Normally I don’t cover dance. However, I was invited to attend Repertory Dance Theatre’s dress rehearsal Tuesday for Land, the company’s final production for the season. The four short works that make up the program are visually stunning with superbly crafted choreography. Despite the few technical glitches and the tweaking that is always inevitable at a rehearsal, I was mesmerized by the virtuosity of the dancers and the inventiveness of the choreography.

The opening piece, Desert Sea, with choreography by Molissa Fenley and music by Lou Harrison, is a veritable symphony of angularity, symmetry and precision. The music and dancing become one in evoking visions of vivid imagery.

The next work, Erosion, choreographed by Zvi Gotheiner to original music by Scott Killian, is a fabulous partner piece to Desert Sea. It draws its inspiration from the American Southwest. It’s a picturesque piece, almost ritualistic in its depiction of the passage of time as represented by the natural forces of erosion. The music is percussive, yet also quite lyrical at times. The dancing is fluid and there is an element of sensuality in the dancers’ movements.

Offering a stark contrast to the preceding two works is Ze-eva Cohen’s Rainwood, set to a score consisting of animal and bird sounds associated with a rainforest. The dancers move in vibrant patterns and through their gestures become one with the sounds.

Rounding out the program is Shapiro & Smith’s Turf, a clever piece with a score by Killian about ownership that at times turns from playful to serious. However, the playfulness of the opening section becomes a unifying motif throughout the piece, and the work never strays far from the whimsical and humorous.

Land is an absolutely entertaining showcase for RDT’s remarkable dancers. I highly recommend it.

• PERFORMANCE DETAILS
• What: Repertory Dance Theatre, Land
• Venue: Jeanné Wagner Theatre, Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center
• Time and Date: 7:30 p.m. April 10-12
• Tickets: $30 general, $15 seniors and students ($5 higher if purchased on day of performance)
• Phone: 801-355-2787 or 888-451-2787
• Web: www.arttix.org

Women figure prominently in Ballet West’s new production of Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring. The story revolves around virgin sacrifices, to be sure, but off the stage there is also a strong female presence, from the guest conductor (Tara Simoncic, making a return appearance) to sections of the orchestra.

From left: Lisa Verzella, Sara Marchetti and Seretta Hart

For the first time in Utah Chamber Orchestra history, the trumpet section will consist entirely of women, said principal trumpet Lisa Verzella. “This is pretty unique,” she told Reichel Recommends. “Among professional orchestras, only the St. Louis Symphony has two women trumpet players.”

Besides Verzella, the Utah Chamber Orchestra’s trumpet section includes Sara Marchetti and Bob Brown. But because of a family matter, Brown was unavailable to play for this production. He will be replaced by Seretta Hart. “She’s our first sub,” Verzella said.

Even though the score is quite demanding, Verzella is excited about playing it. “This will be the first time ‘The Rite of Spring’ has been done by Ballet West since 1998.”

Verzella is also looking forward to having Simoncic on the podium again. “She’s fantastic,” she said, adding that she’s happy to have Hart join her and Marchetti. “This is a great group.”

The Rite of Spring will be danced to Nicolo Fonte’s choreography. Also on the program is Forgotten Land, choreographed to Benjamin Britten’s Sinfonia da Requiem and George Balanchine’s Divertimento No. 15.

• PERFORMANCE DETAILS
• What: Ballet West
• Venue: Capitol Theatre
• Time and Date: April 11-12, 16-19, 7:30 p.m., also 2 p.m. on April 19
• Tickets: $24-$74
• Phone: 801-355-2787 or 888-451-2787
• Web: www.arttix.org