The music and lyrics of CARMINA BURANA, playing this weekend (May 21-23, 2010) at the Tulsa PAC.

Carmina Burana will feature the Tulsa Ballet dancers joined by members of Tulsa Opera, Tulsa Oratorio Chorus and Tulsa Symphony Orchestra for a very powerful multi-disciplinary arts experience... In other words, it's a really cool production that combines live choral music, live instrumental music with the dramatic power of dance. All on one stage!

James D. Watts from the The Tulsa World writes: Although composer Carl Orff approved a two-piano-and-percussion version of his “Carmina Burana,” the work was conceived for a large orchestra, one with an unusually large and diverse percussion section. (The score lists 14 percussion instruments — from timpani and three types of cymbals to ratchets and sleigh bells.) Orff’s music often relied on driving, complex rhythms that managed to sound at once primitive and sophisticated, and that achieve an irresistible, elemental power.

“Carmina Burana” is Latin for “Songs from Beuren,” and refers to a collection of 15th century lyrics that ultimately came to reside in a Benedictine monastery in the German town of Beuren.

Orff used 24 of these lyrics in his “Carmina Burana,” which are divided into four sections: “Spring,” “On the Green,” “In the Tavern” and “The Court of Love.”

The thunderous opening “O Fortuna,” which serves as prologue and epilogue, is about the role of fate in human affairs.

Read more from this Tulsa World article at http://www.tulsaworld.com/scene/article.aspx?subjectID=272&articleID=20100520_272_ES10_ByJame62397

In case you don't speak latin or if you've just ever wondered what "O Fortuna" is really about, here is an interesting video clip that shows the original latin text along with the English translation.



You can also read the entire translation here: http://www.classical.net/music/comp.lst/works/orff-cb/carmlyr.php. You might even want to print off a copy to take with you to the theater this weekend so you can follow along (something that I plan to do).

Read even more about the music and lyrics of Carmina Burana: http://www.classical.net/music/comp.lst/works/orff-cb/carmina.php

For tickets to CARMINA BURANA this weekend which is paired with the Oklahoma Premiere of the VERTIGINOUS THRILL OF EXACTITUDE by William Forsythe: http://www.tulsaballet.org/events.asp?id=11&pid=55&task=display

Carmina Burana opens in less than 2 weeks!

Hello Google!

Celebrate Tchaikovsky and ballet with Google.

Who wasn't entertained to see the Google homepage feature a bit of ballet today?

See you at the Prom...!

A fun ending to a very successful run of Pop Culture. Congrats to the entire company for sold-out shows and rave reviews.

The Sleeping Beauty awakens again, this weekend in OKC

If you love ballet, if you enjoy theater, if you appreciate classical music, beautiful sets, lavish costumes or any of the above, you must see The Sleeping Beauty. Tulsa audiences were able to enjoy this fantastic version of the classic in February, and the Company will reprise the ballet in Oklahoma City this weekend, performing Friday, April 2 at 7 pm and Saturday, April 3 at 2 pm. The shows in Tulsa sold out, and sales for this weekend are very high, so reserve your tickets now! I really can't tell you how incredible this production is, so I'll share a few photos from the February dress rehearsals, taken by Ma Cong.


Karina Gonzalez and Wang Yi

Alfonso Martin and Soo Youn Cho

Legs for Miles

Puss and Boots and Blue Birds

The Wicked Carabosse

The set and costumes are truly opulent, and the dancing is spectacular, as always. I can't wait to see it again (for the 5th time this year)!

No worries about the cold weather slated for this weekend. Tulsa Ballet is setting the stage on fire this weekend with the production of The Contemporaries. Tickets begin at only $20. 749-6006.

The company is in the theater putting the finishing touches on The Contemporaries for this weekend, March 19-21. Tickets from $20! 749-6006.

Congratulations to Soo Youn Cho! She was recently promoted to Soloist dancer for Tulsa Ballet. After a year of recovery from an ACL injury, we are all very proud of her determination to represent Tulsa Ballet in such a positive way!

New Video Highlights for The Contemporaries

New at www.tulsaballet.org -- video highlights and an interview with choreographer, Stanton Welch, for the upcoming performance of The Contemporaries, March 19-21.

A quick look of Pop Culture Production Rehearsal

Dear friends,

It was so nice to have all of you came to join us for our Sleeping Beauty production, hope everyone had a lovely, wonderful Valentine's day.

We are starting to rehearse our next production which going to present at PAC in the middle of the March, please find more info at www.tulsaballet.org. It's going to be another wonderful production for those of you who loves contemporary ballets!

Also, I am posting a link that will show you a little bit of my rehearsal for our Pop Culture production in our K-Studio Theater in April, 3 world premieres/creations will be presented here at Tulsa, Oklahoma. Hope you all will also join us for all these wonderful programs/productions!

A new creation by Ma Cong, Studio rehearsal:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooEwe8ySpbc

Thanks!

Ma Cong

Ma Cong's Temporal debuts in Ohio

Tulsa Ballet's own (we can claim him forever, right?) Ma Cong continues to share his art with the world. His recent creation for BalletMet in Columbus, Ohio was very well received and further establishes him as a truly talented and innovative choreographer on the national level. Read the review of opening night here.

Ma, your Tulsa audience eagerly awaits your next creation. Ma's next work will premiere in Tulsa on April 15 at Studio K and will run through April 25.

THIS WEEKEND ONLY-THE SLEEPING BEAUTY

THREE SHOWS ONLY, THIS WEEKEND. Tulsa Ballet performs The Sleeping Beauty at the Tulsa PAC, Feb. 12--14 with sets and costumes designed by 2-time Tony Award winner, Desmond Heeley. Tickets begin at only $15. www.tulsaballet.org