LPO celebrates dance through music at LCC
The origins of ballet and other graceful sways of dance will captivate the senses when the Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra presents the second concert of its 26th season on Sunday, Nov. 20 at Laredo Community College.
Billed as a celebration of dance through music, the LPO concert will feature guest performances by area dancers; the concert begins at 4 p.m. in the Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Fine Arts Center theater at the LCC main campus.
Brendan Townsend, LPO music director, has selected a variety of music written for dance, including the old French dance forms found in Bach suites and the ever popular “Bolero” by Maurice Ravel.
“These works vary from pure orchestral music to music that was inspired by a particular dance form, such as the Mexican danzon,” Townsend said.
Opening the program will be the “Invitation to Dance” by Weber, which depicts the imagined tale of a nervous gentleman asking a lady to dance. This is followed by the “Orchestral Suite No. 2” of J.S. Bach.
“This was not really written as accompanying music to dance,” Townsend said. “But each of the movements is symbolic of a particular dance form from the Baroque era.”
These movements will be performed by the LCC Dance Theatre, under the direction of dance instructor Danuta Gazdyszyn.
“The movements are Baroque court dances recognized as the beginnings of ballet, dating back to the late 17th century. Dancers wore gowns down to their ankles and shoes with heels, unlike the attire for the contemporary ballet dancer,” Gazdyszyn said.
She added that the LCC Dance Theatre will wear period costume designed by a local seamstress.
Following the Strauss Blue Danube Waltz, the orchestra will premiere a piece by Mexican composer Arturo Marquez, entitled “Danzon No. 2,” which contains an electrifying rhythmic drive.
The flavor of Mexico will continue with the performance of “El Jarabe Tapatio” by the TAMIU Ballet Folklorico. The group is led by adjunct faculty member Gabriela Mendoza-Garcia.
The concert’s focus will shift to ballet, which Townsend said is a form of dance that strongly influenced the orchestral world.
The orchestra will make its point with the performance of “Autumn” from the ballet masterpiece “The Seasons” by Russian composer Antonin Glazunov.
The concert will conclude with the well-known “Bolero.”
Cristina Greco, a noted flamenco dancer in Laredo, will present a unique choreography for this dramatic work. She will dance alongside some of her students to bring the music to life with a dramatic flair.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $12 for senior adults, and can be purchased at the door. Admission is free with a validated student ID card.
For more information, contact Townsend at 326-3039 or 721-5258.
Gracie Lara is dressed in an elegant period costume from the Baroque era, which will be showcased in a concert of the Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra Sunday, Nov. 20 at Laredo Community College. The LCC Dance Theatre, directed by Danuta Gazdyszyn, will perform Baroque court dances recognized as the beginnings of ballet, dating back to the 17th century. The TAMIU Ballet Folklorico, Cristina Greco and dancers from Greco’s private studio also will be featured in the LPO concert, which is billed as a celebration of dance through music. The program begins at 4 p.m. in the Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Fine Arts Center theater. Tickets are $20 for adults and $12 for senior adults; ticket can be purchased at the door. Admission is free with a valid student ID card.
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