May 10-19, 2024
Jewels
About the Show – Kansas City Ballet Premiere
BALANCHINE SPARKLES WITH THESE THREE BALLET GEMS!
Balanchine paired the fiery beauty of precious gems with the incredible music of three very different composers to create a ballet in three unforgettable acts. Each is distinct in both music and mood.
Emeralds, with music by Gabriel Urbain Fauré, evokes the elegance, comfort, couture, and perfume of the French Romantics’ 19th-century dances. Rubies, with music by Igor Stravinsky, is a jazzy, high-energy piece that showcases Balanchine’s signature neoclassical style. Diamonds, with music by Peter I. Tchaikovsky, recalls the essence of Imperial Russia, where Balanchine was trained.
The ballet features lavish costumes and sets, and the choreography is known for its technical difficulty and precision. Jewels is considered one of Balanchine’s greatest works and is a beloved piece in the repertoire of many ballet companies around the world.
Emeralds
Choreography: George Balanchine
Music: Gabriel Fauré
Performed by Kansas City Symphony
Rubies
Choreography: George Balanchine
Music: Igor Stravinsky
Performed by Kansas City Symphony
Diamonds
Choreography: George Balanchine
Music: Peter I. Tchaikovsky
Performed by Kansas City Symphony
The Story Of Jewels
The Story Of Jewels
Jewels is a three-act ballet created for the New York City Ballet by co-founder and founding choreographer George Balanchine. It premiered in April 1967 at the New York State Theater.
Jewels has been called the first full-length abstract ballet. It has three related movements: Emeralds, Rubies, and Diamonds (usually separated by intermissions). It can also be seen as three separate ballets, linked by their jewel-colored costumes. Balanchine commented: “The ballet had nothing to do with jewels. The dancers are just dressed like jewels.”
Meet the Dancers
Pre-Curtain Talks
Free for all ticketholders, arrive early and hear about the show you are about to see. Learn how music, special effects, and costumes all make magic on stage by attending the pre-curtain talk, Belger Footnotes, hosted by Artistic Director Devon Carney.
Held at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts one hour prior to curtain. No reservation is necessary.
Artist Conversations
Dance Speaks: Jewels
Wednesday, April 10, 2024 | Frost Studio Theater | Todd Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity | 500 West Pershing Rd., KCMO 64108
5:15-6 p.m. | Jewels Rehearsal
6-7 p.m. | Dance Speaks Panel
Kansas City Ballet Artistic Director Devon Carney invites Dance Speaks patrons to join him and guests (TBD) in an engaging conversation inspired by the ballet Jewels. Get a sneak peek beforehand of a company rehearsal of Jewels and gain inside information about the production. The program includes an audience Q and A. Tickets are only $12.
Dancer Chat: Jewels
Wednesday, May 1, 2024, 6:30-7:15 p.m. | Virtual on Facebook LIVE
KC Ballet Dancer Chats, a FREE community engagement and education series, are designed to provide the broader public an opportunity to engage with and learn more about the professional dancers from Kansas City Ballet. Each Dancer Chat features three KCB company dancers chatting about their roles in upcoming KCB productions and sharing aspects of their life journey and dance experiences. These relaxed, informal conversations are moderated by various KCB community professionals. All Dancer Chats take place on Facebook LIVE. www.facebook.com/kcballet
