A thoughtfully woven program in PPO's tribute to Hector Berlioz

Violist Rey Casey Concepcion, conductor Michaël Cousteau,
and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra paid tribute to French conductor Hector Berlioz in the occasion of the French composer's 150th death anniversary through a concert led by guest conductor Michaël Cousteau.

Conductor Michaël Cousteau and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra

Presented by the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Embassy of France, and Stores Specialists, Inc, the concert featured a thoughtfully woven program consisting of music by Berlioz and some of his contemporaries.

French Ambassador Nicolas Galey, soprano Rachelle Gerodias, conductor Michaël
Cousteau, violist Rey Casey Concepcion, baritone Byeong-In Park,
and CCP Board Member Baltazar Endriga

Right off the bat, Berlioz presence was felt with his orchestration of the French National anthem performed by the PPO (that included three timpanists) and sung by real life couple Rachelle Gerodias and Byeong-In Park.

The program started with Wagner's Prelude from Tristan und Isolde WWV 90. This piece is usually followed by the Liebestodt but in this evening, it surprisingly segued to Berlioz' Harold en Italie, Op.16 H. 68 instead that had me double checking the souvenir program to see if there hadn't been any mistake. The entrances and exit of violist Rey Casey Concepcion throughout the piece provided a bit of theatricality in the performance which is quite melancholic and relaxed as opposed to the explosive concerto. But Concepcion still delivered a display of technical virtuosity with his encore of Capriccio in C minor, Op. 55 'Hommage à Paganini' by Henri Vieuxtemps.

The second half of the concert consisted of Berlioz' Scène d'amour from Roméo et Juliette, Op. 17, H. 79 and Franz Liszt's Les préludes, S. 97. It was not easy listening to these pieces which aren't really my cup of tea. And being program music, it would've helped greatly knowing the context of the pieces. But I was later told Cousteau had a lecture at the Les Jeudis Culturels the night before explaining the musical connection between these pieces. It made me regret not attending the lecture so that I would've had a greater understanding and appreciation of the PPO's performance in this concert.

Ballet Manila's Giselle: A major step "On pointé" towards rebuilding

The cast of Ballet Manila's Giselle

After a massive fire gutted Star City, completely destroying Star Theater and damaging Aliw Theater that has housed Ballet Manila's performances for years, the remainder of company's 24th season was put in major doubt. But the company's CEO and Co-Artistic Director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde's determined resolve to rise from the ashes, her dancers' desire to perform no matter what, coupled with the arts community rallying behind Ballet Manila, the impossible was made possible.

Eventually staged at the Cultural Center of the Philippines through a venue grant with backdrops, sets, props and fog machine lent by Ballet Philippines and the Manila Symphony Orchestra led by Alexander Vikulov offering a discount on their services, Ballet Manila's staging of Giselle pushed through with a one night performance at the CCP's Main Theater.

Looking back as 2019 starts to wind down, this has got to be one of the key moments in the arts and culture scene of the year or possibly even this decade.

To say that the company gave an inspired performance would be a complete understatement. Dancing the titular role of Giselle was principal Joan Sia who already did the part at the very same venue for Dance MNL a little over three years before. Being the veteran in the role, she took charge and danced as if everything depended on her which is no small feat for a character who was supposed to be naive, vulnerable, and frail.

Elpidio Magat's Albrecht provided more than just ample support for Sia's Giselle. His acting gave the audience an avenue to channel their grief. And his brisés towards the end of Act II had power and excitement that further heightened the sense of urgency as his death at the hands of the willis was becoming more imminent.

Conductor Alexander Vikulov, Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, and Ballet Manila

The confident pairing of Nicole Barroso and Joshua Enciso at the Peasant Pas de deux showed why Ballet Manila's future is secure.

Akari Ida as Myrtha embodied coldness in character as she executed her steps without fail. And Mark Sumaylo take on Hilarion made me feel sorry for him as someone who always had Giselle's best interest at heart only having to meet a tragic end while the deceptive Albrecht lived to see another day.

The corps were more mature and showed improvement in leaps and bounds compared to how they were at Chopiniana from their Deux 23rd season ender earlier this year. Every time the audience showered applause to the corps whenever they were spot on, it felt like it was not just an applause for an exceptional performance, but also an applause to show their assurance, a way of communicating to the entire Ballet Manila company that the arts community have their back, that they will not be alone as they rebuild and rise from the ashes. It was one of the moments that makes an impact for life even if one was just a member of the audience.

