5 minute read
LADY OF THE CAMELLIAS
February 3—12, 2023
Ellie Caulkins Opera House
A three act ballet based on the novel by Alexandre Dumas fils
Choreography by Val Caniparoli
Music by Frédéric Chopin
Costume Design by Robert Glay de la Rose
Scenic Design by David Gano, ACT II designed by Robert Glay de La Rose
Lighting Design by Trad A. Burns
Staging by Charla Metzker and Maiqui Manosa
Conductor Adam Flatt
Solo Pianist David Korevaar
Mezzo Soprano Abigail Nims
Baritone Andrew Garland
Set and costumes courtesy of Boston Ballet
This ballet is dedicated to the memory of Norbert Vesak
World Premiere: February 25, 1994, Ballet Florida
The Raymond Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, West Palm Beach, Florida. Produced in cooperation with Ballet West and Ballet Florida
Colorado Ballet Premiere: Friday, February 3, 2023. Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Denver, Colorado.
In 1844, Alexandre Dumas fils began an affair with Marie Duplesis, one of the most desirable courtesans in Paris. Marie died of consumption in 1847 at the age of 23. Dumas turned their liaison into one of the greatest love stories of all time.
Synopsis
ACT l
Scene 1: Marguerite’s Drawing Room, Paris
Marguerite returns to her apartment with her guests after an evening at the theatre, accompanied by her escort, the Baron de Varville. There are flirtations and camaraderie, liberally sprinkled with bottles of champagne, and the guests dance their enjoyment. Suddenly the smitten Armand enters escorted by Prudence, an opportunistic ex-courtesan and milliner. At last Marguerite succumbs to his advances and invites him secretly to her boudoir after the soiree.
Scene 2: Marguerite’s Boudoir
ACT ll
Summer, A Country Garden, Auteuil
Intermission
Marguerite and Armand, in the summer of their love, are joined by guests for a picnic and relaxation away from the heat of Paris. The festivities are interrupted by the sudden and unexpected arrival by the Baron de Varville. He demands the return of Marguerite but is frustrated by her rejection and abruptly leaves as the party continues. The happy day has ended. Dusk is falling when Duval Sr., father of Armand, appears unannounced, asking that Marguerite renounce her love for Armand so that he and his family might continue their lives in social acceptability. The ill Marguerite reluctantly agrees and sets forth a plan to delude Armand into believing she no longer loves him and wishes to return to her protector, Baron de Varville.
Intermission
ACT lll
Scene 1: Autumn, Olympe’s Ballroom, Paris
Olympe is giving a grand party to open the Paris social season. There is a great swirl of dancing, with entertainment and frivolity. A weakened Marguerite and the Baron de Varville enter. Armand, the passion of his loss, publicly humiliates Marguerite. Baron de Varville challenges Armand to a duel; the challenge is accepted.
Scene 2: Marguerites Boudoir
In the echoes of her mind, Marguerite witnesses the duel of Armand and the Baron. Ill and alone, in her dementia Marguerite imagines the worst, and envisions the realities and the possibilities, the triumph of Olympe, and the realization of her inevitable loss. In her death she relives the passion of her love and rediscovers her innocence.
Original Polish Lyrics
NIEMA CZEGO TRZEBA
Mgla mi do oczu zawiewa zlona, W prawo i wiewo cmi naokolo;
Dumka na ustach braknie i skona!
Niemo, och! niemo, bo niewesolo.
Nie ma bo, nie ma czego potrzeba!
Dawno mi tutaj nudno, niemilo:
Ni mego stonca! ni mego nieba!
Ni mego czegos! Czym serce zylo.
Kochac i spiewac bylo by blogo!
W cudzej tu pustce snilbym jak w domu:
Kochac, o, kochac! i nie ma kogo!
Spiewac, o, spiewac! I nie ma komu!
Niekiedy wzrokiem ku niebu wierce.
Poswistomm wiatru wcale nie laje:
Zimno, o! zimno, lecz ouka serce, Ze z dumka w insze odlecim kraje!
English Translation
FADED AND VANISHED
My Heart is heavy, my eyes full of sorrow, Darkness creeps over me.
I can no longer sing of tomorrow, For I am dumb with grief and weeping. All that I long for is faded and gone. I wander here in anguish, lonely and sad. The sun has gone from my heaven. And I must languish here in this loveless place. Oh, could I love again I’d sing with gladness. Here, far from home, I long to dream. I want what I have not – to love; And there is no one to love, nor to sing to. Sometimes I look to heaven, imploring. And the bowling storm bears my grief. The rain is cold, and its roar is loud. ‘Sing’, cries my heart, ‘for we shall soon be leaving.’
Source: Chopin The Complete Works
Published by Hyperion Records Limited
Translated by Professor Dr. Hab Mieczyslaw Tomaszewski.
