A fire god, opium dreams, crashing temples and live snakes are part of Houston Ballet’s La BayadÄŤre coming to the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium courtesy of Alberta Ballet on May 8 and 9.
The work of famed artistic director Marius Petipa reimagined by Houston’s Stanton Welch, La BayadÄŤre (The Temple Dancer) conjures up exotic dreams with Indian-themed sets and Bollywood-like costumes.
Set in India’s royal past, the two-act ballet is a full-scale drama of eternal love, mystery, fate, vengeance and justice intertwined to tell the story of Nikiya, a temple dancer and her lover Solor.
Bound to the temple gods as a dancer, Nikiya falls in love against her better judgment with Solor, after he kills a tiger. Her troubles increase when the Rajah rewards Solor for slaying the tiger by offering his daughter Gamzatti in marriage.
The villainous Gamzatti, jealous of Solor’s love for the temple dancer, promptly dispatches her with the aid of a deadly snake. But the gods take their vengeance and destroy the temple on the wedding day of Gamzatti and Solor. And in the stunning climax Solor follows Nikiya joining her spirit in the afterlife.
Tickets for the Edmonton show start at $29. Call 780-428-6839 or purchase online at ticket.albertaballet.com.
The Mill Creek Colliery Band announces The Last Night of the Proms to be performed on Friday, May 8 at Robertson-Wesley United Church.
The 28-piece British style brass band waves the Union Jack with crossover works that include A London Celebration, Doctor Who, Yesterday and The Force of Destiny.
Principal conductor David Hoyt leads the band and the featured soloist is euphonium player Chris Diaper playing Endearing Young Charms.
The concert is at 7 p.m. Robertson-Wesley is at 10209 – 123 St. Tickets are $15 to $20. No charge for youth under 18. Advance tickets are available at 780-420-1757 or online at tixonthesquare.ca
