The Flavors and Rhythms of Old-World Spain, Fiery Gypsy Spirit and Passion And a Culture of Honor and Chivalry

Festival Ballet Theatre presents the classic ballet Don Quixote

11.23.2009 – Based on Cervantes’ heroic novel set to Ludwig Minkus’ memorable score, this classic is a ballet lover’s favorite. A must see featuring spectacular guest artists, professional company dancers and a boisterous cast of many. Joining the company for these performances of Don Quixote are internationally renown principal dancers and guest artists from American Ballet Theatre, Gillian Murphy and Marcelo Gomes.

Saturday, March 20, 2010 at 7pm and Sunday, March 21 at 2pm

Irvine Barclay Theatre - 4242 Campus Drive
Tickets: $35 for adults; $28 seniors/children; $20 balcony seating
949-854-4646 www.thebarclay.org www.ticketmaster.com

Press Contact: Cadance Hinkle
marketing@festivalballet.org | 714.962.5440

Festival Ballet Theatre (FBT), Southern California’s most vibrant and accomplished ballet company, will perform Don Quixote at the Irvine Barclay Theatre. The heroic, classical ballet will feature FBT’s professional company and renowned dancers from American Ballet Theatre, Gillian Murphy and Marcelo Gomes. Two full-length performances will be held Saturday, March 20 at 7pm and Sunday, March 21 at 2pm.

Festival Ballet Theatre’s production promises to capture audiences with this valiant and timeless Spanish tale of honor, chivalry, and love. Based on Miguel de Cervantes’ fictional masterpiece, set to the memorable score of Ludwig Minkus, and choreographed by Marius Petipa, Don Quixote will be directed by Salwa Rizkalla, FBT’s Artistic Director. While this spirited and passionate production has been a favorite of ballet aficionados for years, it is sure to capture the attention and hearts of all who attend.

Returning to Festival Ballet Theatre to perform the roles of Kitri and Basilio are internationally renowned dancers, and stars of American Ballet Theatre, Gillian Murphy and Marcelo Gomes. Murphy, a principal with American Ballet Theatre since 2002, has performed leading roles in many full-length works, been prominently featured in many of ABT’s shorter works, and appeared in numerous world premieres. Receiving critical acclaim for her technique and artistry, Murphy has been noted as “one of the most exciting ballerinas of her young generation" by the New York Times. Winner of both the Prix de Lausanne Espoir Award and the Princess Grace Foundation Award, Murphy’s technical skill and artistic brilliance make her one of the most thrilling and beautiful dancers to watch. Murphy, who performed with ABT at OCPAC this past fall, also supported Festival Ballet Theatre by attending their annual Sugar Plum Tea Fundraiser where she spoke with and answered questions of young dancers from Southland Ballet Academy, the official school of Festival Ballet Theatre.

Gomes, born and raised in Brazil, has studied ballet across the world, including the Paris Opera Ballet, Houston Ballet, Boston Ballet and Cuballet. A principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre since 2002, Gomes has performed many leading roles in the company’s productions. Gomes’ awards include A Hope Prize at Lausanne (1996), second place at the National Society of Arts and Letters (1994) and at the Winter Festival in Brazil (1993). Gomes is also a member of the critically-acclaimed group Kings of Dance, which features some of today’s most phenomenal male dancers.

Gomes’ powerful technique makes him perfectly suited to play the role of Basilio, stunning the audience with his expressive and romantic performance. The New York Times says, “Gillian Murphy is perfectly cast as the heroine Kitri”, a role which she has performed numerous times. Murphy and Gomes are sure to present a lively and impressive performance, culminating in their masterful implementation of the grand pas de deux at the end of the ballet.

Synopsis
Don Quixote is the story of a man lost in his own imagination and obsessed with the heroic deeds of knights and noblemen. The ballet begins by introducing the primary characters, the inn-keeper’s daughter Kitri, and Basilio, the man she loves. Thwarted by Kitri’s father Lorenzo, who wants her to marry Gamache, a rich nobleman, the couple runs away. Don Quixote, accompanied by his squire Sancho Panza, enters the scene and believes Kitri to be his love Dulcinea. He is determined to prove his chivalry, joining Lorenzo in the pursuit of the young couple. On the quest, Don Quixote is tricked by gypsies into believing a windmill is a menacing giant, and tries to fight it. After attacking the windmill, he is knocked to the ground and sent into a deep sleep. Don Quixote dreams about being a noble knight and defending Kitri, whom he still belives to be Dulcinea. While he is unconscious, Lorenzo catches Kitri and Basilio and forces his daughter to agree to marriage with Gamache. Basilio, in a dramatic effort to keep his love, pretends to fatally stab himself. While he lies dying, he begs to be married to Kitri. Kitri pleads with Don Quixote to convince her father to grant Basilio’s final wish. Don Quixote speaks with Lorenzo, who is persuaded to give his blessing, which miraculously cures Basilio. With the whole village celebrating the union and the guest of honor, Don Quixote, the story ends with the grand pas de deux of Kitri and Basilio. Bidding a gallant farewell, Don Quixote and Sancho Panza set off for more adventure.