As always, having Alexander Vikulov lead the Manila Symphony Orchestra means that one can just sit back and be immersed with the ballet without worrying that the tempo and dynamics aren't suited or tailor made to whoever is dancing on stage.

Present on that night were dancers from the Philippine Ballet Theatre who led the loudest cheers from the audience, officials from Ballet Philippines, members of the diplomatic corps, personalities from various arts and culture organizations, and even people who one would never imagine bumping into at the ballet.

The coming year will not be easy for Ballet Manila. But the way they showed their strength as a company with their recent staging of Giselle, one cannot help but feel optimistic that they will eventually rise once again.

Young Filipino and Korean musicians unite in concert

The winners of the FilKor Youth Concerto Competition
with the FilKor Youth Orchestra

The future classical music stars in the country shone at the FilKor Youth Orchestra Gala Concert/1st FilKor Youth Concerto Competition held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines last October.

Emerging victorious at the competition was pianist Jaemin Irene Lee who was awarded the Grand Prize for her performance of the opening movement of Camille Saint-Saëns' Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22, showing her mastery of the keys that was well beyond her young age of 17.

The other finalists at the competition were violinist Emanuel John Villarin (1st Prize) who performed the first movement of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35, clarinetist Franz Jensen Andra (2nd Prize) who performed the first movement of Carl Maria von Weber's Clarinet Concerto No. 1 in F minor, Op. 73, and violinist Jeanne Rafaella Marquez (3rd Prize) who performed the third movement of Jean Sibelius' Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47. The four finalists were chosen among the sixteen contestants who auditioned back in August.

Conductor Jeffrey Solares and the FilKor Youth Orchestra

The evening also saw the debut of the FilKor Youth Orchestra, a combined orchestra composed of Filipino (mostly from the Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra) and Korean musicians aged 22 and younger. Conducted by Jefrey Solares, the orchestra accompanied the finalists with their respective concerto movements and also performed a selection of music ranging from classical (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Overture to The Marriage of Figaro K.492, Alexander Borodin's Polovtsian Dances from Prince Igor, Georges Bizet's Farandole from L'Arlésienne Suite No. 2), traditional folk song (Arirang and Atin Cu Pung Singsing), and a crowd pleasing medley of John Williams' film soundtracks.

The FilKor Youth Orchestra Gala Concert/1st FilKor Youth Concerto Competition was presented by the Korean Women's Association of the Philippines and the Clarion Chamber Ensemble. This music event is part of the 70th Anniversary Celebrations of the Diplomatic Relations between the Philippines and Korea.

Getting to know Leonardo da Vinci through film, theater, and cuisine

Five centuries have passed since Leonardo da Vinci's death but his works still remain among the most treasured in all of art history and his legacy continues to live on up to the present. From the Mona Lisa, The Last Supper, to The Da Vinci code and even the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Leonardo da Vinci's contribution to the world of fine arts and pop culture cannot be denied. In commemoration of the 500th Anniversary of Da Vinci's death, the Philippine-Italian Association, the Embassy of Italy, and the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines along with partner institutions namely the Cultural Center of the Philippines present Leonardo in Manila a series of artistic and cultural events ranging from theater, film, and cuisine, celebrating da Vinci's universal genius this November 13-21, 2019.

Eugeniu Rotaru
Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Italy

Headlining Leonardo in Manila is Being Leonardo, An Impossible Interview which can be seen in either a short film, a feature length film, or as a live theater production. For these events, Italian director and actor Masimilliano Finazzer Flory will be flying in to Manila to present the films which he starred in and directed, to conduct workshops and talks, and lastly, to perform on stage.

Massimiliano Finazzer Flory

Being Leonardo da Vinci, An impossible Interview, the Play

Portraying Leonardi da Vinci's life on stage, Being Leonardo da Vinci An Impossible Interview's one night performance happens on November 21, 2019, 7:00 PM at the Cultural Center of the Philippines' Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater).

The two man play written, directed and starring Massimiliano Finazzer Flory as Leonardo da Vinci will also feature Filipino actor, director and writer Carlito Casaje as the journalist/interviewer.

