[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] The Universal Ballet Company will present "Don Quixote," "Giselle," and "The Nutcracker" in this year's regular performances.
On the 12th, the Universal Ballet Company announced this year's performance lineup, stating that they will stage classic ballet works, which are representative pieces of the Universal Ballet Company, in their regular performances. Additionally, they revealed plans to showcase new works at the 11th Korea Ballet Festival, present special programs through co-productions with Sejong Center for the Performing Arts and Seoul Arts Center, and through a business agreement with Jeongdong Theater. From March, they will meet regional audiences with works such as "Ballet Gala," "Don Quixote," "Swan Lake," and "Sleeping Beauty."
The Universal Ballet Company will perform "Don Quixote," which was planned for last year's Korea Ballet Festival and touring performances but was canceled due to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), as a co-production with Seoul Arts Center in the first regular performance in June.
"Don Quixote" is a work inspired by the novel of Spanish playwright Cervantes, with music by Ludwig Minkus and choreography by Marius Petipa. Unlike the original novel, the ballet "Don Quixote" focuses on the cheerful love story of the poor barber Basil and the charming tavern daughter Kitri. The production is impressive with its Mediterranean colors and vibrant stage and costumes, fast-paced story development, humorous ballet mime, the chaotic adventures of strong-character personalities, and dazzling dances featuring high-level techniques.
The Universal Ballet Company will immediately present a new work at the 11th Korea Ballet Festival following the "Don Quixote" performance.
In October, they will perform the essence of romantic ballet, "Giselle." "Giselle" combines the music of Adolphe Adam with choreography by Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot, and is known alongside "La Sylphide" as a symbol of romantic ballet. "Giselle" tells a sad love story between the spiritual world and reality. The pure country girl Giselle dies in tears after the betrayal of her beloved and, as a spirit, protects her noble love for her lover. "Giselle" is notable for the fantastic corps de ballet of Willis dressed in pure white romantic tutus, the principal dancers' high-level techniques, and their three-dimensional acting transformations.
In December, closing the year, they will be with "The Nutcracker," the herald of Christmas. "The Nutcracker," created with music by Tchaikovsky and choreography by the Marius Petipa-Lev Ivanov duo, premiered worldwide in 1892 and remains a steady seller decorating year-end performances globally. The Universal Ballet Company prepared a "Nutcracker" performance last year in co-production with Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, but the performance was canceled due to the spread of COVID-19. This year, they plan to stage it again in co-production with Sejong Center.
Meanwhile, the Universal Ballet Company will visit regional audiences with representative classical ballet works such as "Don Quixote," "Swan Lake," and "The Nutcracker." Through "Swan Lake with Commentary," selected for the "Culture Sharing Across the Country" project, they plan to provide regional audiences with opportunities to enjoy high-quality cultural arts. They will also present chamber series programs such as "Sleeping Beauty," in collaboration with Jeongdong Theater.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