Company History
Under the direction of Salwa Rizkalla, since its founding in 1988, Festival Ballet Theatre has become one of Southern California’s most vibrant and accomplished regional ballet companies. Celebrating its 20th anniversary of artistic service to Orange County, FBT is dedicated to presenting works that epitomize the artistry of professional ballet, offering cultural awareness of dance through educational programs, and nurturing a creative environment for some of our county’s most talented dancers. Boasting a roster of impressive talent, the company’s productions also feature internationally acclaimed guest artists from American Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, the Kirov Ballet, New York City Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, San Francisco Ballet and Scottish Ballet. Festival Ballet Theatre strives to enrich the experience of Orange County’s dance audience by highlighting the work of world-renowned guest and resident choreographers who have received critical acclaim for original ballets around the globe. With reverence for masterpieces of the past and a clear focus on developing future tour de forces, FBT presents a varied repertoire of full-length classical ballets including Coppélia, Don Quixote, Giselle, The Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake; as well as contemporary works by some of the nation’s most sought-after choreographers. FBT has also purchased the assets of Ballet Pacifica, preserving the company’s rich dance legacy while enriching the future of FBT. Aspiring to the heights of artistic excellence, Festival Ballet Theatre simultaneously attracts the best in professional dance to its home-base while sending its own dancers out as artistic ambassadors to the nation. FBT’s significant work has been recognized with a 2001 Arts Orange County Award for Outstanding Arts Organization of the Year.

Salwa Rizkalla, Artistic Director
Salwa Rizkalla’s artistic vision and community involvement led to the creation of Festival Ballet Theatre, and its precursor Southland Ballet Academy. Her credentials as a classical ballet dancer include an impressive list of leading roles in well-known classical ballets, as well as appearances in original contemporary pieces. During her distinguished career as a professional dancer, Rizkalla had the privilege of working under the direction of world-renowned choreographers Leonid Lavrovsky and Serge Lifar. Trained in the Russian Vaganova method and having studied with ballet masters of the Bolshoi and the Kirov, Rizkalla holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Ballet Pedagogy. In addition to her responsibilities as the artistic director of Festival Ballet Theatre and her busy teaching schedule at Southland Ballet Academy, Rizkalla was a faculty member of several area institutions, including Goldenwest College and the Huntington Beach Academy for the Performing Arts. A fully credentialed California teacher, she has been a dedicated educator, a tireless promoter of the arts, and an active participant in the cultural life of her community for more than 25 years. Her contributions have been recognized by The Orange County Music and Arts Administrators and Orange County Performing Arts Center with an Orange County Arts Educator of the Year Award for Secondary Dance (2003). Youth America Grand Prix has awarded Rizkalla Outstanding Teacher accolades several years running, including 2009.

Comments

Jenna Diaz says:: Will there be singing and speaking as well, or just dancing?

Karen Drews says:: This is the ballet version of the story. There will be music and dance, but the performers do not sing or recite written dialogue. The most famous version of the ballet was choreographed by Marius Petipa nearly 100 years before the famous musical theater version. You can find some of the history of the ballet at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Quixote_(ballet)

Ask a Question or Add Your Comment

Twitter Pitch: Festival Ballet Theatre brings ballet lover’s favorite, Don Quixote, to Irvine Barclay Theatre on Mar 20-21.; Tweet

News Facts

Under the direction of Salwa Rizkalla, since its founding in 1988, Festival Ballet Theatre has become one of Southern California’s most vibrant and accomplished regional ballet companies.
Returning to Festival Ballet Theatre are internationally renowned dancers, and stars of American Ballet Theatre, Gillian Murphy as Kitri and Marcelo Gomes as Basilio.
FBT’s significant work has been recognized with a 2001 Arts Orange County Award for Outstanding Arts Organization of the Year.
Based on Miguel de Cervantes’ fictional masterpiece, set to the memorable score of Ludwig Minkus, and choreographed by Marius Petipa, Don Quixote will be directed by Salwa Rizkalla, FBT’s Artistic Director.
Don Quixote is the story of a man lost in his own imagination and obsessed with the heroic deeds of knights and noblemen.