Ballet Ariel’s original ballet Carmen Suite, by resident choreographer Gregory Gonzales, is a masterful re-imagining of the classic opera. Set in the 1930s and performed to music from the opera Carmen by Georges Bizet. Ballet Ariel’s Carmen Suite is a 20th century tale of great love and great anguish for the chivalrous Don Jose who surrenders his heart to the fiery gypsy only to lose her to the glamorous toreador Escamillo. As a key member of Ballet Ariel’s creative team, Gonzales is known for his mesmeric, contemporary choreography, creating a deep and moving modern masterwork.

Also on the program is The Three Cornered Hat, the comedic story of a magistrate who is infatuated with a miller’s wife whom he attempts to seduce despite her desires to remain faithful to her husband. The ballet is set in Spain with elements of Spanish dance woven into classical ballet style. Ballet Ariel Director Ilena Norton has choreographed an original version of the comic ballet, which premiered in 1919, inspired by the classic Spanish story by Pedro Alarcon to the beautiful score written by Manuel de Falla.