CASTING FOR LADY OF THE CAMELLIAS | February 3–5, 2023
Marguerite Gautier, A Courtesan Dana Benton (2/3, 2/5), Jennifer Grace (2/4 mat), Asuka Sasaki (2/4 eve)
Armand Duval, Marguerite’s Lover Yosvani Ramos (2/3, 2/5), Mario Labrador (2/4 mat), Jonnathan Ramirez (2/4 eve)
Baron de Varville, Armand’s Rival Christophor Moulton (2/3, 2/5), Patrick Mihm (2/4 mat), Nicolas Pelletier (2/4 eve)
Nanine, Marguerite’s Maid Alexandra Gilliom (2/3, 2/5), Fiona Hutchens (2/4)
St. Gaudins, A Roué Bryce Lee (2/3, 2/4 mat, 2/5), Sean Omandam (2/4 eve)
Olympe, St. Gaudins’ Mistress Jessica Payne (2/3, 2/5), Leah McFadden (2/4)
Prudence, A Milliner & Member Maria Mosina of the Demi-Monde
Gustave, A Young Lover Nicolas Pelletier (2/3, 2/4 mat, 2/5), Christopher Moulton (2/4 eve)
Nichette, Gustave’s Fiancée Sarah Tryon (2/3, 2/4 mat, 2/5), Ariel McCarty (2/4 eve)
Duval Senior, Armand’s Father Domenico Luciano
Gaston, A Playboy Kevin Gaël Thomas (2/3, 2/4 mat, 2/5), Kenny Allen (2/4 eve)
Dream Marguerite Leah McFadden (2/3, 2/5), Jessica Payne (2/4 mat), Sarah Tryon (2/4 eve)
Dream Armand Jonnathan Ramirez (2/3, 2/5), Christophor Moulton (2/4 mat), Jeremy Studinski (2/4 eve)
Friends, Guests, Revelers Ariel McCarty, Mackenzie Dessens Studinski, Alexandra Wilson, Melissa Zoebisch, Catherine Aoki, Sheridan Guerin, Ever Larson, Francesca Martoccio, Catherine McGregor, Sara Thomas, Alexandra Gilliom, Stefanee Montesantos, Sonata Ross, Lily Bines, Mylie Buck, Vanessa Childress, Brooke Janney, Lili Travaglia
Sean Omandam, Jeremy Studinski, Joshua Allenback, Cato Berry, Liam Hogan, Patrick Mihm, Christopher Mitchell, Alexander Roy, Kenny Allen, Patrick Mihm, Thomas Fontana, Leopold Foster, Ryan Nemmers, Wyatt Mier, Timothy Ruelas, Tate Ryner
CASTING FOR LADY OF THE CAMELLIAS | February 10–12, 2023
Marguerite Gautier, A Courtesan Jennifer Grace (2/10), Asuka Sasaki (2/11 mat, 2/12), Dana Benton (2/11 eve)
Armand Duval, Marguerite’s Lover Mario Labrador (2/10), Jonnathan Ramirez (2/11 mat, 2/12), Yosvani Ramos (2/11 eve)
Baron de Varville, Armand’s Rival Patrick Mihm (2/10), Nicolas Pelletier (2/11 mat, 2/12), Christophor Moulton (2/11 eve)
Nanine, Marguerite’s Maid Fiona Hutchens (2/10, 2/11 mat, 2/12), Alexandra Gilliom (2/11 eve)
St. Gaudins, A Roué Bryce Lee (2/10, 2/12 eve), Sean Omandam (2/11 mat, 2/12)
Olympe, St. Gaudins’ Mistress Leah McFadden (2/10, 2/11 mat, 2/12), Jessica Payne (2/11 eve)
Prudence, A Milliner & Member Maria Mosina of the Demi-Monde
Gustave, A Young Lover
Nicolas Pelletier (2/10, 2/11 eve), Christopher Moulton (2/11 mat, 2/12)
Nichette, Gustave’s Fiancée Sarah Tryon (2/10, 2/11 eve), Ariel McCarty (2/11 mat, 2/12)
Duval Senior, Armand’s Father Domenico Luciano
Gaston, A Playboy Kevin Gaël Thomas (2/10, 2/11 eve), Kenny Allen (2/11 mat, 2/12)
Dream Marguerite Jessica Payne (2/10), Sarah Tryon (2/11 mat, 2/12), Leah McFadden (2/11 eve)
Dream Armand Christophor Moulton (2/10), Jeremy Studinski (2/11 mat, 2/12), Jonnathan Ramirez (2/11 eve)
Friends, Guests, Revelers Ariel McCarty, Mackenzie Dessens Studinski, Alexandra Wilson, Melissa Zoebisch, Catherine Aoki, Sheridan Guerin, Ever Larson, Francesca Martoccio, Catherine McGregor, Sara Thomas, Alexandra Gilliom, Stefanee Montesantos, Sonata Ross, Lily Bines, Mylie Buck, Vanessa Childress, Brooke Janney, Lili Travaglia
Sean Omandam, Jeremy Studinski, Joshua Allenback, Cato Berry, Liam Hogan, Patrick Mihm, Christopher Mitchell, Alexander Roy, Kenny Allen, Patrick Mihm, Thomas Fontana, Leopold Foster, Ryan Nemmers, Wyatt Mier, Timothy Ruelas, Tate Ryner
The performance duration is two hours and fifteen minutes, including two twenty-minute intermissions.
Please note that all casting is subject to change. For the most up-to-date casting information, please visit COLORADOBALLET.ORG/LADY-OF-THE-CAMELLIAS.
