Bring the stories of the ballets alive.
Tell The Tale: Coppélia
Setting: A little town in Galicia, in Eastern Europe. Located between modern-day Poland and Ukraine.
Meet the Characters
Frantz’ fiancée is […]
Swanhilda
Frantz’ fiancée is […]
The Story of Giselle-Act 2
The curtain opens in a dark and gloomy forest on the banks of a pond. Giselle’s tombstone can be seen at the left; the bluish gleam of the moon gives a cold and misty appearance to the scene. Several gamekeepers arrive, hoping to set up an observation post, but Hilarion warns them away: […]
The Story of Giselle-Act 1
As the curtain rises on a picturesque scene in a small German village, vinegatherers depart for the harvest. Hilarion the gamekeeper arrives, hoping to see the lovely Giselle. He hides when his rival Albrecht—really a Duke disguised as a peasant named Loys—emerges from his cottage, with his squire Wilfride. Wilfride begs his master […]
Tell The Tale: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
ACT I – A forest near Athens, one Midsummer eve
The First Act takes place in a forest near the duke’s palace. Oberon, King of the Fairies, and Titania, his queen, quarrel over the Indian child they both want. Oberon orders Puck to bring the flower pierced by Cupid’s arrow (which […]
Tell the Tale: The Sleeping Beauty
Each moment of Pacific Northwest Ballet’s production of The Sleeping Beauty faithfully portrays the beloved fairy tale with grand classical ballet, Tchaikovsky’s treasured music, magnificent sets, and exquisite costumes. Delivering this February’s most perfect Valentine, The Sleeping Beauty at PNB promises a complete happily-ever-after experience for all ages.
Prologue – The Christening
In the fairytale […]
Tell The Tale: Don Quixote-Act 1
Act I, Scene I
In Don Quixote’s study, his niece Joanna is talking to Carasco, his servant. They are worried about the Don, who is slowly but surely being driven mad by all his reading. They therefore decide to hide the Don’s books.
Meanwhile, Don Quixote comes into the study, totally […]
The Story of Don Quixote-Act 2
Act II, Scene I
On a plateau in the mountains, a troupe of traveling actors has set up camp. Kitri and Basilio appear and ask the actors to help them escape. While the group performs, Kitri and Basilio put on costumes and join in. When Lorenzo and Gamache arrive at the camp, they are […]
The Story of Don Quixote-Act 3
Act III, Scene I
Kitri and Basilio are enjoying themselves with Espada, Mercedes, and a group of friends in a tavern filled with gypsies, bullfighters, and other high-spirited folk. Kitri thinks she has escaped her forced marriage to Gamache. Unfortunately, it is not so easy, as her […]
Artistic Director’s Notebook: Christopher Wheeldon’s Polyphonia
Artistic Director’s Notebook: Christopher Wheeldon’s Polyphonia
POLYPHONIA©
Music: György Ligeti (Desordre from Études pour piano, premier livre, 1985; Arc-en-ciel from Études pour piano, premier livre, 1985; No. 4 Tempo di Valse from Musica Ricercata, 1951-53; Invention, 1948; No. […]
Artistic Director’s Notebook: After the Rain
Artistic Director’s Notebook: After the Rain
After the Rain pas de deux
Music: Arvo Pärt (Spiegel im Spiegel, 1978)
Choreography: Christopher Wheeldon
Staging: Damian Smith
Costume Design: Holly Hynes
Lighting Design: Mark Stanley
PREMIERE: January 22, 2005; New York […]