Acclaimed as “a jewel among U.S. dance companies,” (Dance/USA), the Richmond Ballet performs Ma Cong’s joyful Thrive and John Butler’s masterwork Carmina Burana. The exquisite evening features the Richmond Symphony & Chorus and the City Choir of Washington, in addition to Wolf Trap Opera artists soprano Esther Tonea, tenor Lunga Eric Hallam, and baritone Daniel Rich. Butler’s powerful, impassioned Carmina Burana uses the full breadth of Carl Orff’s choral score to explore the melding of classical ballet’s structure with the earthiness of contemporary dance.