RODEO WITH CONCERTO BAROCCO AND RETURN TO A STRANGE LAND
Ready for a hoe-down? This evening is the perfect three-course meal! After having to postpone in 2020, the Ballet West premiere of Agnes de Mille’s Rodeo is finally here—now on a triple-bill, paired with two additional powerhouse masterpieces.

The program opens with Concerto Barocco, set to Bach’s Concerto for two violins.  It is a soaring example of George Balanchine’s clean, elegant, and musical aesthetic. In 1965, Balanchine generously gave Ballet West founder, Willam Christensen, this beautiful work to help get the fledgling company off the ground. After nearly 20 years since it was last seen on the Capitol Theatre stage, one of Balanchine’s greatest creations returns this season.

Return to a Strange Land is a soulful ode to loss and longing. Using his signature style, both powerfully acrobatic and poetic, renowned Czech choreographer Jiří Kylián created this heart-stopping gem after the sudden loss of his friend and mentor, choreographer John Cranko. Return to a Strange Land is a haunting work to Janacek solo piano pieces for six dancers on a stage strewn with autumn leaves.

Agnes de Mille, the niece of cinematic legend Cecil B. DeMille, choreographed great stage productions such as Oklahoma!, Carousel, and Brigadoon. Her charming 1942 one-act story, Rodeo—set to Aaron Copland’s buoyant, well-known score—represents the very pinnacle of Americana in classical ballet. It’s the sweet, simple story of a cowgirl who longs to be one of the guys, and who loses, but then finds, her heart along the way.