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The Lark Ascending

wed21aprAll DayThe Lark Ascendingpresented by NWA Ballet Theatre & Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra

Event Details

A metaphorical journey through the natural world, The Lark Ascending is a rite of passage tale embodying the freedom of youth, discovery of self-reliance, and longing for inner peace. The performance will premiere on NWABT and APO social channels, Wednesday, April 21st and is free to the public.

NWA Ballet Theatre, company dancer Carmen DeVora Felder, and Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra during the recording of The Lark Ascending at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. 


NWA Ballet Theatre and Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra present a free virtual dance concert set to Ralph Vaughn Williams’ musical masterpiece, The Lark Ascending,  based on George Meredith’s poem of the same name.  Recorded against the dramatic backdrop of Crystal Bridges’ Great Hall, The Lark Ascending is an intimate and evocative performance showcasing the professional artists from NWA Ballet Theatre (NWABT) and Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra (APO). 

Featuring violin soloist and APO Concert Master, Er-Gene Kahng, and NWABT company dancer, Carmen DeVora Felder, The Lark Ascending premieres on NWABT and APO social media platforms Wednesday, April 21st and is offered as a part of both organizations’ audience accessible outreach programming.  Thoughtful discussion with program collaborators including Kahng and Felder, as well as APO Music Director, Steven Byess, and former NWABT Executive Artistic Director and choreographer, David Justin, is included as a prologue to the performance.  Considerations such as dancer/musician/camera connectivity within a shared space, as well as narrative interpretation, will provide an immersive virtual experience for viewers.  

 

“There is something about The Lark Ascending that lended itself to the suggestion of choreographic movement,” said Byess.  This piece was “crafted with a careful sensitivity to the balance of orchestral voices,” said choreographer David Justin, and results in a “visual harmony worthy of Ralph Vaughn Williams’ moving score.” 


About NWA Ballet Theatre

NWA Ballet Theatre is a multidimensional arts organization that is exciting audiences around the region with vibrant, innovative, classical and contemporary ballet. Founded in 2011 by Margie Bordovsky, Mariah Bordovsky, and the late Peggie Wallis, NWABT is Northwest Arkansas’ only year-round, professional dance company, filling a crucial niche in the region’s performing arts ecosystem. The dance company is made up of 22 professional artists, representing 14 states, who share a collective passion for dance. Throughout the year, NWABT pioneers original works, reimagines familiar classics, and provides audience accessible outreach performances to enrich the cultural landscape of the region. Learn more at http://www.nwaballettheatre.org/​.

About Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra

Under the direction of Maestro Steven Byess, the Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra (APO) performs large masterworks and pops concerts with a contemporary twist. Featuring world class musicians, many from Northwest Arkansas, the APO collaborates with other arts organizations with the aim of introducing art in unexpected ways. The APO reimagines classical works and performs in unconventional venues, with the intention of making art more approachable to everyone, ‘meeting people where they are’. At the core of their mission is a relentless pursuit of the unexpected, where every APO experience is delightfully unpredictable. The APO also offers robust music education programs. In addition to our youth orchestra (APYO), they partner with Carnegie Hall to offer ‘Link Up’ – a symphonic curriculum where students become part of the orchestra.  Learn more at https://arphil.org.

Virtual Event Details

Event has already taken place!

Time

All Day (Wednesday)