A chocolate and champagne reception, along with an art show and auction of paintings by local artist Jim Pritchard, preceded the performance by the Montgomery Ballet Friday night.
Those who braved the heavy rain, lightning and tornado warnings weren't disappointed! The Repertoire Performance featured a variety of music and dance including Verdi Pas de Six, Carmen Pas De Deux and Esmeralda Pase de Deux. Perhaps the highlight was the final presentation of Masa, which was a modern arrangement with Armenian music.
The Ballet's artistic director, Elie Lazar, is known for his versatility and inventiveness as a choreographer, and we were delighted to talk with him after the finale. The Israel native enjoys bringing new ideas to the art of ballet and has designed demonstrations to teach school children about dance. He presents summer workshops that include performances, lectures with demonstrations and intensive classes.
The Montgomery Ballet was headed to Andalusia in south Alabama today and will be performing A Midsummer Night's Dream in Wetumpka. He told us that the quality of the Ballet includes his aggressive recruitment of the best-trained dancers across the country.
