A New Dance Film by State Ballet of Georgia

Northrop welcomes the artists of State Ballet of Georgia in an original film created especially with our audiences in mind. This online performance includes gala-style excerpts of ballet repertory, interviews with Artistic Director Nina Ananiashvili and featured dancers, and footage and history of the beautiful State Opera and Ballet Theatre and City of Tbilisi. Ballets featured in the film will include Laurencia, premiered in 1939 by Vakhtang Chabukiani, a famed and beloved choreographer born in Tbilisi; Sagalobeli, a 2007 ballet choreographed to Georgian folk melodies by Yuri Possokhov; Leonid Lavrovsky’s Romeo and Juliet, which was the first full version choreographed to Prokofiev’s score; and a taste of The State Ballet of Georgia’s Giselle which had been planned for this time period.

“Remarkable dancers...a Ballet company unlike most others." (The Washington Post)

"Clips of the company performing suggest a top ensemble ... Among the beautifully filmed moments is Giselle on a rooftop, backed by twilight views over the city." (Charlotte Kasner, Seeing Dance)

This film will be subtitled in English, with other accessibility services available upon request.

Program Notes

Kari Schloner

Greetings! I am so pleased you are joining us for this very special new dance film created by The State Ballet of Georgia, especially for Northrop audiences. The State Ballet of Georgia was originally slated to close Northrop’s 2019-20 Dance Series on April 29, 2020 and I was eagerly anticipating their performance.

The last time The State Ballet of Georgia was at Northrop was in 2008. That was before my time on the Northrop staff, but I was here. I was here with the company as their tour manager and so, twelve years later, I was looking forward to once again welcoming them to the United States. When the COVID-19 crisis shut down large gatherings, live entertainment, and international travel, Northrop worked to reschedule their performance into the 2020-21 season. Little did we know at the time that almost a full year later, we would still be facing limitations that would prohibit them from gracing our stage in person.

Instead of coming to us, The State Ballet of Georgia has found a way to transport us virtually to them, in Tbilisi, Georgia. Together, with artistic director Nina Ananiashvili as our guide, we will walk the streets of the Georgian capital city, enter through the doors of the beautiful State Opera and Ballet Theatre, and witness stunning excerpts of Vakhtang Chabukiani’s Laurencia, Yuri Possokhov’s Sagalobelli, Leonid Lavrovsky’s Romeo and Juliet, and Marius Petipa’s Giselle performed just for us on their home stage. This inside look into their world and their work offers a new dimension to a company that Northrop audiences love. Enjoy the journey!

Over the past several weeks I have felt a renewed sense of hope and anticipation that we will once again be able to gather together in the theater in person in the not-so-distant future. To that end, we are working diligently to assemble an exciting season to welcome you back safely next fall. In the meantime, we have many upcoming virtual and in-person events in the coming weeks.

Join us for an online performance by Victor Quijada’s company RUBBERBAND as they perform Vic’s Mix – a “best of” compilation of Quijada’s repertoire. The online premiere on April 8 will include a Q&A with Victor Quijada, and the performance will be available on-demand for a full week.

If you’re eager to come back to the theater in person, Grammy award-winning Paul Jacobs will perform at Northrop on the historic Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ on April 13.  Jacobs performed with the Minnesota Orchestra for the restored pipe organ’s inaugural concert in 2018 and quickly became an audience favorite. His program of works by Bach and Handel will showcase the unique and remarkable sound of the Northrop pipe organ. This concert will also be available to view as a live stream, from the comfort of your home.

The 2020-21 Spotlight Series presented by the Institute for Advanced Study, Northrop, and the University Honors Program, has focused on Polarization and Identities. This has been a series of conversations across different identities and ideologies, moderated by Star Tribune editorial writer John Rash. The series wraps up on April 15 with a look back at the five discussions in the series, and a dialogue around Politics in Higher Education. I hope you will join us, and take a moment to check out our full list of upcoming events.

Again, thank you for joining us. I am especially grateful to our subscribers and donors. Now more than ever before, it is your active involvement that will ensure Northrop can continue bringing world-class artists and performances to Twin Cities audiences – now and for generations to come. Enjoy the evening!

Gratefully,

 

Kari Schloner
Director of Northrop

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Concerto Barocco

Photo courtesy of The State Ballet of Georgia

Artistic Director: Nina Ananiashvili

Staff Administrative Director: Mariam Eristavi
Company Manager: Kakhaber Andriadze
Light Manager: Nata Chedilashvili
Chief Stagehand: Gia Geladze
Ballet Master/Wardrobe Manager: Nino Ochiauri
Ballet Master/Wardrobe Manager: Ekaterina Shavliashvili

Concertmaster: Gulnara Khuberashvili
Wardrobe: Maia Revazishvili
Technical Specialist: Gela Pezuashvili
Stage Manager: Tsitsia Cholokashvili
Public Relations Manager: Ilia Tavberidze
Concert Master: Kristine Khingava

Stagehand: Mikheil Natroshvili
Stage Manager: Niala Godziashvili
Light Manager: Iveta Ananiashvili
North America Tour Coordination: OZ Productions/Offer Zaks

Soloists: 
Nutsa Chekurashvili, Ruika Yokoyama, Ekaterine Surmava, Nino Samadashvili, Yonen Takano, Andrii Havryliuk, Philip Fedulov, David Ananeli, Kai Kanzaki

Corps de Ballet: Mari Eloshvili, Vera Kikabidze, Nino Makhashvili, Lana Mghebrishvili, Shorena Khaindrava, Tamta Jashiashvili

Ina Azmaiparashvili, Teona Akhobadze, Tamta Bakhtadze, Alisa Bogdanova, Maka Bunturi, Nia Geladze, Lana Gogisvanidze, Nino Gulordava, Olga Dolidze, Stephanie Watkinson, Svetlana Kiknadze, Teona Kopaleishvili, Ekaterine Makhachashvili, Nino Megrelishvili, Ana Modebadze, Tamar Revia, Natalia Rigvava, Ana Tkeshelashvili, Lara Tkeshelashvili, Salome Panchvidze, Mariam Kardava, Ana Ksovreli, Nino Tskhvediani, Nino Khakhutashvili, Mari Lomjaria

Giorgi Bestavashvili, Papuna Kapanadze, Nikoloz Pheikrishvili, Melor Zhorzholiani, Yudai Colaianni, Joao Paulo, Wandega Jezler, Andrea Porro, Diego Buttiglione

General information about the ballet performances used in the film.

