VOA标准英语2008年-San Francisco Ballet Turns 75

America's oldest professional dance company turns 75 this year. The San Francisco Ballet is marking the milestone¹ by sharing the joy of dance with its community and beyond.
　
San Francisco Ballet Turns Seventy-five

"We start our basic day from 10 o'clock to 6:30 or 7:30 at nighttime," says Anthony Spaulding.He and the other dancers of the San Francisco Ballet (SFB) have been busy over the past year, rehearsing for the New Works Festival, a celebration of the company's big anniversary that will begin touring in September.
　
Helgi says the New Works Festival represents different approaches and styles

"These are all new works being created by someone like Mark Morris, Christopher Weldon, Paul Taylor, names that are very well known, James Kadelka, Valco Paroli," says artistic² director Helgi Tomasson . "I wanted to mix it up and see what all these different approaches will do for a ballet company and it has been wonderful to see the results."
　
McCoy says the U.S. tour in September crowns the celebration

Executive Director Glenn McCoy says the upcoming tour is an approriate way to celebrate 75 years. "As America's oldest professional ballet company, we felt that it was important to take the company out to America," he says.

The tour will take the company to Chicago, New York, Southern California and the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.

Artistic Director Tomasson says the company has many foreign dancers. And that has contributed to its success, turning the San Francisco Ballet, over the past two decades, into a melting pot, just like the United States.
　
The foreign born dancers bring part of their heritage to the ballet

"The tendency for the American dancers was to go to New York to have a career," he explains. "So, it was basically accidental that foreign dancers auditioned³ for me here or sent videotapes. I needed dancers, so I hired them. What they bring is part of their heritage."

Bangkok-born Nutnaree Pipit-Suksun, or Ommi, is one of the company's new soloists⁴. Tomasson says he discovered her dancing in Europe in a school performance. "I thought she had a beautiful quality on stage, beautifully trained."
　
Dancer Omi says every dancer in the ballet has a unique style

As for Ommi, she says the San Francisco Ballet is "amazing and unique." "Everybody has their own style. They offer different things." She says if everybody were the same that would be "boring to watch, I feel."

By signing up dancers from around the world and exploring classic and contemporary works, America's oldest ballet hopes to attract younger audiences. And so far, it is succeeding.

Executive Director Glenn McCoy says the New Works Festival has been a success in its home city.

"We've been very pleased with how it's been received," he says. "It's generated just the kind of debate we looked forward to in terms of presenting new works."

The nationwide tour opens September 16 in Chicago.

1 milestone   

n.里程碑；划时代的事件

参考例句：

• The film proved to be a milestone in the history of cinema.事实证明这部影片是电影史上的一个里程碑。
• I think this is a very important milestone in the relations between our two countries.我认为这是我们两国关系中一个十分重要的里程碑。

2 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。

3 auditioned   

vi.试听（audition的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• None of the actresses we have auditioned is suitable. 我们试听的这些女演员都不合适。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• What is that, from some script you auditioned for in the '40s? 什么玩意儿是你40年代试的那些剧本吗？ 来自电影对白

4 soloists   

n.独唱者，独奏者，单飞者( soloist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The soloists were ably supported by the University Singers. 这些独唱歌手得到了大学歌手的大力支持。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Summer music festivals feature leading orchestras, soloists and opera companies. 在夏季举行的各音乐节，有著名的交响乐团、独唱和独奏者及歌剧团表演。 来自互联网