Ulysses Dove's Red Angels, the Diamond of Legends & Luminaries Premiere

Jessica Ousterhout in the forefront and Christina Ghirardi silhouetted against the Red Angels, originally choreographed for the Diamond Project. Photography courtesy of Nevada Ballet Theatre by Virginia Trudeau.

March 14, 2026 — Notable to mention that Red Angels, choreographed by Ulysses Dove, originally premiered on May 19,1994, at the New York City Ballet as part of the Diamond Project. It has been his brother, Alfred Dove, who has continued his legacy. A reflection of Ulysses Dove, the Red Angels was reborn again during the evening of Legends & Luminaries on the Smith Center stage at the Nevada Ballet Theatre.

"Ulysses makes the audience wait. The curtain goes up. Dark stage. Spotlight. Coming from across the stage you see this figure walk. No sound. He steps and presents himself. Then he walks right through you. Then there's sound. Wake up," said Alfred Dove.

"He puts all of that stuff on top of that technique," he added.

The red unitard defined the body as it did the spirit, and much like the silver line, this diamond red line crossed to bring on stage four dancers ready to leave a lasting impact. If Alfred Dove wanted his brother Ulysses to embody the choreography, it did just that. And how special that, after decades of Uylsses' passing, his own brother continues his legacy so successfully. Much like it was during Company B, Paul Taylor's earlier choreography, there was a piece of Ulysses in each turn.

"Excellent passion exercised. It's a bold fresh statement that is timeless," said Alfred Dove, Répétiteur of Red Angeles at the Nevada Ballet Theatre.

"You want to make sure that the dancers have a conversation with the audience, through the movement. That's why it becomes timeless," he added.

Dancers Lucas Castro, Robert Fulton, Christina Ghiardi, and Jessica Ousterhout glistened like red diamonds in their unitard costumes, also courtesy of the Ballet Met. From the front of the stage, electric violin soloist Mary Rowell, in bold red cowgirl boots fit for Vegas, further empowered the dancers to the music of Richard Einhorn in Maxwell's Demon. In just 14 minutes, this choreography took the audience's breath away and left them in awe. Its human conquest was superb and its beauty even more so.

The Legends & Luminaries is part of a series of three articles. To continue reading the evening coverage of the next ballet, click here: Legends & Luminaries Zigzag.