Excerpts from:

Chopiniana
Staged by: Nina Ananiashvili
Music: Frédéric Chopin
Tbilisi Opera and Ballet State Theatre Orchestra Conductor: Davit Mukeria

Marguerite and Armand
Choreography by: Frederick Ashton
Music: F. Liszt, Sonata in h-Moll
Tbilisi Opera and Ballet State Theatre Orchestra Conductor: Davit Mukeria
Piano: Tamar Machavariani
Leading Soloists: Nina Ananiashvili and Vasil Akhmeteli

Giselle
Choreography by: Jean Coralli, Jules Perrot and Marius Petipa
Choreographic Version and Staging by: Alexey Fadeechev
Music: Adolphe Adam
Tbilisi Opera and Ballet State Theatre Orchestra Conductor: Papuna Gvaberidze
Leading Soloists: Ekaterine Surmava, Ruika Yokoyama, Yonen Takano,  Nina Ananiashvili Vasil Akhmeteli

Serenade
Choreography by: George Balanchine
Music: Pyotr Tchaikovsky
Tbilisi Opera and Ballet State Theatre Orchestra Conductor: Davit Mukeria

Mozartiana
Choreography by: George Balanchine
Music: Pyotr Tchaikovsky
Tbilisi Opera and Ballet State Theatre Orchestra Conductor: Davit Mukeria
Leading Soloist: Ekaterine Surmava

Symphony in C
Choreography by: George Balanchine
Music: Georges Bizet, Symphony No. 1 in C major
Tbilisi Opera and Ballet State Theatre Orchestra Conductor: Davit Mukeria

Romeo and Juliet
Libretto, Choreographic Version and Staging by: Mikail Lavrovsky Music: Sergei Proko Fiev
Tbilisi Opera and Ballet State Theatre Orchestra Conductor: Alevtina Ioffe
Leading Soloists: Nutsa Chekurashvili, Philip Fedulov, David Ananeli

Laurencia
Choreography: Vakhtang Chabukiani
New choreographic version and staging by: Nina Ananiashvili
Music: Alexander Krein
Tbilisi Opera and Ballet State Theatre Orchestra Conductor: Papuna Gvaberidze
Leading Soloists: Philip Fedulov, Ruika Yokoyama, Nino Samadashvili

The Sleeping Beauty
Choreography by Marius Petipa
New Choreographic Version and Staging by: Alexey Fadeechev and Nina Ananiashvili
Music: Pyotr Tchaikivsky
Tbilisi Opera and Ballet State Theatre Orchestra Conductor: Papuna Gvaberidze
Leading Soloists: Nutsa Chekurashvili, Yonen Takano

Sagalobeli
Choreography by: Yuri Possokhov
Music: Folk music instrumental band “Changi“  
Leading Soloists: Nino Gogua, Vasil Akhmeteli

The Nutcracker
Choreography by: Alexey Fadeechev and Nina Ananiashvili
Music: Pyotr Tchaikivsky
Tbilisi Opera and Ballet State Theatre Orchestra Conductor: Papuna Gvaberidze
Leading Soloists: Mariam Eloshvili, Andrea Porro, Nutsa Chekurashvili Yonen Takano

Ballet company: State Ballet of Georgia

Sagalobeli - line of dancers in silhouette against a red-orange background

Sagalobeli. Photo © Jack Devant Ballet Photography.

The first ballet performance in Tbilisi, Georgia, was in 1852 when the St. Petersburg Ballet Company performed at the Ballet State Theatre. Some of the famous company members included Anna Pavlova, Feodor Manokhin, and E. Panov, who presented the second act of Filippo Talion’s ballet La Sylphida and Polka-Vengerka. One year later, Feodor Manokhin staged the second act of Giselle. The first full-version ballet followed in 1854, again by Manokhin, Talion’s three-act ballet Gitana-The Spanish Gypsy.

In the 1880s and 1890s, the St. Petersburg Emperor Ballet Theatre performed in Tbilisi and dancers including Sofia Fedorova, Isadora Duncan, Vera Fokina, and Mikhail Fokine appeared on stage. During this time, Mikhail Fokine was staging his first innovative ballet, which later earned him recognition in Paris as part of the Diaghilev Seasons.

In 1891, Italian dancer Maria Perini, who was a student of Italian dancer Enrico Cecchetti, made her foreign debut at the Tbilisi Opera Theatre and famously wowed audiences with her 32 fouettes performing in Swan Lake. For the first time, Georgian audiences witnessed the level of ballet art abroad. From 1897 to 1907, Perini was prima ballerina at the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre and later taught ballet. She founded the first choreographic studio for classical dances, lived in Georgia for 48 years and considered it her second homeland. Her methods of classical teaching prepared a solid foundation for the creation of Georgian ballet. Before returning to Italy in 1936, Perini attended the first Georgian ballet, Andria Balanchivadze’s Mzechabuki (known as The Heart of Mountains in the following performances), staged by her student Vakhtang Chabukiani, and it became clear to her that Georgian ballet was in safe hands.

