The Tallahassee Ballet Shines in An Evening of Music and Dance
The Tallahassee Ballet lit up the stage at the Opperman Music Hall on September 14 with its annual concert entitled An Evening of Music and Dance. Artistic Director Henry Hernandez presented a mix of classical and contemporary works with this year's baroque theme. The long time collaboration of TTB with the Florida State University College of Music and new Music Director Deloise Lima made this intimate performance shine.
Choreographed by Mr. Hernandez, a contemporary pas de deux set on Dido's Lament (Purcell) began the evening. This was a pliant and poetic work beautifully performed by TTB dancers Colae Logue and Jason MacDonald, and powerfully augmented by soprano Christina Villaverde with harpsichord and cello accompaniment.
Hernandez' second offering of the evening—set to another Purcell piece—featured two male dancers in juxtaposition (Side by Side). One was dressed classically, the other in modern dance attire; and they ably interpreted the complex and clever classical-versus-modern choreography.
The troupe also performed new works by talented guest choreographers Dionne Sparkman Noble, Katia Garza, and Kathryn Cashin. With its seamless and swooping choreography, Ms. Noble's Around and Re-Seed (Bach) elicited great audience approval. Katia Garza's Shadows of Grey (Stravinsky) came next, a work full of challenging steps, fragility, and beauty. Filled with moments of romantic attraction and costumed in elegant, edgy black and gold, Kathryn Cashin's Galanterien (Bach) was a stylish, clean piece spotlighting Etienne Diaz and showcasing sheer inventive movements. Greg Sauer's solo cello performance in both Bach pieces gave them extra depth and richness.
The concert concluded very strongly with Character of Love, choreographed by Mr. Hernandez and set on Cantata for Soprano by Alessandro Melani. This work was a perfect combination of choreography and music. The dancers were dressed in sumptuous red costumes designed by Ann Todd, TTB's Resident Costume Designer; and flowing, gauzy red scarves were incorporated into their movements. To stunning theatrical impact, Soprano Villaverde opened the ballet standing center stage, dressed in the same red shade as the dancers and singing forte. Hernandez' ability to involve the audience in this journey through the interpretation of love made one realize that choreography is infinitely more than a series of beautiful steps.