(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- BALAM Dance Theatre (BALAM), a New York City based dance company that has performed worldwide, has been selected to perform again in a New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera production. Under Verismo Opera's Artistic Director Lucine Amara, BALAM will perform in Gaetano Donizetti's 'Lucia di Lammermoor' on Sunday, October 18, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. at the Bergen Performing Arts Center, located at 30 North Van Brunt Street in Englewood, New Jersey.
BALAM was selected to perform for a second time with Verismo Opera because of its extensive knowledge of period dancing and experience choreographing dance scenes in opera. "The New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera is delighted to have the professional dance company BALAM Dance Theatre on our stage once again. Their professionalism and dance talent cannot be overstated," said New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera Stage Director and Canadian soprano Evelyn La Quaif.
BALAM's Artistic Director and Choreographer Carlos Fittante and Resident Spanish Dance Specialist Barbara Romero debuted this past April with the New Jersey Association of Verismo Opera in Georges Bizet's 'Carmen' performing as gypsies. In the new production, BALAM will appear in a new landscape, Scotland, performing as courtiers invited to the wedding party at the beginning of Act Two.
"As dancers brought to celebrate Lucia's betrothal, Ms. Romero and I have selected buoyant period dance steps that compliment Gaetano Donizetti's musical fanfare. The weight of our costumes add elegant gravitas to the dance," said Fittante.
A choreographer and dance artist of remarkable diversity performing Ballet, Spanish Escuela Bolera, Baroque, Balinese and other movement styles, Fittante has performed throughout the world in Japan, Korea, Indonesia, England, Germany, Spain, Mexico, and the United States. As a Baroque choreographer and dancer, he has performed with several leading period companies such as the acclaimed Boston Early Music Festival, where he is a resident co-choreographer, and Apollo’s Fire, Cleveland’s period music orchestra. He has also performed with the New York City Opera, Bilbao Opera, Four Nations Ensemble, Sinfonia New York, Teatro Lirico D.C., The Bishop’s Band, and others. His new period choreography for George Frideric Handel's operas Almira and Acis and Galatea enjoyed critical praise.
Romero has studied a variety of dance forms, including ballet, modern, flamenco, escuela bolero, neoclassical, and jota, under a litany of master teachers in the United States and Spain. For six seasons, Romero toured the United States with the Boston Flamenco Ballet under the direction of "El Naranjito" (Simon Blasco), where she choreographed and performed a new production annually. Among her period work, she co-choreographed and performed with BALAM a suite of 16th century Spanish Renaissance dances at the Lladró Museum & Collectors Society in New York City.
Tickets
Tickets may be purchased online at www.bergenpac.org, at the bergenPAC box office, and by calling (201) 227-1030 or toll-free at 1-888-PACSHOW. Senior citizens receive a 10% discount. The company is offering a reduced rate of $10 on all tickets for children, ages 12 and under. Special senior citizen and children’s discount ticket rates are available at the box office only and must be requested before the purchase. For special rates for group sales only, call (201) 224-2809. Discount tickets are not available for purchase online.
About BALAM Dance Theatre
Founded as a contemporary dance company in 1979 by choreographer and movement researcher Islene Pinder, BALAM Dance Theatre (BALAM) joins diverse dances and historical periods from around the world with the dazzling opulence and magical aura of Balinese theatre. A New York City-based chamber company, BALAM creates an entertainment experience that appeals to audiences of all ages and backgrounds. The company’s innovative artistry and movement fusion of athletic and detailed skills are enhanced by eclectic music, striking masks, vibrant costumes and fantasy stories.
Programs include customized choreographies, lectures, demonstrations, master classes and workshops that educate the community at the grassroots level. BALAM has been featured at numerous festivals and venues, including First Night New York, Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, and Downtown Dance Festival and appeared throughout the United States and internationally. Praise has been received from the New York Times and Village Voice, the Governor and people of Bali and the Indonesian Consulate of New York, as well as others.
For further information, call 646-361-9183 or visit BALAM Dance Theatre on its blog, www.balamdancetheatre.blogspot.com, and follow the company on Facebook, www.facebook.com/balamdancetheatre, and Pinterest at http://www.pinterest.com/BALAMDance/. Check for updates on Twitter @BALAMDance https://twitter.com/BALAMDance and view the company's work at https://www.youtube.com/user/BalamDance.
