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| "The Concert" by Jerome Roberts Boston Ballet Boston Opera House Through May 27th Igor Burlak Photograph, Courtesy of Boston Ballet |
Another Opening Night and another success for Boston Ballet. Last evening's audience was wildly enthusiastic about the triple program, including one Boston Ballet Premiere, a World Premiere, and a reprise of a popular program that Boston Ballet first presented in 2015.
The evening began with dancers all in elegant black and white costumes presenting the Boston Ballet Premiere of the "Stravinsky Violin Concerto," choreographed by George Balanchine, with Lighting by John Cuff, Staging by Paul Boos and Colleen Neary. The orchestra was led by Conductor David Briskin, and the violin soloist was Jason Horowitz. My guest, a knowledgeable ballet aficionado, called the choreography the most beautiful he had ever seen.
The opening Movement, "Toccata," was danced by Seo Hye Han, Lasha Khozashvili, Lia Cirio, and John Lam. Each of these Boston Ballet Principal Dancers demonstrated why they are at the top of their profession, combining grace, strength, endurance, flawless lines, and passion in their series of pas de deux. Cirio and Lam continued with the Second Movement, "Aria I," and Han and Khozashvili took over the stage for the Third Movement, "Aria II." The final Movement, "Capriccio," saw this quartet of dancers joined by eight women and eight men from the Corps de Ballet.
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| Stravinsky Violin Concerto by George Balanchine Boston Ballet Boston Opera House Through May 27th Igor Burlak Photograph, Courtesy of Boston Ballet |
Following the first Intermission, we were treated to the World Premiere of "Creatures of Egmont," choreographed by Jorma Elo, Lighting by John Cuff, and Costume Design by Robert Perdziola. The music was Beethoven's "Overture to The Creatures of Prometheus," and the "Egmont Overture," Bach's "Fantasia & Fugue in g minor," Schumann's "Figure No. 6" from "Six Fugues." In this piece, the artistry of Lighting Designer John Cuff was on full display. The tones were all shades of blue - background, costumes, and lighting effects. Various levels of intensity of light signaled shifting moods and tempi.
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"Creatures of Egmont" by Jorma Elo
Boston Ballet
Boston Opera House
Through May 27th
Igor Burlak Photograph, Courtesy of Boston Ballet
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Twelve dancers interpreted the gorgeous choreography of Jorma Elo. They were: Lia Cirio, Lasha Khozashvili, Misa Kuranga, Paulo Arrais, Dusty Button, Sabi Varga, Seo Hye Han, Junxiong Zhao, Maria Baranova, Patrick Yocum, Addie Tapp, Drew Nelson.
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"Creatures of Egmont" by Jorma Elo
Boston Ballet
Boston Opera House
Through May 27th
Igor Burlak Photograph, Courtesy of Boston Ballet
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The final piece of the evening was a reprise of a 2015 Boston Ballet Premiere, "The Concert (Or, The Perils of Everybody)" by Jerome Robbins. This ballet, first performed in 1956 by the New York City Ballet, is an ironic look at the kind of creatures who attend concerts and manage to annoy their neighbors. It features music by Frederic Chopin, with Freda Locker on stage playing the Steinway. She becomes part of the action of the ballet, as well. This piece is light-hearted and amusing, and is an audience favorite.
Principal Dancers in this piece were Kathleen Breen Combes, Lasha Khozashvili, and Dusty Button. They were joined by Isaac Akiba, Diana Albrecht, Daniel Cooper, Emily Entingh, Dalay Parrondo, Matthew Slattery, Patrick Yocum and a Corps of twelve additional dancers.
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| Pianist Freda Locker Kathleen Breen Combes "The Concert" by Jerome Roberts Boston Ballet Boston Opera House Through May 27th Igor Burlak Photograph, Courtesy of Boston Ballet |
This program, running in repertory with "The Sleeping Beauty" will close on May 27th. Get your tickets early.
Boston Ballet Website
Enjoy!
Al
such a ideal post and another success for Boston Ballet. Last evening's audience was wildly enthusiastic about the triple program.
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