Michael was honored to have the opportunity to work behind the scenes of the Atlanta Ballet during famed director Bobby Barnett's last year and Robert McFall's first year as Directors of the company. Barnett's last year was also Maniya Barredo's last year as Prima Ballerina for the Atlanta Ballet. We noted that Bobby Barnett turned 100 this year!
Michael spent days during each performance run with unparalleled access backstage, on stage, and in the seats capturing unscripted moments as well as known and yet to be known faces. From critiques by the directors to the beauty of the final performance as seen from the seats, Michael was there capturing thousands of frames. These images were captured on black and white film and hand processed by Michael in his darkroom. During the run of Carmina Burana, Michael was asked to exhibit some of his prints from the time he had spent with the ballet. After weeks in the darkroom hand-printing 16"x20" silver gelatin prints, he created a series of 27 images, all hand signed as artists proofs. As these are the only exhibition images he printed in the darkroom, they are literally one of a kind.
The full set of 27 images, plus one with minor damage and a smaller print of Maniya Barredo is $23,000.
Click an image to see larger.
Giselle - Bobby and Maniya
Maniya Barredo
Bobby and Jessica
Bobby Watching
Giselle - Maniya Barredo
Waiting for his cue
Carminia Burana props
Christy shadow dancing
Waiting in the wings
Giselle
Classroom rehearsal
Giselle 2
Christy
Giselle 3
Catnap
Nutcracker - Ballet Mistress
Watching the solo
Orchestra conductor
Snowflake putting on rosin
Pas de deux 1
Pas de deux 2
Pas de deux 3
A strong soloist
Pas de deux 4
Ready for barre work
At the barre
Maniya
Bobby staging with the children
Nutcrcacker - in the wings