Boston Ballet opens its celebratory 50th season at The Boston Opera House with Florence Clerc's La Bayadère, October 24-November 3, 2013. Reflecting one of the major milestone achievements in the Company's history, La Bayadère is widely considered among the greatest classical masterpieces ever to be choreographed.
"La Bayadère is a feast for the senses," said Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen. "Complementing the technical qualities of our dancers is an intriguing love story, set in the vibrant and exotic India, and performed to a beautiful score by Ludwig Minkus. It is the quintessential classical ballet."
Clerc's La Bayadère was premiered in 2010, when Boston Ballet gave the world premiere performance of her production to rave reviews. The debut featured fresh adaptations of costumes and sets originally designed by Sergiy Spevyakin, and choreography after Marius Petipa. Prior to becoming an accomplished stager, choreographer and Ballet Master, Clerc enjoyed an exceptional performance career as an Étoile with Paris Opera Ballet. She danced leading roles in all of the Company's major productions, and was a favorite partner of Rudolf Nureyev. Nureyev went on to create roles for Clerc in his ballets, including Don Quixote, Swan Lake, and La Bayadère.
Set against the rich backdrop of ancient India, La Bayadère features lavish costume and set designs evoking the vibrant culture of Eastern Asia. The ballet follows the tragic tale of young temple dancer, Nikiya, and the noble warrior Solor. The star-crossed lovers are torn apart by twists of fate and the uncontrollable vengeance of the High Brahmin, the Rajah and his jealous daughter, Gamzatti. Nikiya and Solor are reunited in a drug-induced dream during the famed third-act, known as The Kingdom of the Shades. Parted in life, they are joined again in death and eternal love.
All performances of La Bayadère will take place at The Boston Opera House:
Thursday, October 24, 2013 at 7:30 PM
Friday, October 25, 2013 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, October 26, 2013 at 1:00 PM
Saturday, October 26, 2013 at 7:30 PM
Sunday, October 27, 2013 at 1:00 PM
Wednesday, October 30, 2013 at 1:00 PM
Wednesday, October 30, 2013 at 7:30 PM
Thursday, October 31, 2013 at 7:30 PM
Friday, November 1, 2013 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, November 2, 2013 at 1:00 PM
Saturday, November 2, 2013 at 7:30 PM
Sunday, November 2, 2013 at 7:30 PM
For more information, please visit http://www.bostonballet.org/la-bayadere.
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. In addition to the brilliant programming for the 2013-2014 season, Boston Ballet will celebrate its 50th anniversary by launching a micro-site featuring 50 years of Boston Ballet in photos. Throughout the duration of the season, a limited edition souvenir program featuring never-before-seen Company photography will be sold. As an exciting new initiative, Boston Ballet will be reaching out to Company dancers of the past 50 years for an alumni weekend celebration March 14-16, 2014.
Boston Ballet maintains a diverse repertoire, ranging from timeless classics such as Marius Petipa's The Sleeping Beauty and Giselle, John Cranko's Romeo and Juliet, and a rich collection of Balanchine choreography to cutting edge contemporary works by Resident Choreographer Jorma Elo and the visionary Jiří Kylián.
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, and the Summer Dance Program held at three studio locations in Boston, Newton, and Marblehead.
Boston Ballet's nationally-acclaimed education programs include Citydance, Taking Steps, and Adaptive Dance. The programs are offered in partnership with the Boston Public Schools and in communities throughout the city and region.
2013-2014 Season Tickets
Single Tickets, Subscriptions, Group Sales tickets, for the 2013-2014 season are on sale now. Individual tickets for season ballets go on sale on Monday August 26. Subscriptions and individual tickets are available for sales online 24 hours a day at www.bostonballet.org, by phone at 617.695.6955, or in person at the box office at 19 Clarendon Street, Boston, Mon-Fri, 9:30am-5pm and on performance days on Sat and Sun, 11am - 4pm. Group Sales tickets for 10 or more people are available by phone at 617.695.6955. Prices for season ballets start at $29. Tickets to The Nutcracker start at $35. Contact the Boston Ballet Box Office at 617.695.6955 or visit www.bostonballet.org for details.
Read more about Boston Ballet's 50th Season by visiting our website, at www.bostonballet.org.
Boston Ballet gratefully acknowledges the 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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