Dressed in period costumes, complete with make-up recreating, Finazzer Flory portrays da Vinci as he answers questions about his childhood, his civil and military activities, and how to become a "good painter" (bono pittore), and about the relationship between Painting and Science, Painting and Sculpture, Painting and Music. The play will also touch upon da Vinci's comments on The Last Supper and the figures of the apostles, replies to his enemies' attacks, prophesies man's flying, and finally offers maxims and aphorisms to live by in our times.

Being Leonardo da Vinci, Masterclass and Film screening

On November 20, 2:00 PM, at the Cultural Center of the Philippines' Tanghalang Manuel Conde (CCP Dream Theater), Finazzer Flory will conduct a masterclass to be followed by the screening of the short film version of Being Leonardo, An Impossible Interview.

Assisted by Lito Casaje, the masterclass will cover how cinematic techniques have absorbed Leonardo's teaching, by conjugating photography, editing and screenplay together with history and pictorial theories, in order to raise Nature and Environment to the role of protagonist. Today this philosophy is supported by the school of thought known as Deep Ecology.

Being Leonardo da Vinci, An Impossible Interview at Cine Europa 22

The full length film Leonardo da Vinci An Impossible Interview will be screened as part of the final leg of Cine Europa 22 on November 19, 2019, 7:30 PM at the Cinematheque Center Manila, Film Development Council of the Philippines.

Prior to the screening at 5:00 PM, a presentation and discussion of the film by Finazzer Flory is also scheduled.

The film follows two journalists, from New York and Milan unaware of each other, are looking for a scoop about the 500th anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci’s death. They see works of art and they pass thorough the places of the Genius between landscapes and mysterious encounters. In Florence for the first time during a show in costume between friars, tourists and flag-wavers unexpected traces are found. In Milan, a document to find out who Leonardo Man was through a scientific examination was discovered. Then they come to his final resting place in Clos Lucé and there they meet Leonardo face to face. The interview is granted. The words of the Genius are authentic, in Renaissance language. At the end Leonardo escapes through the undergrounds, returning to Vigevano and unveiling to the most important figures of his time where he reveals…

Silvana Diaz
VP Culture, Philippine-Italian Association

The other events of Leonardo in Manila cover cuisine and the culinary arts.

Cook off with Leonardo

The culinary events of Leonardo in Manila already began with a series of lectures by Italian chef Salvatorre Arria, consultant in Italian regional cuisine, at St. Scholastica's College, Lyceum of the Philippine University, and National University. The lecture served to contextualize Leonardo da Vinci in cuisine, his recipes, the historical context and the ingredients available in Italy at that time.

The participating schools (St. Scho, LPU, and NU) will then use what they've learned in the lectures and whip up three dishes at the Cook Off with Leonardo on November 14, 2019, 9:00 AM at the Lyceum of the Philippines University Culinary Institute. 

The Last Supper

Rivaling the Mona Lisa as one of da Vinci's most popular works is The Last Supper. The release of Dan Brown's novel thriller The Da Vinci Code and also the subsequent movie adaptation starring Tom Hanks only raised the work's popularity even further. The conspiracy theories raised about the painting in the novel/movie may be spotty and questionable, but on November 13, 2019, 7:00 PM, a more credible discussion to The Last Supper by James Freney of the Philippine-Italian Association will take place before a hearty  dinner at the Caruso Ristorante Italiano.

The lecture will focus on the story of the Last Supper, its relevance, its messages in the context of the Reinaissance period and with the emergence of Humanism. The Leonardo themed menu to be served at the dinner will be specially concocted by restaurant director Emilio Mina.

Leonardo Wine & Cuisine

While most of the world knew da Vinci as both an artist and a man of science, it is a rarely known fact that he was very much into food as well.

A presentation on Leonardo on how he was in the kitchen and in the cellar will be conducted by chef Salvatore Arria and sommelier Luca Galli before a special dinner on November 20, 2019, 7:00 PM at the Ponte Rialto Ristorante Italiano at the Venice Grand Canal Mall.

Alessandro Milani
General Manager Philippine-Italian Association

Here is the schedule of events for Leonardo in Manila.

