Rocky Mountain Ballet Theatre joins Rossetti Trio in “An Affair to Remember”
Published: February 16, 2010
Rocky Mountain Ballet Theatre brings the Rossetti String Trio from Los Angeles to Missoula for an evening of music and dance titled “An Affair to Remember,” 8 p.m. Feb. 26 at the MCT Center for the Performing Arts. Founding members Henry Gronnier and Thomas Diener will perform works of Debussy, Ravel and Dvorak with pianist Rina Dokshitsky.
Praised as a “vital force among chamber music ensembles,” the Rossetti Trio is renowned for its highly sophisticated, sensual sound and extensive range of colors.
The Rossetti’s compelling stage presence and fresh, innovative style has won its members a devoted following throughout the United States. Their national and international appearances are numerous, and include performances at the Frick Collection and Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall in New York City, the Mostly Mozart Festival at the Lincoln Center, for the Music Guild of Los Angeles, and at New York City’s 92nd Street Y with soprano Juliane Banse.
The group, founded in 1996, is named after 19th century Pre-Raphaelite painter Dante Gabriel Rossetti, whose artistic ideals about the use of color, poetry and naturalism are embodied in the quartet’s musicianship. Each member is an accomplished musical artist in his and her own right, and helps create the intimate, provocative atmosphere that has become the ensemble’s trademark. "The Rossetti's tone had a sensual finish, and its phrasing practically palpitated with ardor and mystery," writes the Washington Post.
In addition to this musical highlight, RMBT Artistic Director Charlene Campbell will premiere three new ballets to the music of Tchaikovsky and Mozart. The company performed with the Moscow Ballet on its recent tour through Montana and has been invited to tour to Russia on a cultural exchange in 2010.
Tickets are $45 (reserved seating) and include a silent auction at 7 p.m. in the MCT lobby. An Encore for VIP ticket, at $90, offers exclusive seating, champagne with the trio and an encore performance just for VIP ticket-holders; order online at www.rmbt.org and by calling 406-549-5155.
