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THROUGH MAY 25: SPRING EXPERIENCE
Roman Rykine and Rie Ichikawa in Jiří Kylián’s Petite Mort by Gene Schiavone One of Kylián’s most beloved ballets, Petite Mort is a sensuous exploration of what it means to be human. Known for its molded dresses and sword play, it is truly one of the most provocative and beautiful works in ballet today. “…in the moment of pleasure (…) we are reminded of the fact that our lives are of a relatively short duration, and that death is never too far from us… it is always a Mort, which accompanies our lives, sometimes it is Petite, sometimes it is Grand, but it is the most faithful companion we have, from the dawn of our existence till the end.” Boston Ballet brings Spring Experience to the stage of the Citizens Opera House at 539 Washington Street in Boston. This program features three ambitious ballets. Jiří Kylián’s Petite Mort and the Boston Ballet premiere of his 27’52”, plus the return of Mikko Nissinen’s Raymonda. “Spring Experience will offer audiences a transformative experience, showcasing the breadth and beauty of dance today with these contrasting works,” said Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen. “Every dancer wants to perform Jiří Kylián’s works, and these two pieces are Kylián at his finest. I am also thrilled for my reimagined Raymonda to return. The choreography is some of the most challenging in our repertoire, and our talented dancers shine in this classical gem.” The program thus consists of: Raymonda
Haley Schwan and Lasha Khozashvili with Artists of Boston Ballet in Mikko Nissinen’s Raymonda by Rosalie O’Connor Original Choreography and Concept: Marius Petipa
Reimagined by: Mikko Nissinen
Music: Alexander Glazunov
Additional Choreography: Florence Clerc and Mikko Nissinen
Character Dance Associate: Alla Nikitina
Scenic and Costume Design: Robert Perdziola
Assistant Scenic Design: Nicholas Kostner
Lighting Design: Brandon Stirling Baker 27’52”
Choreography: Jiří Kylián
Music: Dirk Haubrich, composition inspired by the original Ur-Version of Gustav Mahler’s Symphony nr. 10 (1910)
Costume Design: Joke Visser
Stage Design: Jiří Kylián
Lighting Design: Kees Tjebbes
Video Registration: Rob de Groot
Staging: Urtzi Aranburu Petite Mort
Choreography: Jiří Kylián
Music: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Piano Concerto in A Major – Adagio, Piano Concerto in C Major – Andante
Set Design: Jiří Kylián
Lighting Design: Joop Caboort
Lighting Adaptation: Joost Biegelaar
Costume Design: Joke Visser
Staging: Shirley Esseboom Tickets for this exciting program may be obtained at www.bostonballet.org
MAY 29 – JUNE 8: ROMEO et JULIIETT
Ji Young Chae and Jeffrey Cirio: Photo by Liza Voll
Boston Ballet’s season concludes with the return of Jean-Christophe Maillot’s popular, premiere ballet to the Citizens Opera House, 539 Washington Street in Boston. The ballet is a beautifully fresh take on the timeless tale by William Shakespeare. Set to the radiant Prokofiev score (Op. 64, 1935–1936)i t is performed to new heights by the Boston Ballet Orchestra. There are many versions of the ballet performed by companies from around the world; the first production was by the Kirov in 1940 (Galina Ulanova & Konstantin Sergeyev). Other versions have been created by Cranko, Lavrovsky, MacMillan, Ek, Nureyev, Ratmansky, and Vinogradov. Boston Ballet most recently performed Cranko’s version in 2018. Maillot’s version features contemporary choreography with elements of cinematography that flows freely to allow the dancers to embody the full emotion of the characters. The movements, even in moments of tragedy, are full of graceful elongation and musicality. The Scenic Design is by Ernest Pignon-Ernest, with Costume Design by Jérôme Kaplan and Lighting Design by Dominique Drillot. Tickets for this memorable performance may be obtained at
www.bostonballet.org