November 13, 2019
The Last Supper
Caruso Ristorante Italiano, Bel-Air, Makati

November 14, 2019

Cook Off with Leonardo
Culinary Institute Lyceum of the Philippine University, Manila

November 19, 2019

Being Leonardo da Vinci, Cine Europa 22 Screening
Cinematheque Center Manila, FDCP

November 20, 2019

Being Leonardo da Vinci, Masterclass and Short Film Screening
Cultural Center of the Philippines, Tanghalang Manuel Conde (CCP Dream Theater)

Leonardo, Wine & Cuisine
Ponte Rialto Ristorante Italiano, Venice Grand Canal Mall, Upper McKinley, Taguig

November 21, 2019

Being Leonardo da Vinci, An Impossible Interview, the Play

Cultural Center of the Philippines, Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Little Theater)

Leonardo in Manila is presented by the Philippine-Italian Association, Embassy of Italy, and the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, Inc. in cooperation with the Cultural Center of the Philippines and supported by OMAN AIR, Rustan's, Hotel Jen Manila, and East West Bank.

Violinist Diomedes Saraza Jr., cellist Kim Yeonjin, conductor Darrell Ang team up in MSO concert

The Manila Symphony Orchestra's upcoming concert will see concertmaster Diomedes Saraza, Jr., Korean cellist Kim Yeonjin, and Grammy nominated conductor Darrell Ang team up at the Meralco Theater on November 16, 2019, 4:00 PM.

Billed as Pas de Deux, the concert will feature Johannes Brahms' Double Concerto in A minor, Op. 102 with Saraza, Jr. and Kim as the double soloists and also Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's ballet suite from Swan Lake, Op. 20.

Japanese ensemble SORA headlines PPO November concert

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra welcomes the SORA Ensemble from Japan for their upcoming concert this November 15, 2019, 8:00 PM at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater). 

SORA Ensemble, composed of oboist Hiromasa Iwasaki, bassoonist Rei Ishiguro, violinist Kana Kobayashi, and cellist Keiichi Yamada, will be the soloists for Franz Joseph Haydn's Sinfonia Concertante in B-flat major, Op. 84 Hob. I/105. Other pieces to be performed at the concert include Dmitri Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 9 in E-flat major Op. 70 and Arturo Márquez' Danzón No. 7 and Danzón No. 8. Music Director/Principal Conductor Yoshikazu Fukumura will lead the PPO in this performance.

The SORA Ensemble was formed by Hiromasa Iwasaki, the principal oboist of the Sapporo Symphony Orchestra and young musicians in 2008. Along with the motto Music at Anytime, Anywhere, they have performed more than a hundred concerts annually to cities, towns and villages in Hokkaido and other parts of Japan, to bring to people the energetic live performances of chamber music, symphony and other ensemble music. Their first album SORA with Hokkaido was released in 2018 commemorating the group’s 10th Anniversary.

Hungarian Film Festival returns to the Shang

Bet on horses and more as the Embassy of Hungary, Film Development Council of the Philippines, and the Shangri-La Plaza present the 3rd Hungarian Film Festival happening on November 14-17, 2019 at the Shang's Red Carpet.

Leading the selection of films is Kincsem - Bet on Revenge, Hungary's most expensive local film production to date and the biggest box-office hit in the past decade. This film is based on the true story of the legendary racehorse Kincsem who held the longest streak of any racing horse in history. 

Other films in the lineup include the romantic drama Moscow Square/Moszkva tér, the adventure romcom Brazils/Brazilok, the true to life drama Genesis/Genezis, and the animated feature Tales from the Lakeside/Lengemesék.

Hungarian Embassy's Deputy Head of Mission
Dávid Ambrus

Admission to the films are for free on a first come, first served basis. Films will be shown in their original language with English subtitles with the exception of Tales from the Lakeside which will be dubbed in English.

Here are the selection of films lined up for the 3rd Hungarian Film Festival.

Kincsem - Bet on Revenge

Director: Gábor Herendi

Cast: Ervin Nagy, Andrea Petrik, Tibor Gáspár, József Gyabronka, Tamás Keresztes, Fekete Tibor, Péter Scherer, Zoltán Rátóti, Lehel Kovács, Zalán Makranczi, Mónika Balsai, Kati Lázár, Zoltán Seress, Zoltán Schneider, János Papp, Csaba Krisztik

The new owner of a brilliant race horse finds love while carrying out his revenge on the man who murdered his father.

