Standing Ovation

Le Corsaire

Enlarge Photo

Photo by: Michael Cairns

Wrapping up a successful first season as the Orlando Ballet’s new Artistic Director, Robert Hill is bringing his diverse mix of modern and classical ballet full circle with a season finale that promises to be as exciting as ever.

After kicking off the season with the fairytale story of Cinderella and diverging to the very modern Battle of the Sexes, the program now returns to its roots with the 19th-century classic performance of Le Corsaire. Pirates and slaves dance across the stage as the plot filled with sword fights and seduction unfolds. Le Corsaire, one of the most celebrated and complex of classical ballets, is also one of the most difficult to perform. However, Hill says the Orlando Ballet is thrilled to “rise to the challenge.”
 
And for the novice ballet-goer, Hill includes a family-friendly matinee of the abbreviated version, The Persian Princess —guaranteed to get even the little ones excited about the dance form. After all, what kid doesn’t love a bit of swashbuckling?

April 23-25 at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre. www.orlandoballet.org

Tags: arts and culture | ballet | dance | orlando | performance | show