Chabukiani graduated from the Leningrad Choreographic School in 1929, worked in the Kirov Opera and Ballet (Mariinsky) Theatre and performed all the leading roles from the classical repertory. He staged The Heart of Mountains in the Mariinsky Theatre after the Tbilisi performance; A. Krein’s ballet Laurencia was his next success, staged in Kirov in 1939. Chabukiani returned to Tbilisi in 1941 and managed the Opera and Ballet State Theatre’s Ballet Company until 1973, working as the Director of The Tbilisi Choreographic School at the same time and raising generations of Georgian ballet stars.

In the beginning of the 1970s, the Ballet Company named Gogi Aleksidze as its artistic director. Aleksidze was Feodor Lopoukhov’s student and who founded the “Young Ballet” group in Leningrad during the 1990s. Raised on Lopoukhov’s ideas and innovations, Aleksidze brought a new esthetic to the theater. Neoclassical ballets became part of the repertory alongside classical works. The company’s next artistic director from 1982 to 1985 was Mikhail Lavrovsky, who was a widely known Bolshoi Theatre dancer and choreographer.

Since September 2004, Nina Ananiashvili has been artistic director at Z. Paliashvili Tbilisi Opera and Ballet State Theatre as well as principal at V. Chabukiani Choreographic State School. Under Ananiashvili’s leadership, more than 60 ballets and miniatures have been staged at the Georgian Opera and Ballet Theater in Tbilisi.. The theatre’s repertory includes both new choreographic versions of classical ballets, as well as works by George Balanchine, Sir Frederick Ashton, August Bournonville, and Jiří Kylián. Alexei Ratmansky, Alexey Fadeechev, Yuri Possokhov, Trey McIntyre, Stanton Welch, Jorma Elo and other choreographers collaborate with the theatre, and the company has toured in the United States (2007, 2008 and 2010), Japan (2007, 2010, 2012, 2017), Israel, Egypt, Italy, Spain, Estonia, Taiwan, Ecuador, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Ukraine, and Belarus. In 2008, the ballet company of the Georgian Opera and Ballet Theater was awarded the prestigious Herald Angels award at the Edinburgh International Festival. In 2012, Ananiashvili’s 30-year career was celebrated at an event that included international ballet celebrities.

Sagalobeli - 3 male dancers jump behind 3 female dancers

Sagalobeli. Photo by Jack Devant Ballet Photography

Nina Ananiashvili.

Nina Ananiashvili started ballet at the age of 10. She studied at Tbilisi Choreographic School with Tamara Vikhodtseva. In 1977 she pursued her education at Moscow Choreographic School, studying under Natalia Zolotova.

From 1987 to 2004, she was prima-ballerina at Moscow Bolshoi Theatre. Under the guidance of outstanding ballerina Raisa Struchkova, she produced and performed all parts of the classical ballet heritage. The first season of the Bolshoi Theatre turned out to be triumphant for Ananiashvili. She performed Odette-Odile (Swan Lake) in Hamburg, Germany during the tour and received a 30-minute non-stop ovation after the performance.

Ananiashvili is the only ballerina honored with four prestigious international ballet awards including Varna (Bulgaria) X International competition gold medal (1980); Moscow IV International Competition Grand Prix (1981); Moscow V international competition gold medal (1985); and Jackson (United States) III International Competition Grand Prix (1986).

Since September 2004, Ananiashvili has been an artistic director at Z. Paliashvili Tbilisi Opera and Ballet State Theatre, as well as principal at V. Chabukiani Choreographic State School. She has been invited as a jury member and staging choreographer to various theaters around the world.

Ananiashvili is honored with the title of People’s Artist of Georgia (1989) and Russia (1995); Zurab Anjaparidze and Rustaveli State Prize (1993); and The Presidential Order of Excellence (2010). She was awarded with the State Prize of the Russian Federation - For the Merit to the Fatherland (2001). Ananiashvili is the first ballerina to hold the Russian national prize “Triumph” for achievement in art (1992). The American Biographical Institute granted her the title of Lady of the Year (1997). She was awarded with the International Prize Golden Goddess (1999) set by successor of Royal family of France: Princess Marie de Bourbon. She was named as a Dance Magazine Prize winner (2002). She was elected as a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador in Georgia (2007) for achieving the Millennium Development Goals. The President of Italy awarded the prima ballerina with the Italian Solidarity Medal of Honor (2011).

Vakhtang Chabukiani

Vakhtang Chabukiani (1910-1992) Legendary ballet dancer and ballet master Vakhtang Chabukiani is the founder of Georgian classical ballet. Born in 1910 in Tbilisi, Georgia, Chabukiani joined Mariinsky Perini Ballet Studio when he was 12 and performed his own miniature version of Anton Rubinstein’s Fire Flame at the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre at age 14. In 1926, he started studying at the Leningrad State Choreographic School and shortly became known as the “Georgian bombshell.”

From 1929-1941, Chabukiani was principal soloist of Kirov (at present Marias) Opera and Ballet Theatre. He performed over 40 classical ballet parts, including the roles of Basilio (Don Quixote), Albrecht (Giselle), Siegfried (Swan Lake), Jerome (Flames of Paris), Andrei (Taras Bulba), and others.

Chabukiani’s performances were known for his excellent technique, soft jumps and extreme passion. He helped change the role of male dancers in classical ballet and influenced new generations of dancers and choreographers. He created many impressive pas de deux and male variations, which are performed worldwide and admired by ballet fans.

The first Georgian ballet, Mzechabuki, was staged by Chabukiani in Tbilisi in 1936, and later at Kirov theatre in 1938, under the name of The Heart of Mountains. He staged the ballet Laurencia with music by Alexander Krein and based on Lope de Vega’s The Sheep Well at the same stage as well in 1939.

Chabukiani was named artistic director of the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet State Theatre Company in 1941 and led the company until 1973. While there, he staged choreographical versions of nearly all classical ballets, and brilliantly performed all principal roles. From 1950-1973, Chabukiani also tutored at Tbilisi Choreographic School, which is named after him today.

He passed away in 1992 and is buried at Mtatsminda Pantheon of Writers and Public Figures.

