One year after its cancellation, Ballet Arizona will finally premiere Ib Andersen’s The Four Seasons at Desert Botanical Garden on May 18th and will be presented Tuesdays through Saturdays until June 5th .
The ballet set to Antonio Vivaldi’s composition of the same name cycles through winter, spring, summer, and fall, an opportune reflection of the last twelve months. The Four Seasons is also a momentous occasion: the company’s return to in-person, live performances.
Desert Botanical Garden has also served as the backdrop and environment for other debuts including Eroica, Topia and Round.
The Four Seasons at Desert Botanical Garden
School of Ballet Arizona Performs Swan Lake
Complementing Ballet Arizona’s season at Desert Botanical Garden is School of Ballet Arizona – the company’s training and feeder organization – and Phoenix Youth Symphony Orchestras’ presentation of Swan Lake.
This inaugural collaboration features what is considered by many to be the epitome of classical ballet set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score.
“This collaboration with SBAZ is by far the largest and most extensive production undertaken by two youth arts organizations ever in Phoenix,” said Matthew Kasper, Phoenix Youth Symphony Orchestras artistic and general director. “Not only is this a wonderful opportunity for PYSO’s musicians that will give them the experience of performing an entire ballet with a ballet school at a breathtaking venue such as the Desert Botanical Garden, but it is also going to be an amazing experience for the entire Phoenix Arts Community. We felt it was important to keep the arts going in Phoenix during the pandemic and I believe this will be a clear signal to all that the arts are and will continue to thrive in Phoenix.”
Swan Lake will be performed on May 30, May 31, and June 6 to already sold out crowds, an indication of the community’s support and excitement to be a part of live arts again.
Featured Photo of Desert Botanical Garden courtesy of Ballet Arizona
