CARMINA BURANA
Pacific Northwest Ballet
McCaw Hall
Seattle, WA
Review: Saturday 9/24/22 7:30pm Performance
Performances run through Sunday October 2
(Pacific Northwest Ballet company dancers with the PLU Choral Union in Kent Stowell’s Carmina Burana. PNB presents Carmina Burana on a triple-bill with works by Alexei Ratmansky and George Balanchine, onstage at Seattle Center’s McCaw Hall September 23 – October 2, 2022 (and streaming October 6 – 10.) For tickets and information, contact the PNB Box Office, 206.441.2424 or PNB.org. Photo © Angela Sterling.)
The 50th Anniversary of the Pacific Northwest Ballet is an amazing accomplishment for the company. I was barely making a mark in this world when the PNB started all those years ago. The 2022/2023 season will be a mixture of new and old to celebrate the 50th Anniversary.
The first production of this new season features Carmina Burana (Kent Stowell), Allegro Brillante (George Balanchine), and Wartime Elegy (Alexei Ratmansky).
The performance started off with Allegro Brillante. As influential as George Balanchine was/is, I am honestly growing a bit tired of seeing his works scattered throughout the various seasons that I have reviewed for the PNB. Artistic director Peter Boal clearly loves Balanchine’s work as he has incorporated many of his pieces since he took over as artistic director. It’s not that Balanchine’s work is bad, far from it. I just find it dated and the more I see of it, the more dated it becomes.
(Pacific Northwest Ballet corps de ballet dancers Clara Ruf Maldonado and Juliet Prine in Allegro Brillante, choreography by George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust. PNB presents Allegro Brillante on a triple-bill with works by Alexei Ratmansky and Kent Stowell, onstage at Seattle Center’s McCaw Hall September 23 – October 2, 2022 (and streaming October 6 – 10.) For tickets and information, contact the PNB Box Office, 206.441.2424 or PNB.org. Photo © Angela Sterling.)
The dancing during Allegro Brillante was as high level as one would expect from the PNB. I enjoyed seeing the PNB live again after a few months off. I just wish the program would have started with something non - Balanchine.
The second work was a world premiere and was arguably the best work of the evening. Wartime Elegy told a story much like cinema on a grand scale. Dramatic in the first movement, comedic in the second movement, and dramatic again in the third movement. The music and choreography worked so well together that it was simply mesmerizing. This was a highlight performance and one of the best I've witnessed since I started reviewing for the PNB in November of 2018.
Pacific Northwest Ballet company dancers in the world premiere of Alexei Ratmansky’s Wartime Elegy. PNB presents Wartime Elegy on a triple-bill with works by George Balanchine and Kent Stowell, onstage at Seattle Center’s McCaw Hall September 23 – October 2, 2022 (and streaming October 6 – 10.) For tickets and information, contact the PNB Box Office, 206.441.2424 or PNB.org. Photo © Angela Sterling.
The last work of the night was Carmina Burana, something I have actually seen before in 2019. Due to the 50th Anniversary aspect, there are a few productions that will be repeated viewings for me which is interesting as now I can compare and contrast when applicable.
Carl Orff’s main theme has been used in numerous films, tv shows, and commercials. I tend to think of it as “Conan” music as that was the first time I heard the music where it made an impact on me (the 1982 film). The ballet version of Carmina Burana is impactful and weaves a great story, complete with operatic vocals, a full sized choir, and other assorted visuals to add to the overall impact. My only gripe with it was the length. There were parts of it toward the end where it seemed like the choreography should end but unfortunately it didn’t. But this is a minor gripe. I really enjoyed the production and all of the artistry that went into making it come alive on the McCaw Hall stage.
Overall, Rep 1 for the 2022/2023 season of the Pacific Northwest Ballet was solid, aside from the opening number. Again, this is just my “still learning about professional ballet” opinion. I’m sure there are some patrons that get excited as soon as they see Balanchine’s name on the program.
What I can say is that I’m looking forward to seeing a full season
in-person of the Pacific Northwest Ballet. This would be a first for me as I started one show into the 2018/2019 season. The 2019/2020 season - well, we all know what happened there. Ditto 2020/2021. And the 2021/2022 season was hybrid (for me at least).
The PNB is ready to celebrate 50 years this season. Be sure to join in the celebration!
Carmina Burana runs through October 2. Purchase tickets: HERE!
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts
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