Andrii Havryliuk

Andrii Havryliuk (Soloist) studied at the Kiev Ballet School in 2008, moved to the Choreographic College of the same city in 2015 and worked at the Munich Ballet Academy in Germany from 2016 to 2019. Since 2019, he has been soloist of Tbilisi Opera and Ballet State Theatre. Havryliuk is second prize winner of both the 3rd International Competition of Choreographic and Classical dance “Idea” and the 8th International Competition of Classical Dance “Glass Slipper.” His repertory includes Prince Siegfried (Swan Lake), Franz Variation (Coppélia), Solor Variation (La Bayadère Premiere in the National Opera of Ukraine), Colin Variation (La Fille Mal Gardée), Prince Désiré (The Sleeping Beauty), various modern choreographies, both solo and in a group, Pas de trois (Swan Lake) as a guest role in several Russian theaters, Variations (Spartakus), Khatchatourian (Gregorovitch), Variations (Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland), and Grand pas Paquita (music by Marius Petipa, 1881).

Kai Kanzaki

Kai Kanzaki (Soloist) studied at the Japanese Ballet School (2003-2017), the Jazz Dance Studio Praimu (Japan) (2009-2013), the Tokyo Ballet School (2012-2017), and the National Conservatory of Dance in Portugal (2017-2019). Since 2019, he has been soloist of Tbilisi Opera and Ballet State Ballet Theater. Kanzaki is the first prize winner of the 2017 NBA All Japan Ballet Competition, the second prize winner of the 2018 XV International Dance Festival “TANZOLYMP” (Germany), and a semifinalist of the 28th Varna International Ballet Competition (Bulgaria). His repertory includes roles in Don Quixote (The Companhia National de Bailado, 2019), Graduation Ball (The National Conservatory Dance School, 2018), Bolero (Aurelie Dupont, 2017), Onegin (Stuttgart Ballet, 2015) and Romeo and Juliet (The Tokyo Ballet, 2014).

David Ananeli

David Ananeli (Soloist) was born in Tbilisi, Georgia. In 2003 he graduated from Vakhtang Chabukiani Ballet Art State School and the same year joined Tbilisi Z. Paliashvili Opera and Ballet State Theatre as a ballet artist. Since 2010, he has been a soloist at the State Ballet of Georgia. His repertory includes Hans (Giselle); Espada, Bolero (Don Quixote); The Spanish Dance, Mazurka, Rothbart (Swan Lake); Mengo, The Dance With Castanets (Laurencia, choreography by Vakhtang Chabukiani, choreographic version by Nukri Maghalashvili); Drosselmeyer, The Prince, The Indian Doll (The Nutcracker); Paris (Romeo and Juliet); Petroff (From Siberia to Moscow); The Golden Slave (Sheherazade); leading roles in George Balanchine’s Duo Concertant, Serenade, Mozartiana, Western Symphony; Jiří Kyliáns Sechs Tänze, Stepping Stones, Sarabande, Alexei Ratmansky’s Dreams About Japan and Bizet Variations; Trey McIntyre’s Second Before the Ground; Yuri Possokhov’s Sagalobeli and Reflection; and Frederick Ashton’s Thais pas de deux.

Ekaterine Surmava

Ekaterine Surmava (Soloist) graduated from Vakhtang Chabukiani Ballet Art State School in 2009 (tutor N. Didebulidze) and joined Tbilisi Z. Paliashvili Opera and Ballet Professional State Theatre. She has been a leading soloist at State Ballet of Georgia since May 2014. Surmava is the first-prize winner of the International Ballet and Contemporary Dance Competition - Domenico Modugno (May, 2015). In February 2016 she took part in the Gala-concert in memory of Raisa Struchkova (Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow), Ananiashvili’s Final Classical Gala (Bunka Kaikan, Tokyo, 2017) and Celebration of Valentin Elizariev’s 70th Anniversary (Bolshoi Theatre of Belarus, 2017). Leading roles in her repertory include Odette, the Brides, Big Swan, Pas de trois (Swan Lake), Giselle (Giselle), Juliet (Romeo and Juliet), The French Doll, Sugar Plum Fairy (The Nutcracker), Jacinta (Laurencia), Variation (Don Quixote), The Jockey Dance (From Siberia to Moscow), Seventh Waltz (Chopiniana), and Terpsichore (Apollo Musagete). In addition, she has had solo performances in Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco, Serenade, Duo Concertant, Mozartiana, Western Symphony; Bizet Variations; Sagalobeli (choreography by Possokhov), Reflection (choreography by Possokhov), Birthday Offering and Thais pas de deux (choreography by Ashton), Second before the Ground (choreography by Trey McIntyre), Secret Garden (S. Evtimova choreography), First Flash (choreography by Jorma Elo), Petite Mort, Sechs Tänze (choreography by Jiří Kylián), and Petite Cérémonie (choreography Medhi Walerski).

Nino Samadashvili

Nino Samadashvili (Soloist) graduated from Vakhtang Chabukiani Ballet Art State School in 2011 under tutorship of L. Chkhikvishvili and the same year got accepted in Ballet Company of Tbilisi Z. Paliashvili Opera and Ballet State Theatre. Since January 2014 she is a Leading Soloist of State Ballet of Georgia. Her solo repertory includes: Odette-Odile, The Bride, Big Swan (Swan Lake, choreography by A. Fadeechev); Sugar Plum Fairy (Nutcracker, choreography by A. Fadeechev), Raymonda Variation (Raymonda, choreography by Fadeechev and N. Ananiashvili), Giselle, Mirtha (Giselle, choreography by A. Fadeechev), Queen of Dryads, First and second variations (Don Quixote choreography by A. Fadeechev and N.Ananiashvili), Seventh Waltz (Les Sylphides, choreographic version by N. Ananiashvili), Bizet Variations (choreography by A. Ratmansky), Сoncerto Barocco, Symphony in C, Serenade, Tchaikovsky pas de deux (choreography by G. Balanchine), Wings (choreography by Giorgi Aleksidze), The Secret Garden (choreography by A. Evtimova), Petite Mort (choreography by Jiří Kylián), Petite Cérémonie (choreography by Medhi Walerski). Her further repertory includes Yuri Possokhov’s Sagalobeli and Reflection, Trey McIntyre’s Second before the Ground, August Bournonville’s Le Conservatoire; Nino got Grand Prix Prize and the first place at “Rigas Pavasaris 2013”, International Ballet Competition in Riga.

