Artistic Director, Daet Rodriguez of The Georgia Ballet announces guest artists, Arionel Vargas, a former Principal dancer at the English National Ballet and international dance film star, and Marize Fumero, international guest dancer and member of the Milwaukee Ballet, to perform the principal roles in the Friday and Saturday night performances of “Coppélia” at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center running October 9th through the 11th. These guest performances by Vargas and Fumero add to the excitement of The Georgia Ballet’s premiere appearance at the Roswell venue.
“We are thrilled that Vargas and Fumero are able to join us for our first production of the 2015/16 Season. Their performances will add to an already exciting and talented cast of dancers. We are also premiering some new and very talented lead dancers from the company to Wow our audiences.” said Rodriguez.
Arionel starred in the motion picture Love Tomorrow, written and directed by Christopher Payne which was nominated at the Raindance Film Festival for Best UK Feature. In Canada, he is noted for his roles in Jiří Kylián’s Symphony in D, John Neumeier’s Nutcracker, Rudi van Dantzig’s Romeo & Juliet and Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty by Galina Yordanova as well as David Nixon’s productions of Beauty & the Beast and Madame Butterfly.
Arionel joined the English National Ballet as a Principal in 2004. The English National Ballet is one of the four major ballet companies in Great Britain and one of the foremost touring companies in Europe. In 2007 he appeared as the Lead Gypsy Boy in Michael Corder’s The Snow Queen and danced both Lescaut and Des Grieux in Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon.
His achievements include winning the gold medal in Brazil’s International Ballet Competition in 1994 and winning gold in the New York International Ballet Competition in 1996. He has appeared in Carlos Acosta and friends in Valencia, and at the London Coliseum. His guest appearances include galas in St Petersburg and Japan. In 2011 Arionel appeared at the Opera House in Georgia in Giselle and Don Quixote and Makarova’s bayadère with Julio Boca Company.
Marize Fumero was born in Matanzas, Cuba and trained at the National Ballet School of Cuba. The Cuban National Ballet School in Havana, with approximately 3,000 students, is the biggest ballet school in the world and the most prestigious ballet school in Cuba. In 2009 she entered Ballet Nacional of Cuba. In 2012 Marize joined the English National Ballet. She most recently danced in Jiří Kylián’s Petite Mort, George Williamson’s Firebird and as one of the three Odalisque’s in Le Corsaire staged by Anna-Marie Holmes.
Miss Fumero joined the Milwaukee Ballet Company in 2014, where she performed many roles including Snow Queen in Nutcracker, Michael Pink’s Giselle, Mortal Form and Michael Pink’s Cinderella. Recently she performed in Don Quixote and Manon pas de deux at the International Gala.
Coppélia is a comic ballet telling the story of an inventor, Dr. Coppélius, who has made a life-size dancing doll in hopes of bringing her to life. Franz, a village boy, believes he has fallen in love with the doll, only to realize his true love is Swanhilde, the baker’s daughter. “Coppélia” is entertaining for audiences of all ages.
“Coppélia”, Oct. 9-11, will also include a school field-trip show on October 9. “The school field-trip shows, accompanied by the STEM-related study guides, are a great way for schools to give students a quality live arts experience, while being able to relate the activity to their studies” said Susan Zealy, Development Director.
The Georgia Ballet Company is poised for an exciting season, looking forward to performances in both the Roswell and Marietta communities. Their annual holiday favorite, “The Nutcracker” will run from Dec. 3-10, in the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre at Cobb Civic Center. “Coppélia” and “The Nutcracker” will include both school field trip series and public shows.
The Georgia Ballet’s professional company seeks to reach audiences of all ages and interests, from the traditional ballet enthusiasts to the younger generations of new-comers seeking quality entertainment opportunities. This production of “Coppélia” promises to offer a delightful experience for everyone.
To purchase tickets and find more information, visit www.georgiaballet.org or call 770-528-0881.