Moscow Square/Moszkva tér

Director: Ferenc Török

Cast: Zsolt Kovács, Erzsi Pápai, Gábor Karalyos, Ilona Béres, Eszter Balla, András Réthelyi, Simon Szabó, Bence Jávor, Imre Csuja, Vilmos Csatlós

April 27th, 1989. It is Petya's 18th birthday and his friends gather in Budapest's Moscow Square to pop champagne and begin lengthy celebrations. May Day sees them swimming in the famous Hotel Gellert and breakfasting on Liberty Bridge, as the political clouds begin to lift and it seems youth and the country face a brave new future...

Brazils/Brazilok

Director: Csaba M. Kiss, Gábor Rohonyi

Cast: Erik Lakatos, Barnabás Bergendi, Dániel Viktor Nagy, Béla Dóra, Csaba Lakatos, Renátó Lakatos, Krisztofer Pászik, Franciska Farkas, Norbert Nagy, Gergely Kaszás, Blanka Mészáros

The mayor of the small village of Acsa, urged by the new young priest of the village, announces that this year the gypsy football team called Brazils can also take part in the football championship of the village; and this year, thanks to a Brazilian millionaire originally from Acsa, the winning team will be invited to Rio de Janeiro.

Genesis/Genezis

Director: Árpád Bogdán

Cast: Milán Csordás, Anna Marie Cseh, Eniko Anna Illesi, Lídia Danis, Zsolt Kovács, Levente Molnár, Tamás Ravasz, István Szilvási, Szofi Berki, Roland Tzafetás

The three stories within Genesis are rooted in the biblical notion of family: a woman in her late thirties rediscovers the faith she lost as a child; a mother goes to extreme lengths to ensure that her child is saved from the fate that she was forced to endure; a Roma boy's family are killed, and the perfect world of his childhood is destroyed. All three stories are based on real events that took place in Hungary: the Roma murders. The three protagonists are one way or another affected by these events, which change their lives fundamentally.

Tales from the Lakeside/Lengemesék

Director: Zsolt Pálfi

The green Verdies are the tiny, but brave guardians of the lakeside. The young Verdies only become guardians when their hair turns brown. Until then, however, life is boring. The youngsters with green hair are not allowed to fly on warblers, not allowed to row alone, and they're not allowed to ride wild frogs at the rodeo. Willy Whistle's big dream is to become a guardian, but his curiosity always gets him into trouble. However, the whole lake becomes at risk when the enemies of the lakeside, the Grimps and the swans, enter into alliance. The guardians are helpless, but Willy comes up with a daring plan in order to save his home and his trapped friend, Jeremiah Jump. Luckily he is not alone, because Grandpa, the water snakes and the frogs also come to his aid.

Here is the screening schedule for the 3rd Hungarian Film Festival.

November 14, 2019
3:20 PM Brazils/Brazilok
5:30 PM Moscow Square/Moszkva tér
7:30 PM Genesis/Genezis

November 15, 2019
2:50 PM Genesis/Genezis
5:20 PM Brazils/Brazilok
7:30 PM Kincsem - Bet on Revenge

November 16, 2019
2:50 PM Tales from the Lakeside/Lengemesék
5:20 PM Kincsem - Bet on Revenge
7:30 PM Brazils/Brazilok

November 17, 2019
2:50 PM Tales from the Lakeside/Lengemesék
5:00 PM Genesis/Genezis
7:30 PM Moscow Square/Moszkva tér

The 3rd Hungarian Film Festival is presented by the Embassy of Hungary, Film Development Council of the Philippines, and the Shangri-La Plaza Mall.

Love, magic and mischief in Ballet Philippines' A Midsummer Night's Dream

The cast of A Midsummer Night's Dream

Back in early 2013, I saw the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra perform Felix Mendelssohn's A Midsummer Night's Dream Suite at one of their season concerts and it made me regret right away missing Ballet Philippines' adaptation of that William Shakespeare play that the company staged just the month before.

It didn't help that BP continued to present in subsequent years an excerpt from this Carlo Pacis choreographed ballet set to the Nocturne which is my favorite piece from the suite. This left me wondering for years where this excerpt fits with the rest of the ballet. And to remind me further of what I've missed was Tanghalang Pilipino's 2016 production of Panaginip sa Isang Gabi ng Gitnang Tag-Araw, a Filipino translation of the play.