Nutsa Chekurashvili

Nutsa Chekurashvili (Soloist) graduated from Vakhtang Chabukiani Ballet Art State School in 2011 under tutorship of L. Chkhikvishvili. She also got accepted into Tbilisi Z. Paliashvili Opera and Ballet State Theatre Ballet Company that year and has been a soloist with them since 2014. Her repertory in leading and solo parts includes Giselle (Giselle), Kitri, Kitri’s friend (Don Quixote, choreographic version by N. Ananiashvili and A. Fadeechev), Odette-Odile, Pas de Troyes, Little Swan, The Brides, Neapolitan Dance (Swan Lake, choreography by A. Fadeechev), Javara (Gorda, choreography by Vakhtang Chabukiani, choreographic version by Nina Ananiashvili), Firebird (Firebird, staging by Andris Liepa), Lisa (La fille mal gardée, choreography by A. Fadeechev), Sugar Plum Fairy, Marie (Nutcracker, choreography by A. Fadeechev), Tarantella (G. Balanchine’s choreography), Pasquale (Laurencia, choreography by Vakhtang Chabukiani, choreographic version by N. Maghalashvili), Rhine-Soloist (From Siberia to Moscow, choreography by A. Bournonville), Pas de Deux from the ballet Flower Festival in Genzano (choreography by A. Bournonville), Mazurka (Chopiniana, N. Ananiashvili version), Pas d’esclave (Corsair), Bizet Variations (choreography by A. Ratmansky), as well as leading roles in Sagalobeli, Reflection (choreography by Y. Possokhov), Second Before the Ground, Inverted world (choreography by T. McIntyre), Conservatoire (choreography by A. Bournonville), solo roles in Serenade, Concerto Barocco, Tarantella (choreography by G. Balanchine), Wings (choreography by G. Aleksidze), The Secret Garden (choreography by S. Evtimova), Petite Mort, Falling Angels (choreography by J. Kylián), First Flash (choreography by J. Elo), and Petite Cérémonie (choreography by Medhi Walerski).

Philip Fedulov

Philip Fedulov (Soloist) attended the Rock School in Philadelphia, PA, from 2001 to 2009 under the tutorship of Natasha Zeiger and Servy Gallardo. From 2009 to 2010 he continued in Orlando Ballet II in Orlando, FL, under the tutorship of Olivier Munoz and Peter Stark. Later in the year, he joined Houston Ballet II in Houston, TX under the tutorship of Claudio Munoz. From 2011 to 2013, Fedulov was a ballet artist in Allison Ballet in New York, under the tutorship of Edward Ellison. In 2013, Fedulov joined the Tbilisi Z. Paliashvili Opera and Ballet Professional State Theatre company as a soloist and performed leading roles including Albrecht in Giselle, Prince in Nutcracker (choreography by A. Fadeechev), Tsareivich in Firebird (staging by Andris Liepa), Siegfried (act II) in Swan Lake (choreography by A. Fadeechev), Mamia in Gorda (choreography by Vakhtang Chabukiani, choreographic version by Nina Ananiashvili), Pas de trois, Adagio, Pas de quatre in Raymonda, solo parts in Serenade, Mozartiana, Symphony in C (choreography by G. Balanchine), Petite Mort, SechsTanze (choreography by J. Kylián), Sagolobeli (choreography by Y. Possokhov), and Tsuna and Tsrutsuna (staging choreographers: Nina Ananiashvili, Gia Marghania). On Mar 25-29, 2015, he participated in Domenico Modugno, an international ballet and contemporary dance competition in Bari, Italy, where he won first prize in duet performances, accompanied by Ekaterine Surmava.

Yonen Takano

Yonen Takano (Soloist) trained from 2001-2008 at Kimika Kimura Atelier de Ballet in Yokohama, followed by the Vaganova Ballet Academy (class of Boris Bregvadze) in St. Petersburg, graduating in 2011. In Sep 2011, Takano joined the Mikhailovsky Ballet Theatre in St. Petersburg as one of the first dancers Nacho Duato personally selected for the company. His repertory at the company included roles in Nunc Dimittis, Invisible, Duende, Multiplicity, and Forms of Silence and Emptiness (all by Nacho Duato), The Waltz, The Hunting Man-Soloist in Sleeping Beauty, The Friend of Tybalt, Capulet Soldier in Romeo and Juliet, Harlequin, The Chinese Doll, and The Mouse in The Nutcracker. Takano was awarded the Danseur Noble Prize at the Korean International Ballet Competition, Diploma at the Arabesque International Ballet Competition and the Rudolf Nureyev International Ballet Competition, and was a finalist at the Helsinki International Ballet Competition. In June 2014, Takano joined the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet State Theatre Ballet Company as soloist and danced leading roles including Basilio (Don Quixote), Frondoso (Laurencia), The Prince, The French Doll in (The Nutcracker), Jean de Brienne (Raymonda), solo roles in ballets by George Balanchine (Tchaikovsky pas Tchaikovsky pas de Deux, Symphony in C), Jiří Kylián (Petite Mort), Trey McIntyre (Oh, Inverted World) and Yuri Possokhov (Sagalobeli). In 2015, Takano danced the leading part with Nina Ananiashvili in the ballet Le Spectre de la Rose by Mikhail Fokine.

