Boston Ballet launches the second season at The Boston Opera House October 23, 2010 with the one-night-only Night of Stars followed by a world premiere of Florence Clerc’s La Bayadère with lavish sets and new costumes, November 4-14, and America’s most beloved Nutcracker, November 26 – December 31.
“Fall is one of the most exciting times of year for Boston Ballet and we are in full preparation for an incredible season of dance,” said Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen. “Last year’s Night of Stars was sold out and the performance is the perfect kick-off for the season. I’m thrilled to present a world premiere La Bayadère – a monumental story ballet featuring the vibrant culture of India that is so engaging and relevant to today’s audiences. The Nutcracker returns this year with an extended run which includes a New Year’s Eve performance with some special surprises.”
Boston Ballet has begun rehearsals for the fall productions and the 2010-2011 season, the company’s second at The Boston Opera House. The season begins October 23 with the fifth annual Night of Stars. The one-night-only performance features highlights from Boston Ballet’s past and future repertoire and several pièces d'occasion. Last season’s Night of Stars was a sold-out success, with The Phoenix asserting there must be a “ballet boom” in Boston and The Boston Globe raving, “from the opening fanfare to the closing processional… Night of Stars was a rousing celebration.” Paris Opera Ballet stars Dorothée Gilbert and Alessio Carbone are the special guest artists for this year’s performance.
Night of Stars is followed by a world premiere of the classical tour de force La Bayadère. The new production, by Florence Clerc, a former Etoile with Paris Opera Ballet, will run November 4-14. The vibrant Petipa classic is an important bridge between the romantic and classical eras of ballet and was first performed at St. Petersburg’s Maryinsky Theater in 1877. The ballet is set to music written by composer Ludwig Minkus and is one of the most celebrated masterpieces of choreography. La Bayadère contains the monumental Kingdom of Shades scene, one of the finest works of academic classical ballet choreography. A story of betrayal and love set in exotic India, La Bayadère follows the heartbreaking tale of a temple dancer and a young warrior kept apart in life and united only in death. The ballet has a rich, lavish set design and production elements which conjure up The Arabian Nights and Bollywood culture and is sure to transport the audience. The production will feature adapted sets and vivid, new costumes. Boston Ballet performed a previous version of this work in 2000.
For the holiday season, Mikko Nissinen’s The Nutcracker takes the stage. The New England classic is now known across the nation – voted in 2009 as the “Best Loved Nutcracker in the U.S.” The Nutcracker, which had sell-out performances and drew cheering crowds last year, will shine through the holiday season with an extended run of 40 performances. The production features the Company dancers and more than 250 children from Boston Ballet School. Lavish costumes, sets, and Mikko Nissinen’s exquisite choreography are complemented by the live music played by the Boston Ballet Orchestra under the direction of Music Director and Principal Conductor Jonathan McPhee. A special performance on December 31 offers audiences a unique opportunity to experience of the magic of The Nutcracker for a special New Year’s Eve celebration filled with added surprises.
All performances are held at The Boston Opera House
Night of Stars – ONE NIGHT ONLY
October 23, 2010, 7:30pm
La Bayadère – COMPANY PREMIERE
November 4 – 14, 2010
Music: Ludwig Minkus
Choreography: Florence Clerc after Marius Petipa
The Nutcracker
November 26 – December 31, 2010
Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Choreography: Mikko Nissinen
SEE MIKKO NISSINEN TALK ABOUT THE 2010-2011 SEASON:
www.bostonballet.org/explorebb/videos/2010-2011.html
2010-2011 Season Tickets
Subscriptions for the 2010-2011 season and individual tickets to The Nutcracker are on sale now. Individual tickets to season ballets go on sale August 30. Subscriptions and all tickets will be available for sales online 24 hours a day at www.bostonballet.org or 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. Prices for season ballets start at $25. Tickets to The Nutcracker start at $35. Discounted group tickets (10 or more for season ballets and 20 or more for The Nutcracker) are available by calling Boston Ballet’s Group Sales at 617.456.6343. Contact the Boston Ballet Box Office at 617.695.6955 or visit www.bostonballet.org for details.
About Boston Ballet
Since 1963, Boston Ballet has been one of the leading dance companies in the world on stage, in the studio and in the community. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen and Executive Director Barry Hughson, the Company maintains an internationally acclaimed repertoire and the largest ballet school in North America, Boston Ballet School.
Boston Ballet maintains a repertoire of classical, neo-classical and contemporary works, ranging from full-length story ballets to new works by some of today's finest choreographers. Boston Ballet's second company, Boston Ballet II, is comprised of pre-professional dancers who gain experience by performing with the Company and independently, presenting lecture-demonstrations and special programs to audiences throughout the Northeast.
Boston Ballet School, the official school of Boston Ballet, has a long-standing dedication to excellence and access and reaches more than 10,000 students ages 2-adult each year through Boston Ballet School classes, Summer Dance Workshop, Summer Dance Program, Citydance, Taking Steps, and Adaptive Dance. The wide array of dance programs are held at three studio locations in Boston, Newton, and Marblehead with additional programs throughout New England, as well as community centers and in Boston Public Schools.
Boston Ballet gratefully acknowledges the following institutional partners:
State Street Corporation, 2010 Presenting Sponsor, The Nutcracker
Jane’s Trust
Massachusetts Cultural Council
National Endowment for the Arts
Boston Organ & Piano, Official Piano Supplier of Boston Ballet
