Benjamin Millepied News

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Gustav Dudamel, played magnificently July 16, 2019 as they first featured award-winning Pablo Ferrandez in Antonin Dvorak's Cello Concerto in B minor, Opus 104 in a most passionate and stirring performance. The piece was written by Dvorak about his sister-in-law, who never acknowledged her affection for him, giving this piece an extraordinary range of emotions that Ferrandez fervently played, seeming to feel every note and every nuance with his body and his soul. He is an extraordinary musician, and fully captivated the audience; so much so there were numerous encores of appreciation. It was a moving, heart-felt performance, and I would go anywhere to hear and watch him play again, play anything, as this performance was exalting. Part two of the evening was a reprise, or rather reworking of the performance L. A. Dance Project originally performed at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, which I reviewed, in 2018. (https://www.broadwayworld.com/los-angeles/article/BWW-Review-ROMEO-JULIET-at-Walt-Disney-Concert-Hall-20181106)

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association has announced the four conductors who will participate in the 2019/20 Dudamel Fellowship Program: Hilo Carriel, Marta Gardolinska, Enluis Montes Olivar, and Anna Rakitina. Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel, together with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, created the Dudamel Fellowship Program in 2009 to provide a unique opportunity for promising young conductors from around the world to develop their craft and enrich their musical experience through personal mentorship and participation in the LA Phil's orchestral, learning, and community programs.

The Los Angeles Philharmonic and L.A. Dance Project will present Benjamin Millepied's original choreography at the Hollywood Bowl on Tuesday, July 16, 2019. They will perform selections from Sergei Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel, in an experimental production that seamlessly fuses stage and screen, centering audiences within the intimate encounters of the tragic love story. Onstage dance, pre-recorded film, and a live video feed from the Bowl's offstage spaces will be arranged into one dynamic, unstable performance, bringing the star-crossed lovers to life today. A choreography for both bodies and camera, Millepied's Romeo and Juliet will use the entire theater to echo the turmoil of devotion and heartbreak in this classic tale. The evening will be a sensory celebration of love immortal.

On September 26, 2019 New York City Ballet will present its annual Fall Fashion Gala, celebrating choreography and costume design with two world premiere works showcasing some of today's most exciting artists from the worlds of dance and fashion.

According to Variety, IN THE HEIGHTS film star Melissa Barrera has been announced to star in the new reimagined musical film CARMEN. She will star in the title role, opposite Jamie Dornan.  Sony Pictures Classics has acquired the film debut of Benjamin Millepied. The film will be produced by Dimitri Rassam, with Nilo Cruz finalizing the script. CARMEN will start shooting this October. Musical contributions will be brought to the table by Nicholas Britell and Julieta Venegas. 

Now celebrating the 24th anniversary in Houston and the 27th season since its inception in Brussels, Belgium, Dance Salad Festival promises another gathering of world-class performers. Famous in their own countries, classical and contemporary dancers share the Dance Salad Festival stage to form a mix of movement and compelling choreography.

Artistic Director Helgi Tomasson and San Francisco Ballet today announced programming for the 2020 Repertory Season. Building on a heritage of commissioning groundbreaking dance from today's top choreographers, uncovering new choreographic talent, staging modern classics, and preserving the works that make up the canon of classic ballet, the 2020 Season places SF Ballet at the forefront of innovation and preeminence. Highlights include two new SF Ballet commissions by Cathy Marston and Trey McIntyre, and a co-commission with American Ballet Theatre of a work by Alexei Ratmansky; as well as works by George Balanchine, David Dawson, Harald Lander, Edwaard Liang, Benjamin Millepied, Mark Morris, Liam Scarlett, Helgi Tomasson, and Stanton Welch. The Season's three story ballets include Balanchine's A Midsummer Night's Dream, Wheeldon's Cinderella, and Tomasson's Romeo & Juliet.

In the grand finale of the 2018-19 Masterworks season, CSO Music Director Rossen Milanov conducts the Columbus Symphony in Mahler's most popular and life-affirming symphony that reveals a world of beauty, love, and divine exuberance. Violinist Leila Josefowicz also returns to perform one of her signature works, Ades' Violin Concerto 'Concentric Paths.'

New York City Ballet will open its 2019-20 Season at Lincoln Center on Tuesday, September 17 with George Balanchine's full-length Jewels. The season will continue with 21 weeks of performances, through Sunday, May 31, and will feature 54 ballets and choreography by 12 different choreographers.

