Last year, because of the cost associated with having live music accompanying the Atlanta Ballet, the orchestra was "fired."
It made our Columbus Ballet buck the trend of getting rid of musicians in favor of recorded music. I think the Columbus Ballet was the only ballet in the state with an orchestra. It's something that artistic and executive director David Herriott was very proud to have. And rightly so.
Well, I just got a press release that said the Atlanta Ballet will have the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra back for the 2008/2009 season.
A trustee of the Atlanta Ballet, Patti Wallace, came up with a one-year gift of $200,000 to help bring back live music to the performances. Michael and Kristine Robison pledged $50,000 to sponsor a conductor for the season. Kristine Robison is also a trustee.
“What a tremendous gift to the Atlanta Ballet and our city’s cultural community,” said John McFall Atlanta Ballet’s artistic director. “When I met Patti ten years ago, she was introduced to me as a ‘patron of the arts.’ This gesture illustrates what a genuine understanding she has as a leader in supporting the arts.”
McFall and Wallace met when Atlanta Ballet toured in Haywood, N.C., where she has a home.
“I have been a fan of the Atlanta Ballet for years and while they hold a special place in my heart, this is a good business decision," Wallace said. "The arts are vital in Atlanta’s emergence as a world-class city, and live music is an integral part of professional dance that will help grow our base of audiences and donors. I am proud to be able to provide the support to accelerate the return of the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra.”
McFall went on to say that “the gift made by our generous patrons represents significant faith in the organization and the future of dance.”
Last week, the Atlanta Ballet worked out an agreement with the Atlanta Federation of Musicians for the one-year contract for live music for some performances.
This means "Swan Lake," "Dracula" and "Don Quixote" will have live music at every performance. "The Nutcracker" will have the orchestra for the performances on Dec. 5-7.
“This is a very special occasion for us, as it has always been our intention to bring live music back to our performances,” says Barry Hughson, Atlanta Ballet’s executive director. “Because of this very generous contribution, we will be able to have live music back for a large part of our 2008-2009 Season. While this is an exciting step, we still have further to go, and need the support of the whole community, so that live music will be a part of every one of our performances in future seasons.”
For a while now, the Atlanta Ballet has been working on a business plan to bring long-term financial stability to the organization. Atlanta Ballet’s Board of Directors made the decision to switch to digital music as a cost-saving measure in the summer of 2006. Right after that, there was a national search for a new executive director. Hughson, a former professional dancer with a 16-year history in senior arts administration, was named to the position.
He's been very busy. Hughson completed negotiations on the sale of the organization’s midtown property, the purchase of their future headquarters at 1695 Marietta Boulevard, engineered the move to the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre and is leading the development and implementation of the five-year institutional business and fundraising plan.
"Swan Lake" opens the season at the Cobb Energy Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23, 8 p.m. Oct. 24; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Oct. 25 and Nov. 1; 2 p.m. Oct. 26 and Nov. 2. Tickets are $15-$115.
For tickets, call Ticketmaster at 404-817-8700 or visit atlantaballet.com
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