Overall Rating
4.4
By L. Deck
Brilliant!
Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Calgary
The music, dancing and sets were breathtaking! Everything was even better than described—definitely a pleasure for all involved. This was truly a celebration of culture, art and skill.
By heartseeker
Great experience
Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Calgary
This was a terrific way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Parking was attended and handled well— though I didn't find a code in my ticket materials, so it took a bit longer this time and it was unclear if I needed to pay. The performance itself was great. I was unfamiliar with Botero's pieces, but the company did an excellent job visually representing and building on the ideas in the painter's works. As is often the case, conflict in an artist's home country's history is often a motif in their work; this was conveyed in one of the final acts in a way that was immediately recognizable to me, even though I was unfamiliar with the reference going in. I had a seat in the second row and was able to appreciate the costume work. Given Botero's signature characterization of his subjects, I think the costume design was impressive; dancers weren't hindered by the sometimes comically large costume pieces. Great performance, and a good little interaction with the audience to recover when a dancer fumbled a thrown object at one point. Alberta Ballet is making a convincing case for me to make a habit out of attending these performances :)
By JD
Stunning
Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Calgary
Beautiful, captivating, worth every penny and every moment to get there. I came from across the city to watch this magic. I am wholeheartedly committed to seeing more ballet the next season. The way each of the dancers owned their roles made it hard to only focus on one. Honestly wish I could see it again. Wonderful job to the whole crew, thanks for brightening my day.
By Eleanor
Absolutely stunning
Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Calgary
This performance had all and was all. Everything, from the set to the lighting to the costumes to the music to - of course - the choreography and lithe dancers, kept me in rapture for the whole thing. When the final curtain went down I found myself sorely disappointed that I wouldn’t be able to watch more of it. I cannot stress enough how stunning this show was. It was funny, poignant, and simultaneously quietly bewitching and awe-inspiringly grand. The songs were stuck in my head for hours and I am still feeling the golden post-performance glow days later. Thank you to everyone involved.
By This Guy
Not the Best
Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Calgary
While I am always impressed with the shear athleticism of the dancers, and the costumes/props employed, this ballet did NOT do it for me. For me, the music ruined it. A Colombian painter, yet no music to carry that theme. Instead, the music would put you to sleep. Repetitive and forgetable. Sad to say.
By Alana
Simply Amazing
Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Calgary
I was blown away by Botero, what a stunning ballet! So interesting and unique, the music was hauntingly beautiful, and the blend of latin dance and ballet was perfectly done. I also absolutely LOVED the costumes and set design (all the picture frames), truly made the show what it was! I hope Alberta Ballet does more pieces like this in the future, I would see Botero again in a heartbeat.
By Nury
To improve !
Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Calgary
The sound of Botero voice in Spanish for and English speaking audience it wasn’t the best idea. Maybe a picture or video with translation to English will be better. Overall it was a nice Ballet and colourful show.
By zb
Amazing!
Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Calgary
Great choreography, music and stories! A must see!
By Ame
It was beautiful!
Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Calgary
I was expecting a food presentation but honestly this was amazing! The music, Botero’s words in the mix and the ballet! The ballet was impecable, outstanding and simply gorgeous! I hope it’s played again because I told so many people about it…
By Showbuster
Awesome
Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Edmonton
Performance, music and the costume were amazing. Thank you to the entire team =)
Inspired by the life and distinctly recognizable style of painter Fernando Botero, renowned Colombian-Belgian choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa celebrates Botero's work in movement.
Two years after she premiered this one-act work in Colombia, Annabelle will bring her narrative creativity and innovative vision to Alberta Ballet's studios where she will expand the concept into a full-length ballet.
"The juxtaposition of dance and Botero's style is elegant, playful and unexpected. Annabelle and her team created something truly inspired, and it's an honour to support the expansion of BOTERO."
--CHRISTOPHER ANDERSON
This world premiere promises to be whimsical and prodigious, an experience of dance that is as unique as Botero's voluminous subjects.
CHOREOGRAPHER: ANNABELLE LOPEZ OCHOA
MUSIC: JUAN PABLO ACOSTA
SETS & COSTUMES: DIANA ECHANDÍA