American Ballet Theatre Studio Company will appear at The Joyce Theater in New York City for three performances, Wednesday, April 24 at 7:30 PM, Thursday, April 25 and Saturday, April 27 at 8:00 PM.

Dusan Tynek Dance Theatre will present the World Premiere of choreographer Dusan Tynek's Le Jardin Qui Rit (The Laughing Garden) at Baruch Performing Arts Center (BPAC), 25th Street between 3rd & Lexington Avenues, New York, NY 10010 for three performances only, Thursday, March 7 - Today, March 9 at 7:30pm.

CSO Music Director Rossen Milanov conducts the Columbus Symphony in The Trumpet Shall Sound, a performance of three iconic 20th century works that combine originality of musical language, intricate textures, and sonic beauty. Two rising stars, pianist Dominic Cheli and trumpeter George Goad, are showcased in Shostakovich's mercurial concerto for piano, trumpet, and string orchestra. The full program includes Jan ek's Sinfonietta, Shostakovich's Piano Concerto No. 1, and Stravinsky's The Fairy's Kiss: Divertimento.

Dusan Tynek Dance Theatre will present the World Premiere of choreographer Dusan Tynek's Le Jardin Qui Rit (The Laughing Garden) at Baruch Performing Arts Center (BPAC), 25th Street between 3rd & Lexington Avenues, New York, NY 10010 for three performances only, Today, March 7 - Saturday, March 9 at 7:30pm.

CSO Music Director Rossen Milanov leads the Columbus Symphony, Columbus Symphony Chorus, and four brilliant guest vocalists in a haunting and enigmatic performance of Mozart's last and unfinished masterpiece. This emotional journey is preceded by a clever piece by composer Mason Bates that combines technology and live sound to depict an orchestra of historic instruments.

Dances Patrelle is pleased to announce its spring 2019 season, including the world premiereof Francis Patrelle's The American Dream: It's Only Business, at New York Live Arts, 219 W 19th Street, NYC 10011. Performances are Friday, April 12 at 7pm, Saturday, April 13 at 2pm and 7pm, and Sunday, April 14 at 12pm. Tickets are $50, with student and senior discounts available, and are currently available at https:newyorklivearts.orgeventdances-patrelle.

Dances Patrelle is pleased to announce its spring 2019 season, including the world premiereof Francis Patrelle's The American Dream: It's Only Business, at New York Live Arts, 219 W 19th Street, NYC 10011. Performances are Friday, April 12 at 7pm, Saturday, April 13 at 2pm and 7pm, and Sunday, April 14 at 12pm. Tickets are $50, with student and senior discounts available, and are currently available at https://newyorklivearts.org/event/dances-patrelle/. 

Dusan Tynek Dance Theatre will present the World Premiere of choreographer Dusan Tynek's Le Jardin Qui Rit (The Laughing Garden) at Baruch Performing Arts Center (BPAC), 25th Street between 3rd & Lexington Avenues, New York, NY 10010 for three performances only, Thursday, March 7 - Saturday, March 9 at 7:30pm.

Explore the past, present, and future of lighting for ballet with visual artist and Boston Ballet lighting director Brandon Stirling Baker. A frequent collaborator with choreographer Justin Peck and a diverse group of artists including Anthony Roth Costanzo, Benjamin Millepied, Sufjan Stevens, Jamar Roberts, Michelle Dorrance, Emery LeCrone, and Shepard Fairey, Baker will present the world premiere developed through the Center for Ballet and the Arts at New York University. Inspired by the close relationship between choreography and lighting design, this program featured new choreography by Jamar Roberts performed by Patricia Delgado, Sarah Daley, and Taylor Stanley.

CSO Music Director Rossen Milanov will lead the Columbus Symphony in an exploration of Norse legend and mythology in the Nordic Myths Festival. The program begins with the Prelude and Liebestod from Tristan and Isolde, Wagner's passionate opera inspired by Celtic myths, followed by Grieg's Piano Concerto, featuring guest pianist Alessio Bax, that immortalizes the beauty of the Nordic landscape. The concert concludes with Sibelius' Lemminkainen Suite, wherein Finnish myths from The Kalevala come to life accompanied by original video art by Jason Gay.

The Los Angeles Philharmonic announces its 98th summer season at the Hollywood Bowl. The Hollywood Bowl summer season features world-class artists ranging from classical and pops to jazz, rock, and world music including the world premiere of two new LA Phil-commissioned works plus a fully-staged Broadway musical.