Papuna Kapanadze

Papuna Kapanadze (Corps de Ballet) graduated from Vakhtang Chabukiani School. In 2017, Kapanadze joined the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet State Theatre Ballet Company. His repertory at the company includes roles in The Nutcracker, Laurencia, Don Quixote, and Swan Lake. He took first place in the International Youth Choreography Competition—Riga Spring 2019 and at The Flower Festival at the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet State Theatre.

Ruika Yokoyma

Ruika Yokoyma (Soloist) studied at the Niigata ballet school from 2001 to 2013. From 2013 to 2016, she studied at Escola de Dança do Conservatório Nacional in Lisbon, Portugal. Since 2016, she has been a soloist at the ballet company of the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet State Theatre. Her repertory includes Princess Aurora, Four Couples in Flower Waltz (Tchaikovsky), The Sleeping Beauty, Soloist Mazurka Chopiniana, Soloist of Peers (Prokofiev) Romeo and Juliet, Chinese doll (Tchaikovsky) The Nutcracker, Pas de trios (Tchaikovsky) Swan Lake, Myrta Pas-de-six (Adam) Giselle, First variation of soloist (Minkus) in the ballet Don Quixote. Other roles include those in Tsuna and Tsrutsuna (choreography by N. Ananiashvili) and Petite Cérémonie, Orawa (choreography by M. Walerski). Yokoyma’s awards include the highest score at the All Japan Ballet Competition (2013, Japan), Bronze medal at the Tanzolymp Ballet Competition (2014, Germany), and the Prix de Lausanne (2016, Switzerland).

 

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MAKE LEGENDARY PERFORMANCES POSSIBLE! 
At Northrop, we believe in connecting great artists and ideas with our community and to a new generation of audiences. Your gift helps make memorable arts experiences possible by supporting extraordinary performances and new arts commissions, and helping ensure accessibility to everyone through live-streamed programming, outreach to diverse communities and subsidized student tickets. Our Friends are at the center of Northrop’s biggest ideas and brightest moments on stage. 

Become a Friend of Northrop today!
Donate online at northrop.umn.edu/give

Ways to Give: 

  • Annual Giving, a yearly gift amount of your choice. 
  • Monthly Giving, choose a recurring gift amount that works for you. 
  • Stock Gifts, Northrop accepts charitable gifts of stock. 
  • Planned Giving, consider a legacy gift by including Northrop in your will or trust, or by designating Northrop as a beneficiary of a retirement plan or life insurance policy. 
  • Matching Gifts, double your gift through your company’s matching gift program. 

To learn more about supporting Northrop please contact: 
Cynthia Betz betzx011@umn.edu or 612-626-7554

FRIENDS OF NORTHROP

A special thank you to our patrons whose generous support makes Northrop’s transformative arts experiences possible. Make your mark on Northrop’s future by becoming a Friend today, learn more by visiting northrop.umn.edu/give

We gratefully acknowledge the support from, Arts Midwest Touring Fund, Minnesota State Arts Board, National Endowment for the Arts, and New England Foundation for the Arts. 

We extend a special thank you to our event sponsors PNC Bank, RBC Wealth Management, and HGA.

Director's Circle

25,000+ 
David and Naomi Balto 

10,000+ 
Drs. Robert Bruininks and Susan Hagstrum 
Curtis L Carlson Family Foundation 
Robert Lunieski

5,000+
Ellie Crosby, The Longview and Crosswols Foundations
Susan DeNuccio
Nancy Gossell
Richard Gregory
Marbrook Foundation
Jennifer Marrone and David Short
Gary A. Reetz
Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation
Dr. Darlene Sholtis and Dr. Heino Beckmann

2,500+ 
Jerry Artz
Gail and Stuart Hanson
Provost Karen Hanson and Dennis Senchuk
Randy Hartten and Ron Lotz
Shawn Monaghan and Greg Plotnikoff
Thomas and Conchy Morgan, In Memory of Sylvia and Henry Frisch 
Sandy Morris
RBC Wealth Management
Scarborough Fair Boutique
Sally and Kenneth Spence
Donald Williams and Pamela Neuenfeldt

Friend's Circle

1,000+
Anonymous
Karen Bachman
Frederick L. Betz, In Memory of James and Maren Stocke
Jeff Bieganek
Kurt and Susan Bjorklund, Dedicated to Silas and Victoria Ford
James Callahan
Deb Cran and Bob Craven
Bruce and Judith Hadler
Minhchau and Lawrence Harms
Dana and Lori Klimp
Gail and Jack Kochie
Sally and Richard Leider
Glenn Lindsey
Bob and Susanna McMaster
Lance Olson
Cory and Elizabeth Padesky
Kathryn Sedo and Scott Beers

500+
Jeanne Andre
Kathryn Cahill, In Honor of Ferne Rowland
Rob Carlson and Gregg Larson
John and Nancy Conlin
Jay and Page Cowles
Will and Ginny Craig
Fran Davis
Stephen Davis and L Murray Thomas
John and Mary Jean deRosier
George Ehrenberg
Bob and Nancy Erickson
Pat Gaarder
Jo-Ida Hansen
Denise and Corey Holtz
Tammylynne Jonas
Brian Lammers and Emily Knox
Barbara and Jeffrey Land
David and Leni Moore Family Foundation
Mark and Cecilia Morrow
Rebekah Nagler
Derrill Pankow
David and Kathleen Rothenberger
Gordon Rouse and Sylvia Beach
Catharine Ruther and David Vanney
Dale Schatzlein and Emily Maltz Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation
Judith Rohde
Bonnie and Craig Sommerville
Richard Taylor
TCF Foundation
Jon Thomas
John Van Bogart
Michael Weinbeck
Mark and Carol Weitz
John and Kelly Wheaton
Mark Wright and Elizabeth Walton
 

