:

• Thursday, July 31 and Friday, August 1: Master classes for advanced dance students at 10 a.m. with Compania Nacional de Danza Artistic Director Dariusz Blajer and his staff.
• Friday, August 1: Free children’s program at 10 a.m. featuring a discussion of ballet as an art form and short performance.

New this year is the Red Carpet Lounge, a group of special VIP packages:

• Friday, August 1: At 6:30 p.m., an opening night gala reception preceding the 8 p.m. performance that includes hors d'oeuvres, wines, desserts, Champagne Symposium, a private entrance to the theater, premium seating and private restrooms, as well as valet parking and shuttle service. For the Champagne Symposium, Festival publicist and KUNM-FM radio personality Jane Blume moderates a panel discussion, “The Marriage of Choreographer and Composer,” featuring Blajer, Ossadnik and other ballet and music experts.
• Saturday, August 2: At 6:30 p.m., a repeat of the Champagne Symposium before the 8 p.m. performance, which includes hors d’oeuvres, wines, a private entrance to the theater, premium seating, and private restrooms.
• Sunday, August 3: At 12:30 p.m., a repeat of the previous evening’s Champagne Symposium with additional benefits, before the 2 p.m. performance.

Ticket prices for each of the three performances are $30, $45, $60, and $75. The opening night gala reception is $150 per person (including a $50 tax-deductible donation). The August 2nd and 3rd Champagne Symposiums are $85 per person. Fees for the Master Classes are $25 per person per class.

Tickets are available through the National Hispanic Cultural Center Box Office, 505-724-4771; Ticketmaster, 505-883-7800 or www.ticketmaster.com and all Ticketmaster outlets. Those who are interested in attending the Master Classes or children’s program should call Ballet Pro Musica, 505-352-1281.

Ballet Pro Musica has received financial support from the New Mexico State Legislature, the McCune Charitable Foundation, the Gorham Charitable Foundation, the Hancock Family Foundation, and private individuals and businesses. Additional support comes from the National Hispanic Cultural Center, Educational Foundation of New Mexico, and the Mexican Consulate in Albuquerque

Official Website: http://www.balletpromusica.org