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Live music is to ballet as Romeo is to Juliet. At least that's what Ballet Pro Musica Festival's general director Henry Holth says.

His ballet company started in 1997 with a new category that partners the classical dance with chamber music in live performances.

Ballet Pro Musica dedicates the first summer festival in America to this style, and now it's Albuquerque's turn to experiment as the permanent home for the organization and festival.

Tonight, the Patrons' Premiere Night patio dinner will precede the opening performance of the festival that started July 31 at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in the South Valley.

The event brings a focus to the visual element of music. "To bring live music back to ballet and to help the audiences see the music," Holth said.

"Music is terribly important for this festival," he said. "We don't go for spectacle. We go for excellence."

The three performances feature principals and soloists from Denver's Colorado Ballet and the Felberg Chamber Virtuosi led by New Mexico Symphony Orchestra associate concertmaster and violinist David Felberg.

The festival includes more than performances. On Aug. 7 and Aug. 9, Ballet Pro Musica's choreographer Peter Anastos, who is the Colorado Ballet's artistic director was to offer master dance classes for advanced and intermediate-level ballet dancers.

In addition to the classes, the festival also offers symposiums on Aug. 4 and Aug. 5 before each day's performance.

Classical composers and dance will be what Anastos will touch on Aug. 4.

"The relationship between ballet and music is very important," he said. "You wouldn't make the same moves for Tchaikovsky that you would make for Sting." Anastos is directing the last choreography of the program called "Yes, Virginia, Another Piano Ballet," accompanied by Frederic Chopin's music.

"It is a very funny ballet," he said. "That's why it will be the finale, because people can't watch anything after watching this (dance)."

Alex Ossadnik has performed with Deutsches National Theater and with Ballet Theatre de Bordeaux in France and has worked with dancers from all across the country.

Locally, he teaches at the University of New Mexico and at the Albuquerque Performing Arts Public Academy. He is the director of one of the three acts of the night.

Choreographer Jessica Lang, who graduated from the Juilliard School, directs another act. She has created choreographies for companies such as the American Ballet Theatre's Studio Company, Dallas Black Dance Theater and Ballet de Monterrey in Mexico.

The music that goes along with the choreographies is, of course, integral to chamber music ballet. Felberg will direct the Felberg Chamber Virtuosi.

Another attribute of the chamber music ballet is that, in contrast to the spectacles of "Swan Lake" and "Sleeping Beauty," these are designed for smaller theaters.

"What we have is something much more personal and intimate," Holth said. "You can relate to the individuals onstage."