Boston Ballet to Perform at Lincoln Center's David H. Koch Theater, 6/25-29

Boston Ballet Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen today announced the programming for the Company's first-ever tour to New York's Lincoln Center, June 25-29, 2014. This tour will mark the final performances of the Company's 50th season, which launched at London's Coliseum Theatre in July, 2013. Nominated by The Critics' Circle National Dance Awards for "Outstanding Company", Boston Ballet is internationally recognized for a commitment to classical, neo-classical and contemporary choreography. The Company consists of 56 dancers representing a total of 19 nationalities and will present six dynamic performances accompanied by the Boston Ballet Orchestra. Boston Ballet's programs showcase a century of ground-breaking choreography and the impressive range of this world-class institution as well as two New York premieres - Alexander Ekman's Cacti and a new work by José Martinez. Tickets go on sale January 31, 2014 at tickets.davidhkochtheater.com or by calling 212.496.0600.

"This tour will be the grand finale to our 50th season," said Nissinen. "Many of the pieces we're presenting are new to the United States, some of which have not been performed outside of Boston. I'm thrilled we're able to present today's Boston Ballet to New York City."

Program 1 (William Forsythe's The Second Detail, José Martinez's New Work, and Alexander Ekman's Cacti), will be presented on Wednesday, June 25 at 7:30 PM, Thursday, June 26 at 7:30 PM and Sunday, June 29 at 1:00 PM. Program 1 features the work of three choreographers that are redefining the art of contemporary dance. A powerful display of athleticism and spunk, William Forsythe's The Second Detail has become one of Boston Ballet's signature works. Critics have described The Second Detail as "one of [Forsythe's] most vintage, pleasurable dissections of ballet grammar." No stranger to rethinking classicism, former Étoile of Paris Opera Ballet, José Martinez presents a new work that will premiere with Boston Ballet in February 2014 at the Boston Opera House. The program will close with Alexander Ekman's Cacti, an invigorating ballet that uses unique objects, sounds, and movements to challenge common perceptions of contemporary dance. The piece was nominated for "Best New Modern Choreography" by the UK Dance Critics Foundation.

Program 2 (Vaslav Nijinsky's Afternoon of a Faun, George Balanchine's Symphony in Three Movements, Jorma Elo's Plan to B and Ji?í Kylián's Bella Figura), will be presented Friday, June 27 at 8:00 PM, Saturday, June 28 at 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Program 2 consists of four extraordinary works that have affected audiences on an international scale, spanning from neo-classical to cutting-edge contemporary. Vaslav Nijinsky's Afternoon of a Faun was considered the first modern ballet when it premiered in 1912 as part of The Ballet Russes. Though originally met with controversy for its erotic undertones, today it is famed as one of the world's most innovative works. George Balanchine's renowned Symphony in Three Movements is a neo-classical masterpiece. In addition to Balanchine's inestimable influence on the growth of the art form and the creation of professional ballet companies in America, he was instrumental in the founding of Boston Ballet. Balanchine became Artistic Advisor to the Company in 1963, gifting more than 17 ballets as a gesture of support. Boston Ballet will also perform Jorma Elo's invigorating Plan to B, a dynamic and signature work by the current Resident Choreographer that received enthusiastic praise from London audiences and critics alike in 2013. Ji?í Kylián's Bella Figura will complete the program, a Boston Ballet trademark since the company first presented it to North America in 2011. In 2013, The Guardian wrote, "It's the journey these dancers take through Kylián's choreography that supplies the drama behind the beautiful image." An emotional masterpiece, audiences have called Bella Figura a beautiful and artistic experience that leaves a lasting impression.

To post a comment, you must register and login.