BWW Interviews: Jeffrey Eckstein Discusses Conducting Ballet Austin's GISELLE

This Mother's Day weekend, Ballet Austin will present Giselle, the classic and beloved ballet of love, heartbreak and madness. Giselle is among ballet's great classics, with a lead role so challenging it has been known to make and break careers. Théophile Gautier-the influential French poet, author, critic and champion of the Romantic ballet-conceived Giselle in honor of ballerina Carlotta Grisi. With love, betrayal, heartbreak and forgiveness, Giselle brings a romantic close to the season.

Giselle features choreography by Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot, Music by Adolphe Adam. The score will be performed live by the Austin Symphony Orchestra.

BroadwayWorld had a chance to discuss the ballet with Maestro Jeffrey Eckstein who will be conducting the Austin Symphony Orchestra.

Maestro Jeffrey Eckstein has been a Guest Conductor with the Austin Symphony since 2003, conducting their production of The Nutcracker with Ballet Austin each year. He has been praised as the orchestra's favourite among guest conductors. He has also been guest conductor with Miami Lyric Opera since 2008, most recently conducting productions of Carmen, Madama Butterfly, L'Amico Fritz, Cavalleria Rusticana, and Suor Angelica.

Here's what Maestro Eckstein had to say about his career and the upcoming production of Giselle.

BWW: To become a conductor, I'm sure you must have an intense love of music. Is there a particular moment that sparked your passion for music or the arts?

JE: I've always had a passion for music, ever since I was 2 years old. My mother tells me that I ran downstairs after she was done teaching one of her piano lessons and said, "Me next!" From there I was always involved in music at a young age, playing piano at school assemblies from the age of 6 or so. My love for music grew through school and college as I received both a Bachelors' in Business and one in Music while starting to pursue conducting. When I learned to connect my emotional side with my conducting is when I really saw the potential, combining my love of music with the ability to inspire people, both those I was working with as well as those in the audience. There's no greater satisfaction for me than inspiring an orchestra to present a beautiful piece of music with the most amazing artistry possible, and knowing that they as well as the audience have been deeply touched by the experience.

BWW: Of the classical composers, are there any that stand out as your favorites?

JE: Certainly the Romantic composers are my favorite as I find such utter passion in that music which speaks to my soul. As far as specific composers, I'd say Puccini and Debussy are among my favorites.

BWW: Are there any writers or musicians outside of the classical realm that rank among your favorites?

JE: Absolutely...I enjoy so many other kinds of music, especially musicians who you can just feel their passion and inspiration through their craft. Among my favorites are Vicente Amigo, a Spanish flamenco guitarist, and Maria Bethania, a Brazilian singer whose voice seems to transcend anything on this earth.

BWW: Your work with the Austin Symphony, Miami Lyric Opera, and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, among others, creates quite an impressive resume. Is there a particular project or event that you're most proud of?

JE: I've been very lucky to work with amazing groups over the years, and met so many incredible people whose journey I'm grateful to be part of and who've inspired me, and each of those experiences makes up a piece of who I am today.

BWW: Let's talk about Giselle, which you'll be conducting in Austin from May 10th - 12th. Why do you think Giselle's remained one of the most popular ballets for over 150 years?

JE: I think partly because it was a unique creation of four of the leading artists of the time...Gautier, Saint-Georges, Jules Perrot, and Adolphe Adam. When you put those four together, it seems like the only result can be an amazing work!

BWW: While the ballet may be well known, its composer, Adolphe Adam, isn't quite as well known to the public. Why is that?

JE: It's funny, I didn't even know that he composed the Christmas Carol "O Holy Night" until I had to order the music for a concert I did in Guatemala last year. I think people can be very fickle about who they remember and who they don't. Same thing in pop music. Some bands have a "one hit wonder" and many people don't even remember the band, just the song name, and there can be a million different theories on why that is, but who is to say what the true reason is.

BWW: Aside from the obvious, are there any differences between conducting a ballet versus conducting a symphony or an opera?

JE: They really all have the same similar aspect...the work is a collaboration, not necessarily one person's ideas about how it should be. Whether it's dancers, singers, and/or the orchestra members, a conductor has to be open to different interpretations or methods of interpretation based on the needs and creative input of everyone involved.

BWW: It seems that what you do with the orchestra must have an impact on the choreographer and vice versa. Do you have to and the choreographer consult with each other about variables, such as tempo or volume, during the rehearsal and production process?

JE: Absolutely. I consult with him beforehand and discuss all of those variables, as well as make adjustments during the final dress rehearsal and performances.

BWW: Is there anything else you'd like to share with BroadwayWorld readers about the upcoming production of Giselle?

JE: I think it is an absolute must see. Ballet Austin is an amazing company, with amazing people, both the staff as well as the dancers, and to be witness to one of their performances is true magic, as well as to listen to the incredible Austin Symphony.

GISELLE, produced by Ballet Austin, plays The Long Center for the Performing Arts at 701 W Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78704 May 10th - May 12th. Performances are at 8pm on Friday, May 10th and Saturday, May 11th with a 3pm performance on Sunday, May 12th. Tickets are $12-$75. For tickets and information, please visit www.balletaustin.org