A group of artists, producers and interested parties have organized The Metropolitan Ballet. This organization has been established to celebrate and unite the music and dance communities in the exploration of the fine art of dance. The artists that have affiliated themselves with this organization come from the finest dance companies and institutions in the region and in the spirit of unity and collaboration have combined their artistry as an ensemble to create these events.

Last year nearly fifty dancers assembled to form a cast for the classic ballet Romeo and Juliet set to Prokofiev’s Opus 64 performed live by GTCYS’ Symphony Orchestra. The event sold out the O’ Shaughnessy of nearly 2000 seats. This Memorial Day weekend, May 27 - 29, 2005, the Metropolitan Ballet will present a Classic Gala at the Historic Pantages Theater that celebrates some of the most legendary works in the classic repertoire of ballet. Tokyo, New York, Berlin, Paris and other cosmopolitan cities host these galas and have established a tradition of celebrating the great works that have inspired generations in the fine art of dance.

These legendary works are set to music of some of the greatest composers of all time. Many of these are excerpts from the “grand ballets” like Swan Lake, Romeo & Juliet, Carmen and Giselle. The Afternoon of a Faun and Spectra de la Rose are individual works of the highest level that have remained in the repertoire of most major ballet companies for nearly a century. The Dying Swan by Fokine, set to Saint Seans’ “La Cygne”(The Swan) ~ The Carnival of the Animals, is regarded as the most legendary solo in the classical ballet repertoire and is considered an honor to perform as so few ballerinas become qualified to perform this piece.

Afternoon of a Faun ~ Nijinsky/ Debussy
La Sylphide Pas de Deux ~ Bournonville/H. Lovenskjold
Giselle Pas de Deux Act ll ~ Petipe/Adolph Adam
Swan Lake Act lll Pas de Deux ~ Petipe/ Tchaikovsky
Le Spectre de la Rose ~ Fokine/Carl-Maria von Weber
Romeo & Juliet ~ Balcony Pas de Deux ~ Prokofiev
Aria ~ Hart / Antonio Vivaldi
Carmen Pas de Deux ~ Alonso/Bizet
Le Corsaire Pas de Deux ~ Mazilier /Adolph Adam
The Dying Swan ~ Fokine/Saint Seans

In celebration of all artwork having once been new, this production will showcase one new work titled Aria set to Vivaldi‘s Aria Sposa Son Disprezzata. Choreographed by Minnesota's Jennifer Hart, an aspiring new face in choreography in the Twin Cites who‘s work is being produced by The Southern Theater and in New York City. Pianist Judy Lin of The Bakken Trio and cellist Thomas Rosenberg of The Artaria String Quartet bring a rich texture of live music including "Le Cygne" for The Dying Swan. Ms. Lin and Mr. Rosenberg are also McKnight Award recipients.

To make a production on this scale possible an ensemble has been created with the communities’ most accomplished professional dancers. These artists are from a variety of dance organizations with international and/or national experience and recognition. This collaboration of talent exploring these fine works of art brings to the community an educational and artistic opportunity that is designed to enrich, educate and inspire.

One Weekend Only ~ May 27-29, 2005
Friday & Saturday 8 pm, Sunday Matinee at 3 pm
Adults: $42.50, $32.50 and $22.50

The Historic PANTAGES Theater, 710 Hennepin Avenue ~ Minneapolis, MN