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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><b><u>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</u></b> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>Contact: </b>Lindgren Carson<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Phone: 216-320-9000 <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:lindgren@clevelandballet.org">lindgren@clevelandballet.org</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>www.clevelandballet.org <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:18.0pt'>Tenor Mikhail Urusov Joins Cleveland Ballet for Fall Production<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><i><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>A Celebration of Dance and Music</span></i><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> Will Include Live Performances of two Famed Arias: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><i><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Amore Perduto</span></i><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> and <i>Granada</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:120%;text-autospace:none'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:120%;text-autospace:none'><b>CLEVELAND, OH </b>Se<b>ptember 28</b>—As an extension of bringing the musicians out of the pit and onto the stage to both accompany and join the Cleveland Ballet dancers, tenor Mikhail Urusov will perform two famed arias during the October 11 performance. “A Celebration of Dance and Music” looks to showcase how interdependent music and dance truly are. By placing the musicians within the dancers’ area, audiences will witness the fluidity of motion and physical beauty the instrumentalists exude while playing. In addition, dancers will be able to interact with the musicians reinforcing how Cleveland Ballet seeks to re-imagine and redefine Northeast Ohio’s expectations of this centuries old form of dance. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:120%;text-autospace:none'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:120%;text-autospace:none'>Tenor Mikhail Urusov will join Cleveland Ballet for the first time with the premiere of “A Celebration of Dance and Music”. Urusov recently performed with Opera Circle Cleveland during their annual Opera in the Italian Garden performance. During Cleveland Ballet’s premiere production, Urusov will sing two arias, Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni’s “Amore Perduto” and Agustin Lara’s “Granada”. The program will include original choreography by Ramón Thielen set to music chosen in collaboration with Cleveland Orchestra violinist Alexandra Preucil. “It is such a pleasure to join Cleveland Ballet,” offers Urusov, “I saw them at Opera in the Italian Garden. The dance helped elevate the arias so much. I am excited to share the stage with them in October.” <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:120%;text-autospace:none'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:120%;text-autospace:none'>Along with Usurov eight additional musicians and Preucil will accompany the resident company onstage as they dance and celebrate the best of Cleveland’s music and dance community. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:120%;text-autospace:none'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> “I cannot adequately express how excited we are to have Mikhail join us for A Celebration of Dance and Music,” says Gladisa Guadalupe, Artistic Director. “His voice is so beautiful and his interpretations of both arias, Amore Perduto and Granada, help our dancers float effortlessly across the stage.” <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:120%;text-autospace:none'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>To purchase tickets ($25-$99) and<a name="_GoBack"></a> learn more about how to support Cleveland Ballet or enter into an educational partnership, please visit clevelandballet.org. For VIP packages or group ticket discounts visit playhousesquare.org or call: <span style='color:black;mso-fareast-language:JA'>216-640-8603</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black;mso-fareast-language:JA'>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:4.0pt;line-height:120%;text-autospace:none'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:120%;color:black'>ABOUT CLEVELAND BALLET<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:4.0pt;line-height:120%;text-autospace:none'><span style='color:black'>In 2014 a group of dedicated volunteers and artists reconnected to build on the artistic legacy of the Cleveland San Jose Ballet and form Cleveland Ballet. Under the artistic leadership and vision of Gladisa Guadalupe, Cleveland has the opportunity to welcome a professional and resident dance company back to the stage. Cleveland Ballet marked its return to the Cleveland arts scene with the artistically and financially successful October 2015 production, <i>Past. Present. Future</i>, a production that featured traditional and innovative ballet performed in collaboration with Neos Dance Theatre of Mansfield, Ohio. The collaboration addresses an important Cleveland Ballet tenant, to create artistic partnerships with the area’s leading cultural organizations. This debut production was presented to a nearly sold-out audience and exemplified Cleveland Ballet’s collaborative spirit, and the community support demonstrates that a passion for professional ballet exists in Cleveland. The world premiere production of <i>Coppélia, </i>choreographed by the acclaimed artist Ramón Oller, concluded the inaugural season. Cleveland Ballet has simultaneously established a number of exciting education and outreach programs such as our collaboration with Warrensville Heights and Maple Heights School Districts and The Cleveland Orchestra’s Family Concert series. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>What:</b> Tenor Mikhail Usurov Joins Cleveland Ballet<i><o:p></o:p></i></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>Who:</b> Cleveland Ballet<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>Location:</b> Ohio Theatre at Playhouse Square<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>Admission:</b> $25-$99<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>For Tickets: <span class=phone-tickets>216-241-6000 </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>For Group Sales: <span style='color:black;mso-fareast-language:JA'>216-640-8603</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>For more information on Cleveland Ballet, visit clevelandballet.org, or call 216-320-9000 <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Stay connected on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ClevelandBallet">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/BalletCleveland">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/clevelandballetcompany/">Instagram</a>.<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>