2006年VOA标准英语-Washington Ballet Kicks Off New Season

By Behnam Nateghi
Washington, DC
21 November 2006
 
watch Washington Ballet 

The Washington Ballet, considered one of the finest ballet companies in the United States, opened its season recently to enthusiastic audiences in the nation's capital. Formed in 1976, the troupe¹ performs throughout the country, as well as internationally, and operates one of the top dance training facilities in the U.S. For producer Behnam Nateghi, VOA's Jim Bertel has more.

 
The Washington Ballet kicked off its new season with an ambitious performance that began with Jerome Robbins' nocturnal romance, "In the Night." The dance features three couples exploring their relationships to the music of Chopin.

The night's program also included the highly energized² dance, "In the Upper Room," set to the music of Philip Glass and staged by world renowned³ choreographer⁴ Twyla Tharp.

 
Septime Webre, Washington Ballet Artistic⁵ Director
Nestled between the two well-known performances was an original work from the Washington Ballet's Artistic Director Septime Webre, called, "oui, non".  He says the goal of the "eclectic" performance is to offer a glimpse into real life. “Well, I think the whole program needs to be a journey for the audience. And we live in a very complex world. I like our repertoire⁶ to reflect the complexity⁷ of the world around us. So, I think the evening is a really nice journey from Chopin and through Philip Glass' contemporary world to this great French Cabaret. It is a bit like life itself, many different experiences, the sum total of which is what we are left with.”

 
Webre's "oui, non' has received mixed reviews, but has won acclaim⁸ from many for his ambitious originality⁹ featuring a live performance from cabaret singing star Karen Akers. "I have been a fan of hers for many, many years, she is a major international figure in the music world. I feel like her interpretations¹⁰ are so emotional, intelligent and intimate. And also the French content is great, I'm half Cuban and half French and I have a lot of roots in France and through my life have spent many, wonderful, wonderful times in France. And so it is music that feels sort of nostalgic to me. And it has been a great experience.

The Washington Ballet performs in the nation's capital at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The troupe's season runs through the end of May.

1 troupe   

n.剧团，戏班；杂技团；马戏团

参考例句：

• The art troupe is always on the move in frontier guards.文工团常年在边防部队流动。
• The troupe produced a new play last night.剧团昨晚上演了一部新剧。

2 energized   

v.给予…精力，能量( energize的过去式和过去分词 )；使通电

参考例句：

• We are energized by love if we put our energy into loving. 如果我们付出能量去表现爱意，爱就会使我们充满活力。 来自辞典例句
• I am completely energized and feeling terrific. 我充满了活力，感觉非常好。 来自辞典例句

3 renowned   

adj.著名的，有名望的，声誉鹊起的

参考例句：

• He is one of the world's renowned writers.他是世界上知名的作家之一。
• She is renowned for her advocacy of human rights.她以提倡人权而闻名。

4 choreographer   

n.编舞者

参考例句：

• She is a leading professional belly dancer, choreographer, and teacher. 她既是杰出的专业肚皮舞演员，也是舞蹈设计者和老师。 来自辞典例句
• It'stands aside, my choreographer of grace, and blesses each finger and toe. 它站在一旁，我优雅的舞蹈指导，并祝福每个指尖与脚尖。 来自互联网

5 artistic   

adj.艺术(家)的，美术(家)的；善于艺术创作的

参考例句：

• The picture on this screen is a good artistic work.这屏风上的画是件很好的艺术品。
• These artistic handicrafts are very popular with foreign friends.外国朋友很喜欢这些美术工艺品。

6 repertoire   

n.(准备好演出的)节目，保留剧目；(计算机的)指令表，指令系统， <美>(某个人的)全部技能；清单，指令表

参考例句：

• There is an extensive repertoire of music written for the flute.有很多供长笛演奏的曲目。
• He has added considerably to his piano repertoire.他的钢琴演奏曲目大大增加了。

7 complexity   

n.复杂(性)，复杂的事物

参考例句：

• Only now did he understand the full complexity of the problem.直到现在他才明白这一问题的全部复杂性。
• The complexity of the road map puzzled me.错综复杂的公路图把我搞糊涂了。

8 acclaim   

v.向…欢呼，公认；n.欢呼，喝彩，称赞

参考例句：

• He was welcomed with great acclaim.他受到十分热烈的欢迎。
• His achievements earned him the acclaim of the scientific community.他的成就赢得了科学界的赞誉。

9 originality   

n.创造力，独创性；新颖

参考例句：

• The name of the game in pop music is originality.流行音乐的本质是独创性。
• He displayed an originality amounting almost to genius.他显示出近乎天才的创造性。

10 interpretations   

n.解释( interpretation的名词复数 )；表演；演绎；理解

参考例句：

• This passage is open to a variety of interpretations. 这篇文章可以有各种不同的解释。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The involved and abstruse passage makes several interpretations possible. 这段艰涩的文字可以作出好几种解释。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》