The production’s dancing and technical elements all shine at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House
Though a bit of an unconventional programming choice for the Valentine’s Day season, as the ballet ends with the protagonist dying alone of dementia, the Colorado Ballet’s production of Lady of the Camellias is a grandiose, bittersweet romance with elegant choreography.
Lady of the Camellias is based on Alexandre Dumas fils’ 1848 novel La Dame aux Camélias. It has been adapted into over 20 films and produced onstage numerous times, most famously in La traviata, an operatic version of the narrative.
The story follows Marguerite (played on opening night at the Colorado Ballet by Dana Benton), a young courtesan, and her doomed love affair with Armand Duval (Yosvani Ramos). They meet at a party hosted at Marguerite’s apartment in Paris when she manages to escape her escort, Baron de Varville (Christophor Moulton).
Marguerite and Armand continue to see each other in secret, but their festivities are interrupted when Baron de Varville bursts in and demands she leave with him. Marguerite rejects him, but that evening she is visited by Duval Sr. (Domenico Luciano), Armand’s father, who asks that, for social acceptability, she renounce her love for Armand. Though she reluctantly agrees, Armand is furious and challenges Baron de Varville to a duel that haunts Marguerite until her final moments.
Jessica Payne and Bryce Lee APP | Photo: Mike Watson
It’s a tragic story beautifully communicated through Val Caniparoli’s electric choreography. Caniparoli has been the ballet’s original choreographer since its world premiere at Ballet Florida in 1994 and joins the Colorado Ballet for the Colorado premiere. His choreography blends elements of dance from traditional ballet and more contemporary sources to express the character’s deep emotional turmoil.
Caniparoli’s work especially shines in the more intimate partner dance and solo moments, during which he weaves in experimental dance elements to highlight Marguerite and Armand’s love and loss. The ensemble executes their technically impressive group numbers with precision to bring in a classical sensibility that fans of the craft will adore.
The conductor, Adam Flatt, directs the Colorado Ballet Orchestra, which fills the Ellie Caulkin Opera House with the ballet’s sweeping score. The music is masterfully performed by the musicians and accents the staging of the piece by Charla Metzker and Maiqui Manosa.
The Colorado Ballet uses the set and costumes from the Boston Ballet’s production of the ballet in 2015, designed by David Gano and Robert Glay de La Rose. These elements are jaw-dropping, and the set complements the space so well, it’s hard to believe it wasn’t custom made. Nevertheless, the scenic design and costumes lavishly add to the ballet’s French bourgeoisie setting.
Its story unfolds at a satisfying pace that allows you to get lost in the romance before witnessing the tragedy. There are two intermissions throughout that punctuate key moments in the ballet and that give the audience a chance to mingle and digest the complex emotions of the piece.
Lady of the Camellias’ devasting ending might make for a bit of an awkward car ride home for any couple who saw this on a romantic date night; however, despite its dark themes, the piece’s staging, dancing and technical elements all shine. Though perhaps not recommended for small children, this is the perfect introduction to the form for teens and up who are looking for something a little more edgy than The Nutcracker in their ballet education.
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