Kevin Rhodes (Photo by John Robert Williams)
SPRINGFIELD – The Massachusetts-based American conductor Kevin Rhodes will conduct the Rudolf Nureyev production of Raymonda at the Vienna State Opera Ballet, with performances on December 22, 26, 27, 30, and January 3, and 8. Rhodes returns to Vienna for his 21st season, and he will also conduct the annual Nureyev Gala at the Vienna State Opera on June 28.
Raymonda is one of Russia’s classic full-length ballets, with original choreography by Marius Petipa to music of Alexander Glazunov. It was first preented in St. Petersburg in 1898, and later was revived by the Kirov Ballet in 1948, in a production by Konstantin Sergeyev. Nureyev staged his version, inspired by the Kirov, in the West, after his flight from the Soviet Union in 1961. He choreographed a production for the Royal Ballet at the Spoleto Festival in Italy in 1964; He staged his definitive version for the Paris Opera Ballet in 1983-84, upon becoming the Ballet’s director.
Maestro Rhodes first conducted Nureyev’s production of Raymonda in Vienna in 1997, and he has also conducted that version of the ballet in Paris..
Maestro Rhodes divides his time between his roles as Music Director for the Springfield Symphony Orchestra in Massachusetts, and the Traverse Symphony in Michigan; he is celebrating his 16th season with both ensembles. He is also Principal Conductor for Boston’s Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra for his 7th season. This fall, Maestro Rhodes conducted an all-Balanchine program as part of the Paris Opera Ballet’s Homage to Violette Verdy. .A regular guest conductor at Europe’s top opera houses for over 20 years, this season he also returns to the Stuttgart Ballet to conduct Romeo and Juliet and makes his debut with the Norwegian National Ballet in Oslo, conducting Don Quixote.
For details on the Vienna State Opera Ballet’s production Raymonda: http://www.wiener-staatsoper.at/Content.Node/home/Startseite-Content.en.php
For Kevin Rhodes’ website: http://kevinrhodesconductor.com/
For Kevin Rhodes biography: http://www.parkerartists.com/Kevin-Rhodes.html
