Boston Ballet continues the spring season with Pricked, a repertory program consisting of three divergent works, and the introduction of two brilliant choreographers to Boston, May 8-18 at The Boston Opera House. The production features the return of Harald Lander's renowned Études, and the North American premieres of Petr Zuska's passionate D.M.J. 1953-1977, and Alexander Ekman's vibrant Cacti.
"I am thrilled to introduce two groundbreaking choreographers to North America", said Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen. "Petr Zuska's D.M.J. 1953-1977 and Alexander Ekman's Cacti possess layers of depth that promise an evocative experience in the theater. Shown with Harald Lander's crowd pleasing Études, this program truly has something for everyone."
Czech choreographer Petr Zuska is an internationally acclaimed voice in contemporary dance. He recently celebrated his tenth year as Artistic Director of The National Theatre in Prague, and is known for his deeply moving and intense conceptualism paired with keen musicality. Created in 2004, Zuska's breathtaking D.M.J.1953-1977 is an exploration of love, yearning, and loss, titled after the initials of three great Czech composers - Antonín Dvořák, Bohuslav Martinu, and Leos Janácek. The piece features a corps of 12 dancers led by one couple who illustrate the tragically beautiful tale. Boston Ballet is the first North American company to perform this stunning work.
Alexander Ekman's innovative Cacti, the most recent work in the program that will also be making its North American debut. In 2012, it was nominated for "Best New Modern Choreography" by the UK Dance Critics Foundation. Cacti is set to a complex score performed by Boston Ballet Orchestra and an on-stage string quartet lead by contemporary violinists and YouTube sensations, Joshua Knowles and Rhett Price. Boston Ballet dancers will light up the stage in this theatrical and witty performance. Surprising and inventive, audiences will be captivated by this engaging ballet that utilizes rhythm, space, and humor to challenge pre-conceived notions of contemporary dance.
Études is a classical masterpiece set to a series of piano studies by Carl Czerny that illustrates the progression of a ballet class. This celebrated work by Harald Lander remains one the most famous Danish ballets in the international repertoire. Études highlights the full company's strength and aptitude for this progressively challenging choreography.
For more information, visit www.bostonballet.org or call 617-695-6955.
All performances of Pricked will take place at The Boston Opera House:
Thursday, May 8 at 7:30pm
Friday, May 9 at 7:30pm
Saturday, May 10 at 1:00pm & 7:30pm
Sunday, May 11 at 1:00pm
Thursday, May 15 at 7:30pm
Friday, May 16 at 7:30pm
Saturday, May 17 at 7:30pm
Sunday, May 18 at 1:00pm
About Boston Ballet
Boston Ballet's internationally acclaimed performances of classical, neo-classical, and contemporary ballets, combined with a dedication to world class dance education and community outreach programs have made the institution a leader in its field, with a 50-year history of promoting excellence and access to dance. The Company launched its 50th season overseas with six critically acclaimed performances at The London Coliseum. Upon returning to the U.S., Boston Ballet kicked off the season at home with the first-ever Night of Stars on Boston Common - a free performance for the Boston community. The historic evening attracted over 55,000 audience members to the largest stage ever built on Boston Common. The monumental season will conclude with a national tour to Washington D.C.'s Kennedy Center and New York's David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center.
Led by Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen, the Company has grown to become a force in the dance world locally, nationally and internationally. Boston Ballet continues this dynamic momentum into its 50th season while honoring its historic roots, the legacy of founder E. Virginia Williams, artistic advisor George Balanchine, and the leadership of artistic directors VioletteVerdy, Bruce Marks and Anna Marie Holmes.
The programming for Boston Ballet's sensational 2013-2014 season defines the Company's distinctive style and rich diversity, showcasing its artistic and technical range; from traditional classics like Ashton's Cinderella, Clerc's La Bayadére, Lander's Études, to Balanchine's dazzling Jewels and Resident Choreographer Jorma Elo's C. to C. (Close to Chuck). In addition the Company will introduce new voices in dance to the United States, with works by Alexander Ekman (Cacti), Petr Zuska (D.M.J. 1953-1977), and a world premiere by José Martinez.
Boston Ballet School, the official school of Boston Ballet, has a long-standing dedication to excellence and access. The School reaches more than 10,000 students (toddler to adult) each year through Boston Ballet School classes, the Summer Dance Workshop, Pre-professional Summer Dance Program and the Pre-Professional Training held at three studio locations in Boston, Newton, and Marblehead.
Boston Ballet's nationally-acclaimed education programsinclude Citydance, Taking Steps, and Adaptive Dance. The programsare offered in partnership with the Boston Public Schools and incommunities throughout the city and region.
Boston Ballet gratefully acknowledgesthe following institutional partners:
State Street Corporation, 2013 Presenting Sponsor, The Nutcracker, London Tour
Barr Foundation
The Boston Foundation
Massachusetts Cultural Council
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