Denise Parungao and Dan Dayo

Six years later, I finally saw the whole picture as Pacis' A Midsummer Night's Dream made a successful comeback to the Cultural Center of the Philippines' stage as the second offering of Ballet Philippines' 50th Gold Anniversary Season.

The ballet adaptation is straightforward retelling of Shakespeare's comedy of the intertwined stories of the faerie king Oberon and queen Titania, the Athenian lovers Lysander and Hermia, Demetrius and Helena, the royals Duke Theseus of Athens and Queen Hippolyta of the Amazons, and lastly, a group of ragtag band of actors led by Quince.

AL Abraham, Sarah Alejandro, Jemima Reyes, and Earl John Arisola
lead the dancing at the Wedding

The neoclassical choreography by Pacis clearly conveyed the story and established the characters spot on. The otherworldliness of Titania (Denise Parungao and Katrene San Miguel) and Oberon (portrayed by Ronelson Yadao and Lester Reguindin) was shown by having them carried by the corps of faeries and faerie men giving them the illusion of weightlessness.

The boundless energy of Puck (Victor Maguad and Dan Dayo) with his multitude of tricks contributed to his impish nature. The personification of Love-In-Idleness/Flower (Gia Gequinto and Jemima Reyes) gave Puck not just a dancing partner but also worthy accomplice in spreading his mischief.

There was a sense of being grounded with the four Athenian lovers, Hermia (Jemima Reyes and Monica Gana), Lysander (Earl John Arisola), Helena (Sarah Alejandro and Jessa Tangalin), and Demetrius (AL Abraham and Eugene Obille) whose lives and eventual fates were at the mercy of the capricious supernatural beings. How these pair of lovers willingly/unwillingly came into contact with each other through the course of the ballet was a foil to the tension and disconnect between Titania and Oberon.

The cast of A Midsummer Night's Dream

While brief, the spotlight on the Rustics composed of Bottom/Pyramus (Dan Dayo and Emmanuelle Guillermo), Starveling/Wall (John Ababon/Mark Balucay, Quince/Director (Ace Polias), Snug/Lion (Emmanuelle Guillermo and Luigie Barrera), Flute/Thisbe (Erl Sorilla and Bonifacio Guerrero), and Snout/Moonshine (Earvin Guillermo) was a comedic highlight.

With all the spotlight on the other characters, the pair that was left with the short end of the stick for me in characterization was that of Queen Hippolyta (Stephanie Santiago and Denise Parungao) and Duke Theseus (Eugene Obille and Ronelson Yadao). The pair somehow made up for their lack of characterization by being part of the intricately choreographed group wedding scene.

Post show meet and greet with the cast

The costumes by Eric Pineda with additional design by Ricardo Eric Cruz gave the faeries tights with a single vivid color (blue for Oberon and pink for Titania) with minimal detail/accessories. This was supported by the imposing stylized tree set occupying a huge chunk of the set. Instead of going all traditional in how faeries and a mystical forest are depicted, this production went with a distinctly modern touch. My only gripe was when the some of the upper branches of the tree went down to form some sort of panels at the wedding scene, the stage got a bit too cramped with all the dancers doing the intricate choreography.

Finally, I was able to see the epilogue with the Nocturne music with its proper context. I appreciate how Oberon and Titania now wore nude tights with hints of green foliage detail as if they finally shed their brightly colored tights as well as their egos. Their movements became softer and their points of contact more intimate. A growth within the pair upon realizing what they've done out of pettiness and with it, the ballet ended with Puck offering a final thought on whether all had been a dream.

Souvenir programs and a sprout pencil giveaway

The biggest surprise for me in this ballet was hearing more than just the incidental music that Mendelssohn composed. Also used were music from what I believe belonged to his string symphonies. Which ones, I couldn't tell. But the biggest music highlight for me was the clever use of the 2nd and 3rd movements of Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64 in key scenes of the ballet. There was a time when I got sick and tired of this piece but because of the ballet and seeing the music in a different light, I cannot wait to see a live performance of this concerto once again.

RAd's Playlist | Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream

Relive the ballet with Felix Mendelssohn's A Midsummer Night's Dream (and more) recorded by Chicago Symphony Orchestra under the baton of James Levine.