It’s not only an all-Russian program (beautiful enough as that is) but The Florida Orchestra is teaming up with Bits N’ Pieces Puppet Theatre for a unique presentation of Igor Stravinsky’s ballet Petrushka (1911). The story is about a puppet that comes to life to experience all its joys and terrors, so it should make sense when the ballet is acted out by giant puppets instead of dancers. But it is the remarkable music — a blend of powerful romantic melodies and Stravinsky’s powerful rhythms and dissonance — that is the centerpiece. His music flies, soars, twists, turns in unexpected directions, his tonality fresh and expansive. Russian folk songs lilt along on the wings of solo clarinet and flute only to dissolve into bass violin-plodding dread. For anyone whose only experience with Stravinsky is hearing The Rite of Spring in Disney’s Fantasia, you owe it to yourself to broaden your Russian music knowledge. Stefan Sanderling conducts the program, which opens with a Stravinsky amuse-bouche, Circus Polka, and has Borodin’s Symphony No. 2 as its meaty first course. Jan. 9 and 11, 8 p.m. Fri., Carol Morsani Hall-Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa, and 7:30 p.m. Sun., Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1010 N. McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater, $19-$65, ($10 students), 727-892-3337 or 800-662-7286.
This article appears in Dec 31, 2008 – Jan 6, 2009.
