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Nashville Ballet Announces 30th Anniversary Season, Carmina Burana Returns

– Nashville Ballet celebrates its upcoming 30th anniversary season with the organization’s favorite ballets, stories and artists. The 2015-2016 performance season will include recent favorites Peter Pan and Attitude, repertory classics Nashville’s Nutcracker, Dracula and Carmina Burana, and the world premiere of Layla.

“To celebrate our 30th anniversary season, we are bringing back some of the biggest stories throughout the last 30 years as well as presenting brand new works,” Nashville Ballet Artistic Director & CEO Paul Vasterling said. “What started as six dancers has become one of the most well-known regional professional companies in the South, thanks to the support, generosity and devotion of Nashville.”

Season tickets for Nashville Ballet’s 2015-2016 performance season go on sale to the public Wednesday, April 1 and can be purchased at www.nashvilleballet.com or by calling (615) 297-2966 x710. Tickets to individual performances go on sale Wednesday, July 1.

Nashville Ballet’s 2015-2016 30th anniversary season will include:

Peter Pan, featuring the Nashville Symphony

After a successful premiere in 2013, Nashville Ballet returns to the magical world of Neverland, following Peter on his adventures with a villainous Captain Hook, a man-eating crocodile and a meddling Tinker Bell. With choreography by Nashville Ballet’s own Vasterling, this epic, family-friendly production tells the classic story of the boy who doesn’t want to grow up.

“To paraphrase J.M. Barrie’s timeless character, Nashville Ballet’s Peter Pan promises an ‘awfully big adventure…’” – John Pitcher, ArtsNash.com

Peter Pan will be held at TPAC’s Jackson Hall for four performances, Sept. 18-20, 2015.

Dracula with Afternoon of a Faun and Satto

Just in time for Halloween, Dracula’s classic tale of love, lust and blood returns to Nashville Ballet for the first time since 2007. Vasterling’s original choreography resurrects the craving for all things sensual and forbidden, exploring the carnal desires and yearning emotions of the body and heart. Dracula is set to the classical sounds of Czech composer Bohuslav Martin?.

“Based loosely on Bram Stoker’s Dracula, this production is not a literal translation but more of an abstract depiction of the major events and emotions of this gothic tale. It’s dark and sensual and the perfect way to celebrate Halloween,” Vasterling said.

Afternoon of a Faun and Satto, both choreographed by the late Salvatore Aiello, complement Dracula with their sensual stories of a Faun coming of age and the dance between a falling leaf and the God of Wind.

Dracula with Afternoon of a Faun and Satto will be held at TPAC’s Polk Theater for three performances, Oct. 22-24, 2015.

Nashville’s Nutcracker, featuring the Nashville Symphony

Nashville’s version of the timeless holiday classic returns for the eighth season, celebrating the joy and wonder of the holidays. More than 200 dancers perform to tell the tale of young Clara as she goes on a fantastic adventure through the Land of Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets, visiting with beloved characters from Nashville’s historic past, as well as the magical Sugar Plum Fairy, the Mouse King, her Nutcracker and more.

“A seamless blend of past and present, Nashville’s Nutcracker captures all the magic of the season.” –Amy Stumpfl, The Tennessean

Nashville’s Nutcracker will be held at TPAC’s Jackson Hall for 13 performances, Dec. 5-23, 2015.

Attitude with Petite Mort and Outerborough

This acclaimed annual series brings the best of Nashville’s thriving arts community together to highlight some of the most unique and inspirational collaborations in Music City. Thought-provoking, contemporary ballet with live music from local musicians infuses some of the city’s finest talent into the world of dance. This year’s presentation of Attitude features the revival of 2014’s Petite Mort, the Nashville Ballet premiere of Outerborough choreographed by the renowned James Sewell, and a collaboration with Music City musicians and favorite guest choreographers to be announced at a later date.

"Nashville Ballet's Attitude series is a wonderful way to build community and inspire new creative connections," Vasterling said. "Presenting new forms of art and collaborating with talented local musicians and guest choreographers illustrates how passionate we are about creating innovative art of all kinds. Attitude is the embodiment of Nashville’s thriving, collaborative arts community.”

Attitude will be held at TPAC’s Polk Theater for four performances, Feb. 11-14, 2016.

Carmina Burana with the WORLD PREMIERE of Layla

Performed by almost 300 artists, Carmina Burana returns with one of the most recognizable pieces of music in the world by Carl Orff. The Nashville Children’s Choir, the Nashville Symphony Orchestra Chorus, the Nashville Symphony and featured guests vocalists join Nashville Ballet dancers on stage for this production of epic proportions. Based on a collection of 13th century poems written by clergy and theology students, Carmina Burana and Vasterling’s choreography examine love, fortune and the cycle of life.

Carmina Burana is such a grand, impressive production,” Vasterling said. “It’s truly one of my favorites to share with Nashville and to have the opportunity to present it during our 30th anniversary season alongside Layla, which is a new piece I’ve been working on for a while now, is a real treat.”

Layla is an original ballet adaptation of the pre-Muslim, Middle Eastern myth of Layla and Majnun. Presented to original music by renowned American composer Richard Danielpour, this multi-cultural ballet delves deeply into the nature of love and devotion, reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet, and ultimately exposes the true nature of an artist.

Carmina Burana with the WORLD PREMIERE of Layla will be held at TPAC’s Jackson Hall for four performances, April 21-24, 2016.

About Nashville Ballet
Nashville Ballet is the largest professional ballet company in Tennessee. Nashville Ballet presents a varied repertoire of classical ballet and contemporary works by noted choreographers, including original works by Artistic Director & CEO Paul Vasterling. Nashville Ballet and the second company NB2 (a pre-professional training company) serve nearly 60,000 adults and children annually through performances and our outreach and community engagement programming. Curriculum-based outreach programs bring dance education to community centers, colleges, public libraries and public elementary, middle and high schools across the state. School of Nashville Ballet provides world-class instruction in ballet and other forms of dance for dancers of all ages.
 

Nashville Ballet is funded in part by Ingram Charitable Trust, Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission, Tennessee Arts Commission, Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund, The Shubert Foundation, Caterpillar Financial, The Memorial Foundation, Publix Super Market Charities, The HCA Foundation, The Dollar General Foundation, The Mall at Green Hills, Gateway Tire and Service Centers and thousands of individuals who contribute to our annual operating fund.