Pennsylvania Ballet Kicks Off New Season with New Works, New Artistic Director Tonight

Philadelphia, PA (August 31, 2015)- Pennsylvania Ballet and Artistic Director Angel Corella are proud to present a classic masterpiece with George Balanchine's Concerto Barocco, as well as two exhilarating and edgy works; Wayne McGregor's Chroma, and Christopher Wheeldon's DGV: Danse à Grande Vitesse to kick-off the 2015-2016 Season, this weekend, October 22-25 at The Academy of Music.

"I'm excited to put my creative vision into action in Philadelphia," said Artistic Director Angel Corella. "Our first program of the Season allows our Company to share two edgy and modern pieces that portray an energy that will excite all ages, while also honoring the Balanchine tradition with Concerto Barocco."

The program opens with Chroma, a modern yet balletic masterpiece originally premiered by The Royal Ballet in London in 2006, features unusually articulated body movements and playful partnering. Created by groundbreaking choreographer Wayne McGregor, the movement choreographer for the film Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the piece contains breathtaking, high-energy choreography. The music is untraditional for a ballet as it is set to Joby Talbot's arrangements and interpretations of music by alternative rock duo, The White Stripes.

"This piece has a wow factor that takes audiences' breath away," said Antoine Vereecken, Rehearsal Director for Wayne McGregor. "It's great to work with Angel Corella and Pennsylvania Ballet dancers, who are already working on mentally and physically pushing themselves out of their comfort zones. This aligns with what Mr. McGregor has done with the challenging choreography in Chroma."

George Balanchine's Concerto Barocco is a true Balanchine classic, Pennsylvania Ballet premiered this piece during its inaugural season in 1963. Set to Johann Sebastian Bach's Concerto in D minor for Two Violins, the ballet features 11 dancers in costumes inspired by ballet practice clothes. The melody and syncopation in Bach's score is mirrored in the dancers' precise movements and creates a sensory feast in this neo-classical ballet.

Christopher Wheeldon's DGV: Danse à Grande Vitesse combines literal allusions to travel, with molded steel sets by Jean-Marc Puissant, with Wheeldon's signature contemporary ballet style. The score for the ballet is arrangements by Michael Nyman, whose music was originally commissioned by the Festival de Lille in France to celebrate the inauguration of the TGV high-speed train line in 1993. Wheeldon was inspired by Nyman's music and told The Royal Ballet (where he is a resident choreographer), "I wanted to capture that feeling you get when you are traveling - of being suspended in time and space." His choreography includes sharp, defined steps offset with smooth movement that emphasizes the commonality of the feeling of traveling on a train.

The performances at The Academy of Music run:

- Thursday, October 22 at 7:30pm

- Friday, October 23 at 7:30pm

- Saturday, October 24 at 2:00pm

- Saturday, October 24 at 8:00pm

- Sunday, October 25 at 2:00pm

Tickets are available online at paballet.org or by phone at 215.893.1999, and in person at the Kimmel Center Box Office.

Conversations with Pennsylvania Ballet

Please join Conversations with Pennsylvania Ballet, a free informal discussion, where a Pennsylvania Ballet dancer will talk about their experience preparing for the Season opening performance. This free event will be held on Monday, October 19th at 6:30pm at the Philadelphia City Institute Free Library (1905 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA).

Preludes

Ignite your passion for dance with Preludes- Pennsylvania Ballet's pre-show discussions. Held in the theater prior to most performances, Preludes feature an ever-changing roster of company members, artistic and administrative staff, and visiting artists discussing Pennsylvania Ballet's performances, taking questions, and offering unmatched behind-the-scenes insights . Preludes begin one hour prior to show time and are free and open to all patrons holding a ticket for the performance that follows. Preludes are a great way to meet other ballet fans, enhance your knowledge of the art form, and get to know the artists behind Pennsylvania Ballet's beautiful and thrilling performances.

Please note: Preludes are free and open to all ticket holders for the day listed on the ticket.

About Pennsylvania Ballet

Founded in 1963 by Balanchine student and protégée Barbara Weisberger, Pennsylvania Ballet is one of the nation's leading ballet companies. Headquartered in Philadelphia, the Company's annual local season features six programs of classic favorites and new works, including the Philadelphia holiday tradition, George Balanchine's The Nutcracker™. For more information, visit paballet.org, call 215.551.7000 or connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to go behind the scenes at any time.