'The Nutcracker' a treat for ballet fans<\/p>\n
By Tri Hafiningsih<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Jakartan ballet fans will have the opportunity
\nto see a classic ballet performance of The Nutcracker at Graha
\nBhakti Budaya, Taman Ismail Marzuki Arts Center, Central Jakarta,
\nthis weekend.<\/p>\n
Children will also enjoy the show as it will feature their
\nidol, singer Sherina Munaf, who will play the Christmas classic's
\nClara -- one of leading characters of the legendary Nutcracker
\nballet composed by Peter Ilich Tschaikovsky.<\/p>\n
Shows will be held over two consecutive days: Saturday, Feb.
\n10 at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Feb. 11, at 11 a.m. and 4
\np.m.<\/p>\n
Apart from Sherina, 65 children and adult dancers from the
\nNamarina ballet school will take part in the first full-length
\nperformance of this ballet in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
According to the school's artistic director, Maya Tamara,
\nNamarina -- one of the oldest ballet schools in the city -- tries
\nto stand out among a more \"modern\" dance audience with the
\nperformance of the rare classic with the support of several
\nprofessional dancers, including a former lead dancer of the
\nPhilippines Ballet, Edmund Gaerlan, along with Namarina's Yetti
\nMaika, Rialita and Miya Mariana.<\/p>\n
\"Dancers need to perform,\" said Maya. The shows, she added,
\nare also part of the dancers' education to develop good skills
\nand appreciation of performing arts.<\/p>\n
For this weekend's shows, she said, Namarina will present the
\nNew York City Ballet's two-act version of The Nutcracker, which
\nis based on a fairy tale by E.T.A. Hoffman.<\/p>\n
The ballet opens with a Christmas party at the luxury
\nresidence of the Stahlbaums family. Mysterious magician Uncle
\nDrosselmeyer comes to the party, carrying presents for the
\nStahlbaums children. The presents include a nutcracker toy
\nsoldier for Clara, the youngest child.<\/p>\n
After the party, Clara and the nutcracker toy meet Uncle
\nDrosselmeyer again, in a dream, where the uncle turns into a
\nfrightening character.<\/p>\n
In the dream, Clara helps the nutcracker lead the toy soldiers
\nto victory against invading mice.<\/p>\n
The nightmare turns into a beautiful dream when the nutcracker
\nsoldier turns into a handsome prince and leads Clara through
\ndancing snowflakes in the Kingdom of Sweets. There, the Sugar
\nPlum fairy entertains Clara with colorful dances. It all ends
\nwith Grand Pas de Deux (the dance of a couple), when suddenly
\nClara wakes up, back in her bedroom, wondering if her dream is
\nreal, or simply a dream.<\/p>\n
Maya said the ballet, which has been under preparation since
\nJune, 2000, was earlier meant for a grand show with a live
\norchestra. But they have had to be satisfied with playback music
\ndue to the \"usual\" financial problems.<\/p>\n
\"Nobody wants to sponsor such shows. We also don't have a
\nsuitable hall with the capacity to hold both the dance and an
\norchestra in one place,\" Maya said, without losing hope that the
\nballet school would be able to organize such shows in the future
\nto better promote performing arts to Indonesian audience.<\/p>\n
For more information and ticket reservations, call (021)
\n3902946, 3900056, or go direct to the ticket booth at Graha
\nBhakti Budaya on performance days.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/the-nutcracker-a-treat-for-ballet-fans-1447893297",
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