Our Goal:

Opera Lafayette and the Joffrey Ballet School are raising money to fund a special six-week dance residency of Joffrey Ballet School students and alumni for the upcoming opera-ballet Les Fêtes de Thalie. During the residency, Joffrey Ballet School dancers will work with New York City Ballet alumna, actress, and renowned choreographer Antonia Franceschi.

The upcoming production of Les Fêtes de Thalie will give Joffrey students and alumni an extraordinary opportunity to learn from seasoned professionals, hone their artistry, and experience the unique art form of opera-ballet.

Supporter benefits to include:

Private lunches with members of the cast and creative team
Frameable production memorabilia
Guest passes to select dance and musical rehearsals

About Les Fêtes de Thalie:

Opera Lafayette's fully staged production of Mouret's Les Fêtes de Thalie will be the modern premiere of the work. Les Fêtes de Thalie is an opéra-ballet which broke with serious French operas by putting contemporary characters on stage. Thalia, the muse of comedy, guides the spirit of the work, which looks at love through the eyes of three women -- La Fille (the girl), La Veuve Coquette (the coquettish widow) and La Femme (the wife), along with their companions.

Christophe Rousset will conduct. The young and diverse cast of American singers includes Opera Lafayette Artistic Associate Jonathan Woody, Angel Azzarra, Pascale Beaudin, Jean Bernard Cerin, Ah Young Hong, Patrick Kilbride, Matthew Newlin, Margot Rood and John Taylor Ward. Korneel Bernolet, harpsichordist and founder of Apotheosis Orchestra, will edit Opera Lafayette’s modern edition of Les Fêtes de Thalie and play continuo for the production.

About The Joffrey Ballet School:

The mission of the Joffrey Ballet School is to transform passionate dance students into strong, versatile, open-minded professional artists able to work inclusively, collaborate positively and evolve fluidly in a fast-changing diverse society. The Joffrey Ballet School's renowned Trainee program offers a well-rounded pre-professional curriculum consisting of two tracks (Ballet and Jazz & Contemporary Dance) for dancers ages 13 to 25. Depending on the track, genres of study include: classical ballet (technique, pointe, variations, adagio, men’s classes) contemporary ballet (technique, improvisation, partnering), contemporary dance, modern, character, choreography, dance history, music, hip-hop Pilates, street jazz, contact improv and more. Special workshops are taught by guest faculty to augment the curriculum and performance opportunities abound throughout the year. Dance classes come to life with live musical accompaniment including piano, percussion, cello, African drum, and a variety of other instruments depending on the genre taught.

About Opera Lafayette:

A leading interpreter of music from the 17th to the 19th centuries, Opera Lafayette performs little-known operatic gems and creates a legacy of these works through recordings. Incorporating dance, stunning costumes, and intimate staging with rising star singers and musicians playing period instruments, an Opera Lafayette performance transports its audiences to an era when beauty and captivating storytelling were the order of the day. Opera Lafayette gives new life to centuries-old compositions, supported by scholarly research that highlights both the historical context of these works and their relevance to today’s world. Through this unique combination of entertainment and education, audiences discover opera in a whole new light.

To donate via text message, text "OPERABALLET" to 53-555

Joffrey Ballet School & Opera Lafayette Benefit

Help us fund the six-week dance residency of Joffrey Ballet School students and alumni during Opera Lafayette's fully-staged opera-ballet, Les Fêtes de Thalie!