250+
Anonymous
Margaret Albrecht
Greg and Ann Allen
Ruth Alliband
Marcia Anderson
Janice Apple
Alexandra Beaumont
Mary Benson
Sharon Bigot
Mark Bohnhorst and Mary Wahlstrand
R. and J. Cameron
Mark and Karena Casey
Robert Dufault and Ann Wilcox
Kristin Elizondo
Marcia and Berkan Endres
Lorinda Fraboni
Richard Gwynne
William Hartup
Gayle Hjellming
Deborah Hennrikus
Candice Hern
Jan and Lance Johnson
Janet Johnson
Jennifer and Mark Johnson
Warren and Patricia Kelly
Sharon Knopp
Miriam Kowarski
Daniel and Dianne Latham
Laura Lentz Landstad
Joan Liaschenko
Elise Linehan
Candy Lord
Holly MacDonald
Nancy MacGibbon
Carrie Madison
Kenneth and Judith Matysik
George and Orla McClure
Howard Mooers and Kathleen Jones
Gordon Mosser
Gwen and Mason Myers
Shannon Nemer
Timothy Palmer
Elizabeth Parker
David Perlman
Ann Piotrowski
Holly Radis-McCluskey and Glen McCluskey
John Reay
Mary Roberts and Edward Kraft
Phyllis Saltzman
Julia Sand
Buddy Scoggins and Kelly Schroeder
Carol Skinner
John and Susan Steffen
Cindy Tong and Robert Denison
Cheryl Wall
Roger Worm
Lin Wyrick

100+
Melissa Albachten
Louise Anderson
Linda Z Andrews
Conrado Aparicio-Badenas
Barbara Ashley
Rebecca Biderman and David Fraher
Amy Briggs
Jessica Briggs
Nancy Brown
David Burton
Sharane Calabresa
Karen Charles
Troy Couillard
Cynthia Crawford
Dee Ann and Kent Crossley
Virginia Dale
Catherine Day
Christy Dobbratz
Richard Duncan
Christina and Jacob Dunn
William Durfee and Devorah Goldstein
Stephen Elde and Amy Funk
Susan Engel
Terry Farley
Mark Gilberstadt 
Magee Glenn Burns
Michelle Golden
Pamela and Robert Goldman
Annalee Gray
Birgit Grund
David and Julie Hartung
Nancy and Richard Haskin
Polina Hektner
Annemarie Herrlich
Patricia Herrmann
Christina Herzog
Jay Huang
Debra Hughes
Glenda and Hugh Huston
Kimberly Hutchens
Edward and Julie Idzorek
Ramona Jacobs and Charles Christianson
Ann Jaede
Jeralyn Jargo
Helen and David Jensen
Robert Johns and Linda Hennum
Micki and Neil Kay
Kelly Kemp
Karen Kirby
Randy Kish
Kate Kleckner
Christina Kraft and Nelson Capes
Frank Lambert
Laura Beth Landy
Eric Larson
Alan and Peggy Lathrop
Gabrielle Lawrence and Don Postema
Ross and Sally Legrand
Douglas and Elisabeth Lewis
Barbara Lind and Craig Poeschl
Kimberley MacLennan
Holly Manning
Candice and Gerald Matykowski
Anne and Michael McInerney
Mary Ann McKenna
Elizabeth Messina
M Valeriana Moeller
Margaret Moutvic-Wasz
David Musolf
Jennifer and Jonathan Nelson
Rebecca Ness
Aaron Nesser
Kathryn Nettleman
Gene-Hua Ng
Ava and David Nielsen
Jenine Nordquist
Denis O’Pray
Donald Ofstedal
Field and Cynthia Olson
Barbara Owens
David Pace
Ann and Bill Parker
David and Mary Parker
Claudia Poser
Joe and Pat Pulice
Jacob Rabinowitz
Debra Reischl
Gail and Joel Roberts
Greta Blinn Rudolph
Charles and Jeanne Scheiderer
Jessica Schroeder
Thomas Scott
Doris Seely
Dan Sheehan
Rebecca and John Shockley
Kari Schloner
Jan and Alan Sickbert
Mary Skelley
Roger Snyder
Jennifer Song
Patricia Stankovich
Cynthia Stone
Lynn Strehlow
Betsy Sylvester
Rodney and Carol Thompson
Barbara and Keith Thorkelson
Susan Travis
Ertugrul and Karen Owens Tuzcu
Patti Wales
Melinda Ward
Cathy Westrum and Annelynn Westrum
Laura Wilson
Monica Winker-Bergstrom
Millie Woodbury
Kristine Wright
Anna Yurchenko
Michael Zimmerman
Margaret Zoerhoff
 

Up to $99

Joyce Albers
Eric Anderson
Sarah Anthony
Gail Armbrust
Michael Austin
Habiby Aydin
Veronika Bachanova
Todd Barton
Austin Beatty
Betty Biernat and JC Paulet
Michael Blomberg
Angella Boettcher
Jason Borah
Mary Boyer
Reginald and Susan Boyle
Philip Briggs
Clifford Brody
Justin Burke
Thomas Cabaniss
Mary Campbell
Deborah Carlson
Kate Carson
JaNan Cavaaugh
Oscar Chamberlain
Fay Chang
Karen Charles
Deborah Clendenning
Janet Conn
Beverly Connolly
Jeanne and David Cornish
Charlotte Curry
Neal Cuthbert and Louise Robinson
Emily Dail
Sandra Daly
Andre Delattre
Sher DeMeter
Dana Dimit
Mary Doyscher
Nancy Duffy
Alisa Eland

