Ballet West: Carmina Burana

Ballet West brings Carmina Burana to the Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre this April, with performances running from Friday, April 9, through Saturday, April 17. It's a double bill that pairs two very different styles of ballet in one evening.

The first half is Nicolo Fonte's choreography set to Carl Orff's Carmina Burana, a score known for its earthy, visceral power. The second is George Balanchine's Symphony in C, set to Georges Bizet's Symphony No. 1 in C major. Balanchine's piece is a neoclassical staple, often described as "seeing the music, hearing the dance." It runs in four movements, each featuring a different principal ballerina, cavalier, and demi-soloist couple, along with a full corps de ballet. The whole thing builds to a finale where all 52 dancers take the stage in white tutus. A full chorus suspended above the stage rounds out the staging. The Utah Arts Review called it a "stunning spectacle."

Between the two, you've got Fonte's more grounded, visceral work on one side and Balanchine's airy, neoclassical precision on the other. The performance runs about an hour and 45 minutes, which includes a 20-minute intermission. It's recommended for ages 8 and up, and late seating is allowed through the Overture, then resumes at intermission.

There are six performances to choose from: Friday, April 9, at 7:30 PM; Saturday, April 10, at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM; Thursday, April 15, at 7:30 PM; and Saturday, April 17, at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM. Doors open one hour before each show. Tickets start at $30, with student tickets $15 during the week of the performance and $20 on the day of the show.