‘Carmina’ is coming

Back by popular demand, the Richmond Ballet is reviving one of its most beloved ballets, “Carmina Burana,” for its Studio 2 performance. The show runs March 27 to April 1 at the Richmond Ballet’s Studio Theatre on 5th and Canal streets.

The show began to sell out so fast, the company added two extra dates, April 3 and 5.

“Two shows are already sold out,” said Aaron Sutten, marketing and communications director at the Richmond Ballet. “This is our most requested contemporary piece.”

Based on the 1935 scenic cantata by German composer Carl Orff, the ballet was created by prolific American choreographer John Butler in 1959. Orff composed the work using approximately 24 carminas, or songs, from more than 250 verses found in an ancient Bavarian monastery.

“This piece is popular with our audiences because of its popular and powerful music and exhilarating and exciting choreography,” Sutten said.

Butler set the piece on the company in 1988. They have performed it many times since then, most recently in 2001 and 2003.

William Soleau, executive director of the John Butler Foundation, asked the company to perform “Carmina” at the retrospective/tribute concert “John Butler – An American Master” April 10 to 15 at the Joyce Theater in New York City.

Richmond Ballet’s artistic director, Stoner Winslett, serves as president of the John Butler Foundation.

” ‘Carmina’ is the signature John Butler piece. We were chosen to do the piece in New York because the foundation thought we had the best version of it,” Sutten said.

The work was created for 16 dancers, two lead couples and six corps couples. The piece’s explosive music and powerful choreography are paired with bright red, yellow and white costumes and stark blue lighting.

“John Butler was a fabulous choreographer. He’s getting more popular all the time. Other companies are coming to us, asking us to share what we know of his work,” Sutten said.

Being the state ballet of Virginia, the company has spent the past few weeks touring throughout Virginia. The company performed in Exmore, Fredericksburg, Charlottesville and the Westminster Canterbury in Richmond.

“Our tour is going great. We were very well received when we performed ‘Carmina’ at Piedmont Virginia Community College in Charlottesville,” Sutten said.

Sutten said the company is always rehearsing many pieces simultaneously, and has been rehearsing “Carmina” since February.

The company has performed pieces from its Studio 3 lineup, such as Balanchine’s “Who Cares?” at some recent tour stops. Popular New York choreographer Jessica Lang set a new piece on the company last fall, “Women and the Sea,” which will premiere in May at Studio 3.

After the stint in New York the company will continue its tour, performing at the Paramount Theater in Charlottesville and the George Mason University Center for the Arts in Fairfax.