The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-11-16

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 The company is unusual in that it is sponsored by the Ballet Insti- tute, non-prof1t foundation whose purpose is educational and designed to promote in every way the ballet and it's allied arts. The president of the foundation and artistic director of Ballet Interna- tional is George de Cuevas, whose wife is the granddaughter of the late John D. Rockefeller, ST.
 Approximately $250,000 is re- ported to have been spent on the new company before its opening night curtain rose. It has roster of 54 dancers, who spent five months in rehearsal; an excellent orchestra under Alexander Smallens; a dis tinguished staff of choreographerS and scenic designers; new and bril- liant costumes and settings, and an initial repertoire of l6 pallets, of which nine were created for and by the company and are being given their world premieres.
 Ballet International frankly does not expect to make money, and its first performances left no doubt of its artistic integrity. The crowded and distinguished opening night audience expressed unbounded en- thusiasm and the dancers were al- most buried under flowers when it came time for their bows.
 The program opened with a fresh and spirited performance of the familiar Les Sylphides," fol- lowed by Brahms Variations and Sentimental Colloquy." both world premieres, and Ravel's "Bolero" in the Paris version of Bronislava Nijinska, who is with the company.
 Brahms Variations" also chore- ographed by Mime. Nijinska, proved notable tchiefly for it's elaborate setting and costuming, but was con- Sidered by the critics to be too long and diffuse Sentimental Colloquy" had first-rate music by Paul BowleS, contemporary composer, and most bizarre setting by Salvador Dall, which unfortunately distracted at tention from both the music and dancing. Its background was a host of ghostly people on bicycles and a huge grand piano into which tor rent of water gushed. A gigantic ambulating turtle crossed the stage at one point for reasons hard to fathom.
 The principal dancers in the new company are Marie-Jeanne. Viola Essen, Andre Eglevsky and William Dollar, all of whom perform with distinction, but who appear likely to be overworked unless other per- manent or guest stars are added to the roster.
 THE NEW YORK City Center Opera Company opened its fall season this week for series of 2l performances to last through Nov. 26. Seven operas are being given Puccini's "Manon Lescaut" and Johann Strauss 'The Gypsy Baron,' both added to the reper- toire this season; "Tosca." La Bo- heme," "Traviata," "Cavalleria Rus ticana" and "Pagliacci."
 Laslo Halasz, artistic and musi- cal director, has been joined by Jean Morel, French conductor, who flew from Uruguay at the invita- tion of Mayor F. H. LaGuardia to conduct several of the operas as guest.
 The company has roster of more than 30 singers, chorus of 50 and corps de ballet.
 
 ADOLF BUSCH and his Chamber Music players will present all six If the Bach Brandenburg Concertl in two concerts at Town Hall in New York on Nov. 24 and Dec. The soloists will be Adolf Busch, violinist; Rudolf Serkin, pianist. and John Wummer, flutist.
 The company, under the name of the Busch Little Symphony, will make its first tour of the country early in the new year. with Eugene Istomin, young American pianist, travelling as soloist. The company has been booked for 54 engage ments. covering 1T states in addition to Canada.
 CAMILLA WILLIAMS, young Negro lyric soprano. will be soloist