Susan Elsner
Robert Ferguson and Carol Swenson
Salvatore Franco
Wendy Friede
Kirk Froggart
Frieda Gardner
Katherine Gibney
John and Joanne Gordon
Nancy Gossen
Michael Green and Jane Powers
Jane Greenberg
Urbae Hall
Marcia Hammond
Amy Handelsman
Marylee Hardenbergh
Jean Haskell
Jim Hartmann
Cari Hatcher
Joyce and Eugene Haselmann
Patrick and Kimberley Higgins
John Hofstede
Kurt Hollender
Michael Hull
Jay Jaffee and Wendy Friede
Karen Jeanette
Yin Jiang and Xiaoping Guo
Kenyon Johanson
Robert Johnson
Karen and Barry Johnson
Bill Jones
Jonathan Junker
Aseem Kaul
Milo Kim
Martin Kokes
Farhad Kosari
Arnold Kvam
Roberta Lamps
Rose Mary and William Larson
Linda Leamer
Erik Lee

Reka Leeaphon
Patricia Lefebvre
Kathryn LeFevere
Elizabeth Ler
Suzanne Levi
Michelle and Kevin Lian-Anderson
Kristine Loh
Dianne and Don MacLennan
Kyle Maltz
Zarah Mamun
Kathryn Manger
Judy Marcouiller
Alexandra Mentes
Margaret Michaelson
Timothy and Mary Miley
Eric Molho
Daniel Moore
James Moore
Ayaka Moriyama
Nadia Muhamad Rashid
Chuck Munro
Shinji Muro
Lisa Murray
Amy Nelson Sander
Lloyd Nestrud
Jennifer and William Neujahr
Libby Nickel
Nina Norum
James and Sarah Novotny
Sandra Olson
Lynn O’Neal
John Opsahl
Judith Parr
Matthew Peak
Christina Peterson
Cathy Poff
Claudia Poser and Ronald Ofstead
James Potter
Nancy Price
Bridget Reddan

Mark Rekow and Lynn Mader
Piper Ritter
Robyne Robinson
Yvonne Rode
Susan Rose
Jane Rosemarin and Val Landwehr
Thomas Rosen
Thomas Ryan
Makie Sanchez
Rebecca Scherpelz
Kris Schmitt
Robin Schow
Cynthia Sharon
Michael and Tara Sime
Edward Skelly
Kathleen Stanley
Nanette Stearns
Kate Stolpman
George Swan
Toni Taylor
Jeffrey Teeple
Mark Ten Eyck and LaRaye Osborne
Mary Teurman
Connor Theisen
Arthur Troedson
Brandon Ure
Alla Valdberg
William Venne and Douglas Kline
John Vilandre
Brian and Katherine Weitz
Andrew Welken
Helen and Paul Wells
Ellena and Gregory Weyandt
Allison Wickler
Anne Wiltscheck
Susan Wiste
Mary Jo Zidwick
Mary Zilge

This season’s listing is current as of 03/10/21.
Please contact Trisha Taylor at taylort@umn.edu  if you have any corrections or questions.
 

NORTHROP’S AEOLIAN-SKINNER ORGAN
Thank you to the generous donors who continue to support programming for Northrop’s beloved Aeolian-Skinner Organ. It is because of you that this magnificent instrument’s voice will be enjoyed by many for years to come.

organ supporters

Anonymous
Pat Andrle
J. Michael Barone
Fred and Cynthia Betz, In Honor of Esther Stocke
Joyce Brown
Drs. Robert Bruininks and Susan Hagstrum
Dean Billmeyer
Francis Carter
Dee Ann and Kent Crossley
Sheena Dufresne

Laura and Tim Edman
Peter Fiore
Deborah Ford
Salvatore Franco
Reid Froiland
Maiken Givot
Nils and Heather Halker
Thomas Hanna
Anna Iltis
Helen and David Jensen

Charlie Johnson
Susan Keljik
Mark Kieffer
Peter Lund
Chia-Hsing Pi
Holly Radis-McCluskey and Glen McCluskey
Daniel Moore
Pamela Neuenfeldt and Don Williams
Connie Schuelka
Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation

Nancy Shallcross
Paul Stever
Curtis Trout
John Vilandre
Michael Volna
Carolyn Wahl
Nancy Wellington

ORGAN COMMITTEE

J. Michael Barone
Cynthia Betz
Dean Billmeyer
Kristen Brogdon
Dr. Robert Bruininks

Dee Ann Crossley
Laura Edman
Cathie Fischer
Nils Halker
Cari Hatcher

David Jensen
Helen Jensen
Amy Nelson
Pamela Neuenfeldt
Kari Schloner

Jeff Bieganek

Thank you for joining us this season for the remarkable performances at Northrop.

We have run out of words to describe the last few months and are so grateful for the arts and to be able to experience all that Northrop has to offer, which is now more accessible than ever.

Northrop continues to move forward, and all of us on the Advisory Board are so proud to be part of the launch of our new commissioning program. Now more than ever, Northrop’s commitment to presenting, and now commissioning, the greatest of the world of dance remains strong and innovative.

I am honored to be part of an organization that has been serving the community for so many years, not only with great art but great outreach to the community. I support Northrop because I believe in its mission and love the amazing work we see on this stage each season. I hope you will join me in supporting Northrop in any way that best fits you. There are many opportunities, and we welcome your participation. Let me know and we can get you involved.

We look forward to seeing you at an upcoming performance or event.

Jeff Bieganek, Northrop Advisory Board Chair

THE NORTHROP ADVISORY BOARD

The Northrop Advisory Board is committed to the growth and awareness of Northrop’s mission, vision, and the continued future of presenting world-class dance and music in our community. If you would like more information about the advisory board and its work, please contact Cynthia Betz, Director of Development, at 612-626-7554 or betzx011@umn.edu.

Board Members

Cynthia Betz
Jeff Bieganek, Chair
Kristen Brogdon
Dr. Robert Bruininks
John Conlin
Deb Cran
Susan DeNuccio

Karen Hanson
Cari Hatcher
Tammylynne Jonas
Robert Lunieski
Bob McMaster
Katheryn Menaged
Cory Padesky

Holly Radis-McCluskey
Gary Reetz
Robyne Robinson
Kari Schloner
Donald Williams

Supporters

Minnesota State Arts Board logo