Santa Barbara Choral Society joined State Street Ballet in a World Premiere ballet-choral production of this beloved choral classic as nearly 200 dancers, singers and musicians took the stage at the newly renovated Granada Theatre, May 31 and June 1, 2008. Conductor: JoAnne Wasserman; Choreographer: William Soleau; Ballet Masters: Marina Fliagina, Gary McKenzie; Stage Manager: Melissa Somrack; Costume Design: A. Christina Giannini; Soloists - Lori Stinson (Soprano), Beau Palmer (Tenor), Paul Sahuc (Baritone).

Following is an excerpt from Richard Mineard's review from the Tuesday, June 2 edition of The Santa Barbara News-Press. To see this review in its entirety and other news media reviews see links posted on the SBCS News/Press Release page.

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The performance of German composer Carl Orff's masterpiece "Carmina
Burana" at The Granada with the State Street Ballet and the Santa
Barbara Choral Society, not to mention 50 musicians of the society's
orchestra -- many of whom also play for the symphony
-- was, in a word, magnificent.

Both performances of the show, written in the 1930s and based on a
collection of Medieval poems, ballads and songs discovered in a
monastery in Bavaria in 1803, were sell-outs, meaning 3,000 people were
lucky enough to catch the rare collaboration between two of our tony
town's larger local arts organizations.

With more than 100 singers and 20 dancers, the stage was positively
heaving with activity as JoAnne Wasserman, the music director, ably
conducted the complicated work, while tenor Beau Palmer, baritone Paul
Sahuc and soprano Lora Stinson gave full vent to their vocal abilities.

Choreographer William Soleau, who has created more than 80 ballets
globally and wrote choreography specifically for this performance,
obviously resolved the "few technical issues" he'd talked to me about
before the show. "It's wonderful to have such a collaboration," he
gushed. "This is the 11th time I've worked with the ballet and it has
all come together beautifully. It's a really powerful work!"

Artistic director Rodney Gustafson should be justifiably proud of his
ensemble, and honorable mentions definitely go to Mark Somerfield, the
lighting designer, and Christina Giannini, costume designer. Not to
mention the major sponsors Leslie Ridley-Tree, Leni Fe Bland, Brooks and
Kate Firestone, and Tim Mikel.

"Carmina Burana" was a true tour de force of music and dance which will
live on in our memories for a long, long time to come. Bravo!