The Northwest Florida Ballet (NFB) returns to the Mattie Kelly Arts Center on Mar. 9 at 7:30 p.m. and Mar. 10 at 2:30 p.m. with Carl Orff’s powerhouse masterpiece Carmina Burana. An exciting collaboration with the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra (NFSO), this unique production of Carmina Burana is being performed for the first time on the Emerald Coast. Also on the program will be the neo-classical ballet Afterglow, choreographed by NFB’s Todd Eric Allen to the ethereal music of Ralph Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis, performed live by the NFSO.
Created in 1934 and based on texts dating back to the 11th century, Carmina Burana is an uproarious and intoxicating depiction of a medieval paradise celebrating spring and new beginnings. This inspiring, one-of-a-kind program is a mesmerizing mix of live music, opera and dance featuring the choreography of Gregory Schramel, Artistic Director of New Orleans Ballet Theater, performed by NFB dancers and soloists from NOBT.
Schramel and his wife, Marjorie, founded NOBT in 2002 after returning to New Orleans at the end of their professional ballet careers. Frustrated with no opportunity to pursue their chosen profession in New Orleans, they set out to create a world-class ballet company and school in the city they adore. Greg started his ballet training at NOCCA and soon left for the School of American Ballet, the New York City Ballet training ground. His 20-year professional career took him to Oklahoma City Ballet, Dallas Ballet, Vienna, Austria, Paris, France, Miami City Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet and Atlanta Ballet. He has toured throughout Europe, Asia, Moscow, and South America and served as the tour director for the Atlanta Ballet. Marjorie has also had a prestigious career, dancing with American Ballet Theater, Miami City Ballet, and Cincinnati Ballet, dancing in various ballets in classical and Balanchine repertoires.
The talented musicians of the NFSO provide the music. The 65-piece professional ensemble is the resident orchestra at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center in Niceville and features internationally acclaimed guest soloists and emerging local talent under the leadership of Music Director/Conductor Todd Craven. The mission of the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra is to connect people of all ages to classical and orchestral music. The organization strives to forge new collaborations and connections with the immediate community and beyond.
Rising operatic world stars soprano Sarah Vautour, tenor Chris Bozeka and baritone Ben Taylor, along with the Northwest Florida Symphony Chorale, round out this incredible ensemble of artists for Carmina Burana.
Box office-priced tickets for Carmina Burana are $45 for adults and $20 for children 12 and under. Visit NFBallet.org/carmina-burana to learn more or purchase tickets through the Mattie Kelly Arts Center Box Office. The Season Signature sponsors for Carmina Burana are Scarlett Magazine and NFB’s Official Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Provider, NFBJS Foot & Ankle Surgeon Dr. Sonya Ahmed. NFB is sponsored in part by the State of Florida, the Department of State, the Division of Arts and Culture and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.
Author: Sowal Editor
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