Dame Ninette de Valois’ ‘Checkmate’ tells the story of a game of chess, giving human emotion and life to the chess pieces. The audience watches as the Black Queen stalks her victim, the aging Red King, in her quest for power and death. Margaret Barbieri, former Prima Ballerina of The Royal Ballet, has staged this ballet together with world renowned choreologist Grant Coyle. Barbieri’s career was shaped by de Valois, who was the founder of The Royal Ballet and one of the key figures in ballet history, and she has been able to pass on to the dancers her passion and artistry for the ballet and role that became a part of her signature repertoire. “Checkmate is a truly unusual piece,” explains Margaret. “It’s dramatic and harrowing story will captivate audiences, whether they are new to the art form or already ballet fans.” You can see this stunning ballet, accompanied by live music by the Sarasota Orchestra under the baton of American Ballet Theatre Music Director Ormsby Wilkins, performed as a part of The Sarasota Ballet’s April 28 – 30 program of ‘De Valois, Balanchine & Robbins’ at the Sarasota Opera House.

Sarasota Ballet