Lourdes Lopez began the new era of the Miami City Ballet
Meet Lourdes Lopez, Miami City Ballet’s new artistic director
It could not have been a better opening night for an artist who left Miami in the 70s seeking opportunities in the field of classical dance which at the time this city could not offer. Lourdes Lopez, Miami City Ballet’s new artistic director was nervous, yet calm and radiant in one of the most important nights of her career.
On October 19th, The company launched the 2012-2013 season with quite an eclectic program which they called “Fire and Ice”. For Lourdes Lopez it was a dream come true, being at the helm of the Miami City Ballet in a city inundated with so many cultural activities and surrounded by the love and support of the community. The evening began with some heartfelt words from Ms. Lopez.
Snow scene from “Nutcracker”, 2012-2013 Season. Lourdes Lopez is Miami City Ballet new artistic director. (Courtesy Miami City Ballet)
Lourdes Lopez on the direction of the Miami City Ballet
In her opening remarks she thanked and gave credit to Toby Lerner Ansin and to Edward Villela (former Artistic Director) for their vision in identifying the need in South Florida for a world-class ballet company. Ms. Lopez, a Miami resident who moved to New York to pursue a career in dance at a very early age, is happy to be back in Miami, a city that she loves almost as much as she loves dancing.
The program consisted of three well-known ballets. Les Patineurs (The Skating Party), Choreography by Sir Frederick Ashton, Music by Giacomo Meyerbeer, was first performed in 1937 in London and to this day continues to be a crowd pleaser because of its beautiful music and wintery scenery.
The second featured ballet was Apollo. Apollo is both George Balanchine’s first great work and the first work on which he collaborated with Stravinsky. The ballet is a narrative work which follows the ancient myth of the god, Apollo. The ballet opens with Apollo’s first variation, the young poet playing the lute. He is then joined by the three Muses who inspire and direct his energy. The three dance with Apollo and then individually with him until he realizes his role as the god of beauty and light.
The third ballet of the night was Piazzola Caldera, choreographed by Paul Taylor, music by Astor Piazzola and Jerry Peterburshsky. This ballet describes the predatory dance that originated in the brothels of Buenos Aires at the turn of the 20th Century. The music of Tango with Spanish, Italian, Indian, African and Jewish influences was taken to new heights by Astor Piazzola. Without a single Tango step, Paul Taylor captures the essence of Tango Culture. Miami City Ballet was the first dance company outside of the Paul Taylor Dance Company to be licensed to perform the work. All three ballets were executed with the precision and elegance that the company has become famous for.
We wish Lourdes Lopez and the Miami City Ballet company continued success as they enter this new era and we look forward to working together to celebrate the 500 years of Florida.
Patricia Delgado, Marc Spielberger and Callie Manning in Piazzolla Caldera. Lourdes Lopez is Miami City Ballet new artistic director. (Photo / Steven Caras)