The ballet will be performed to the enchanting music of La Traviata, the famous opera by Guiseppe Verdi, and accompanied by the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Allan Stephenson.
The prolific South African choreographer Veronica Paeper created Camille in 1990. Based on the novel by Alexandre Dumas, The Lady of the Camellias, the ballet tells the evergreen love story of Marguerite, a courtesan, who falls in love with the young Armand Duval. Through the interference of Armand’s father, their relationship is doomed.
Tracy Li, one of Cape Town’s all-time favourite ballerinas returns to reprise her role of Camille. Li retired from dancing in 2007, but stayed on at CTCB as coach and administrator. In 2012 she was invited to give workshops in Hong Kong at the Christine Liao School of Ballet. While there, the lead dancer for Swan Lake fell ill and Tracy stepped in at the last minute. To the delight of her fans, she is now back to perform as guest artist for Cape Town City Ballet.
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Her dance partner, the talented young Jesse Milligan, hailed by critics for his bursting energy and sparkling stage personality, debuts as Armand. For CTCB he has danced in Giselle, Night & Day and The Nutcracker.
For the performances on 2, 8 and 11 May the multiple-award winning Laura Bösenberg will team up with ex-Kirov dancer Thomas Thorne; while the delightful Kim Vieira and Daniel Szybkowski will partner in the roles on 4, 10 and 12 May.
Ever-popular Johnny Bovang will perform the role of Monsieur Germont, Armand’s father. Bovang, until recently South Africa’s leading danseur noble, now excels in character roles, for which he has received critical acclaim.
Six of the performances will be accompanied by live symphony orchestra, while two of the performances will be danced to recorded music.
© Photo by Pat Bromilow-Downing
Need to know
- Dates: 2-12 May 2013
- Venue: Artscape Opera House
- Bookings: COMPUTICKET or ARTSCAPE Dial-a-Seat on 021 421 7695.
- Tickets: R100 to R280.
- CONCESSION: Friends of Cape Town City Ballet (membership number required) R20.00 off each ticket (all prices, all performances).
Stay in Cape Town
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Portfolio Collection offers a range of fine, charming Cape Town City Bowl accommodation perfect for a night in the city after watching the ballet at Artscape.
While you''re in Cape Town...
- Have a fine craft beer and pulled pork sandwich at &Union in Bree Street
- Check out some fresh young art at Whatiftheworld gallery in Woodstock
- Stroll through the Company’s Gardens and do a ‘museum mile’ from the National Gallery, Houses of Parliament Iziko Museum & Planetarium(which covers all things celestial), and the Iziko Slave Lodge