RODEO WITH CONCERTO BAROCCO AND RETURN TO A STRANGE LAND

Ready for a hoe-down? This evening is the perfect three-course meal! After having to postpone in 2020, the Ballet West premiere of Agnes de Mille’s Rodeo is finally here—and now on a triple-bill, paired with two additional powerhouse masterpieces.

The program opens with Concerto Barocco, a soaring example of George Balanchine’s clean, elegant, and musical aesthetic. As one of his former students, Ballet West founder Willam Christensen was granted the rights to this work from the legend himself and premiered it to Utah audiences in 1965. After nearly 20 years since last being seen on the Capitol Theatre stage, one of Balanchine’s greatest gems returns this season.

Return to a Strange Land is a soulful ode to loss and longing. Using his signature style, both powerfully acrobatic and poetic, renowned Czech choreographer Jiří Kylián created this heart-stopping gem after the sudden loss of his friend and mentor, choreographer John Cranko. Return to a Strange Land is a haunting work for six dancers on a stage strewn with autumn leaves.

The niece of cinematic legend Cecil B. DeMille, Agnes de Mille choreographed great stage productions such as Oklahoma!, Carousel, and Brigadoon. Her charming 1942 one-act story, Rodeo—set to Aaron Copland’s buoyant, well-known score—represents the very pinnacle of Americana in classical ballet. It’s the sweet, simple story of a cowgirl who longs to be one of the guys, and who loses, but then finds, her heart along the way.  

5-performance packages start just $131. Single tickets, if available, will go on sale in September.

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Recommended ages 8 and up.

Programs, artists, and dates subject to change.

RODEO

Choreography
Agnes de Mille

Music
Aaron Copland

Scenic design
Oliver Smith

Costume design
Santo Loquasto

World Premiere
October 16, 1942 New York’s Metropolitan Opera House

CONCERTO BAROCCO

Choreography
George Balanchine

Music
Johann Sebastian Bach

Costume design
Eugene Berman

World Premiere
June 27, 1941
American Ballet Caravan, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Utah Premiere
May 7, 1965

 

RETURN TO A STRANGE LAND

Choreography
Jiří Kylián

Music
Leoš Janáček

Scenic design and Costume design
Jiří Kylián

World Premiere
May 17, 1975 Stuttgart Ballet

Utah Premiere
April 2018 Capitol Theatre

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