Ballet at heart of extravaganza

Three works will fill the stage at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House from Feb. 20 through March 1, accompanied by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra.

Artistic Director Gil Boggs said: “The first time we performed a Ballet Masterworks production in 2013, we really pushed our dancers to demonstrate their artistry, athleticism and raw talent …” They demonstrated what they were capable of outside of storybook ballets.

The program includes: “Concerto Barocco” by choreographer George Balanchine, with music by Johann Sebastian Bach; “Fancy Free” by choreographer Jerome Robbins, with original score composed by Leonard Bernstein; and “In Pieces,” choreographed by Val Caniparoli with music by Poul Ruders.

Russian neo-classical ballet choreographer Balanchine (1904-1983) has been credited with the fusion of contemporary concepts with the language of classical ballet. He was invited to the U.S. in 1933 by arts supporter/philanthropist Lincoln Kirstein and they founded the School of American Ballet and the New York City Ballet, which he headed until his death.

He said the ballerinas in “Concerto Barocco” personify the violins in “Bach’s Concerto in D Minor for Two Violins,” according to Boggs.

American choreographer/Broadway producer Jerome Robbins (1918-1998) choreographed more than 60 ballets and created dance for theater, movies and television. The comical “Fancy Free” is set in wartime New York, where three sailors on leave seek out drinks and female companionship. It premiered in 1944.

Colorado Ballet premiered “In Pieces” in 2013. American choreographer Val Canaiparoli began choreographing works while a dancer with the San Francisco Ballet and has works in the repertories of more than 35 dance companies. He is known for unique choices in music and “In Pieces” is set to Ruder’s “Concerto in Pieces.”

Good news: The company had a record-breaking attendance for its production of “The Nutcracker” in 2014, as well as continued success with its capital campaign for its new home, Armstrong Center for Dance in the Santa Fe Arts District.

If you go

Performances of “Ballet Masterworks” are in the Ellie Caulkins Opera House at the Denver Performing Arts Complex at Champa and 14th streets in downtown Denver. Times: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20, 21, 26, 27, 28; 2 p.m. Feb. 21, 22, March 1. Tickets: $ 25 to $ 155, 303-837-8888, ext. 2, or ColoradoBallet.org.