Celebrating 50 years at Pacific Northwest Ballet — Seattle, WA
The Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB) is one of the most admired and largest ballet companies in the US.
As it starts it’s 50th season, they have a coveted spot in the top 10 best ballet companies and top 5 famous ballet schools in the United States.
My husband won tickets at work for the Sunday showing at 1pm. And I’m so happy that we got to enjoy the opening ballet works of PNB’s 50th season together.
What makes the Pacific Northwest Ballet different?
Style
The PNB has a graceful Balanchine ballet style that’s met with a modern edge for a spectacular performance. In the opening performance of the season, you see PNB’s unique style in each ballet excerpt of the performance.
During a Q&A with artistic director Peter Boal, he explained that the dancers show a wide range of abilities in their technique and style of ballet. Each choreographer is as different and unique as each dancer. Choreographers imagine how they want ballet steps and expressions to look and the dancers truly make it come to life.
PNB is at the top of the list for artistic and versatile dancers.
New Works Initiative
Every new choreographer has to start somewhere, right? PNB created the New Works Initiative in 2005 to fund new choreographers' creative visions in the ballet world and within the ballet company. This has led to over 100 new works since the initiative was founded.
The initiative has showcased work from Justin Peck, Alexei Ratmansky, and Jessica Lang, just to name a few. Learning about this initiative and hearing how supportive PNB is of new talent is like a breath of fresh air. I love to see dancers support each other within the dance community.
Donations are used to fund choreographers, lighting, costumes, scene designs, music, and more. Make a donation here to jumpstart a new choreographer's vision.
Music
Not only is the ballet company one of the best in the country, but PNB’s orchestra has also made it’s way to the top of the list as well. It’s no wonder considering music director, Emil de Cou’s, years of experience with various ballet companies. He even collaborated with NASA on the “Salute to Apollo, the Kenedy Legacy”!
PNB had a live chorus during Carmina Burana to add to the story of the ballet. Absolutely incredible and powerful singers. And they didn’t even need a microphone.
Now, let’s talk about the main event. The ballet.
Allegro Brillante
A popular Balanchine piece that’s choreographed to Tchaikovsky's last piece of music he wrote. Balanced between quick moving ensembles and slow, peaceful sections, this ballet is in every sense of the word — graceful, elegant, and soft.
The allegro reminded me of a piece that I performed in middle school, right down to the soft green costumes with knee length skirts. Personally, I felt an immediate connection through the dancers’ smiling faces.
Allegro Brillante is a beautiful, classical ballet piece.
Wartime Elegy
Dedicated to the people of Ukraine, the world premiere of Wartime Elegy was unique, fun, and playful. To be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But it was one of my favorite numbers from the program.
Born in Russia and raised in Ukraine, Alexei Ratmansky has been vocal about his feelings toward the war. However, this ballet focuses on the Ukrainian people in a nonpolitical way. It’s a beautiful tribute to Ukrainian culture and strength. Many times during this ballet, dancers help each other up and lean on each other for support. It’s clear that Alexei loves his Ukrainian heritage and cares about it’s people.
Well done Alexei!
Carmina Burana
If you love theatre, you’ll love Carmina Burana. Translated to “Songs of Beuren”, Carmina Burana is a collection of songs and poems from the 1200’s. Between the golden wheel of fortune by Ming Cho Lee to set the stage, the live chorus and music, and the medieval costumes, the dancers bring these songs to life.
As the dancers perform underneath the wheel, it depicts the changing motions of life that we don’t always have control over. The contrasts in costumes and music in the Burana reminds us that life is always changing, whether we’re ready for change or not.
Overall, it was a beautiful performance. Each ballet is so unique with a different story that relates to different people. That’s one of my favorite things about ballet. The story it tells and the people it connects with.
A Few PNB Tips
The entire program was 2 hours and 15 minutes with a 25 minute intermission. When you enter the doors, there are stairs that lead to a lounge type area with some snacks and a bar. Surprisingly, the bar is reasonably priced.
Don’t forget to pre-order drinks for intermission so you can skip the line. The bartenders set out your order on a table next to the bar with your name — just grab and sip.
We sat in the gallery seats. I would pick gallery seats again. We were a little bit higher than the stage but still close enough to see the amazing dancers. It was very comfortable, with no sore necks from looking up or sideways.
Thinking about visiting Pacific Northwest Ballet’s next performance?
Check out their season schedule here!
