When the Performing Arts Association of Linthicum offered the world premiere of a new ballet, Celtic Christmas Suites, it became the first work ever commissioned by the arts association in its 26-year history.
Created by renowned choreographer Dianna Cuatto, artistic director of Ballet Theatre of Maryland, Celtic Christmas Suites also proved to be one of the most popular events ever offered by the arts association. On Saturday, the ballet was one of the most well-attended events at the Chesapeake Arts Center in Brooklyn Park, where an audience filled almost all of the 900 seats.
This ballet might be considered a local triumph since the ballet company, the arts association and the Chesapeake Arts Center are all based in Anne Arundel County.
For the Ballet Theatre of Maryland, the program drew an audience that far surpassed those usually gathered at their venue at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts in Annapolis.
When the Performing Arts Association board set the 2007-2008 season, the intent was to include a new ballet with a Christmas theme that would not be another version of The Nutcracker.
With only this suggestion, choreographer Cuatto created Celtic Christmas Suites. This ballet became a journey through dance from the autumnal equinox to Samhain (the Gaelic celebration of the harvest's end) to the winter solstice.
Joining Cuatto in the project was hammered-dulcimer player Maggie Sansone, who created original music for the ballet, with supplemental music by David Arkenstone. Sansone was joined by Karen Ashbrook on the Irish flute and pennywhistle, Sue Richards on Celtic harp, Andrea Hoag on the fiddle and James Gummer, percussionist.
Contributing to the excellence were costumes designed by Cuatto with Natasha Brown. The multitalented choreographer also served as narrator, introducing the program from the control booth.
"Life moves in spirals of motion from snail shell to sunflower, from the invisible coils of DNA molecules to the boundless whirling galaxies, life unfolds as a spiral," she explained.
The concept might be said to have inspired a dance of life consisting of a feminine circle and the masculine line. Cuatto reminded us that "in Celtic countries, people have danced in spirals since the beginning of time. Their dance reflects their participation in the ebb and flow of the circling year."
