The Hartt School’s production of Petrushka is a collaboration of the dance division and Hartt orchestra performance; it will be composed of 75 musicians and 30 dancers. “It’s prohibitive to do dance performances with live orchestras anymore, it’s financially really tough,” said Stephen Pier, the Director of the Dance Division.

However, the dance division and Hartt orchestra have been wanting to do some type of collaboration for a while. So when Stephen Pier, came up with the idea of Petrushka, Edward Cumming, Director of Orchestral Activities, immediately agreed.

Petrushka was composed by Igor Stravinsky in 1911, who also composed The Firebird in 1910 and The Rite of Spring in 1913, and was performed by the Ballets Russes in Paris. Interestingly enough, a soloist from Hartt danced to The Rite of Spring earlier in 2013, which was also done by Igor Stravinsky.

There’s also performances of 3 other ensembles on the program. There’s a percussion ensemble doing a piece of Stephen Montague, Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 and there’s another piece by Montague called Entrada, which will be an overture to the whole evening.

“This is a once in a lifetime chance to see this work produced live and danced on stage with a full orchestra and the other pieces on the program are beautiful compliments to this evenings work.” Said Stephen Pier.

Petrushka will be in the Lincoln Theater on Friday, November 22, and Saturday, November 23, at 7:30 PM; and Sunday, November 24, at 2:00 PM, in Lincoln Theater. Admission is $20, or $18 for seniors and students, and groups of 10 or more for $15. Call the University of Hartford Box Office or visit www.hartford.edu/hartt for tickets and more information.