Mikko Nissinen Meredith Max Hodges Artistic Director Executive Director Hart Artistic Director’S Chair
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Mikko Nissinen Meredith Max Hodges Artistic Director Executive Director Hart Artistic Director’s Chair Assistant Artistic Director Russell Kaiser Ballet Masters Shannon Parsley Larissa Ponomarenko Anthony Randazzo Resident Choreographer Jorma Elo Principal Dancers PAULO ARRAIS KATHLEEN BREEN COMBES ANAÏS CHALENDARD LIA CIRIO PAUL CRAIG ASHLEY ELLIS SEO HYE HAN LASHA KHOZASHVILI MISA KURANAGA JOHN LAM ERIS NEZHA PATRICK YOCUM JUNXIONG ZHAO Soloists ISAAC AKIBA MARIA BARANOVA RACHELE BURIASSI JI YOUNG CHAE RODDY DOBLE DEREK DUNN FLORIMOND LORIEUX DALAY PARRONDO IRLAN SILVA Second Soloists DIANA ALBRECHT HANNAH BETTES CORINA GILL LAUREN HERFINDAHL LAWRENCE RINES ADDIE TAPP Artists MARIA ALVAREZ DAWN ATKINS JESSICA BURROWS EKATERINE CHUBINIDZE DANIEL COOPER DANIEL DURRETT EMILY ENTINGH SAMIVEL EVANS CHYRSTYN FENTROY BRETT FUKUDA ANDRES GARCIA SAGE HUMPHRIES GRAHAM JOHNS MAMUKA KIKALISHVILI SEUNG HYUN LEE SO JUNG LEE ALEXANDER MARYIANOWSKI NINA MATIASHVILI ABIGAIL MERLIS DREW NELSON PATRIC PALKENS ALEC ROBERTS MICHAEL RYAN REINA SAWAI HALEY SCHWAN MATTHEW SLATTERY DESEAN TABER Associate Director of Boston Ballet II Peter Stark BOSTON BALLET II Olivia Behrmann Caroline Buckheit Tyson Clark Thomas Davidoff Derek Drilon August Generalli Thomas Harrison Catherine Livingston Christian Pforr Gabriela Schiefer Children’s Ballet Master Miranda Weese Principal Guest Conductor Beatrice Jona Affron Senior Principal Company Pianist Principal Solo Pianist Freda Locker Alex Foaksman E. VIRGINIA WILLIAMS, FOUNDER BOSTON BALLET 19 CLARENDON STREET, BOSTON, MA 02116 TEL 617.695.6950 FAX 617.695.6995 BOSTONBALLET.ORG Boston Ballet 2017 – 2018 Season Summary Obsidian Tear | Nov 3–12, 2017 This program of contemporary works features the North American premiere of Wayne McGregor’s Obsidian Tear, a co-production with The Royal Ballet, and Fifth Symphony of Jean Sibelius, a world premiere by Boston Ballet Resident Choreographer Jorma Elo. Obsidian Tear features an all-male ensemble and is set to Finnish composer and conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen’s Lachen verlernt for solo violin and his symphonic poem Nyx. The program will open with an orchestral performance of Sibelius’ Finlandia. Mikko Nissinen’s The Nutcracker | Nov 24–Dec 31, 2017 Mikko Nissinen’s The Nutcracker is one of New England’s most treasured holiday traditions. Featuring sensational sets, gorgeous costumes, and superlative dancing, this production of the timeless ballet is a must-see for all ages. Parts In Suite | Mar 9–Apr 7, 2018 Three genius choreographers, two company premieres, and one artistic vision converge in this mixed- repertory program with the company premiere of William Forsythe’s Pas/Parts, full of brilliant detail yet airy in effect; the company premiere of Justin Peck’s dreamscape In Creases; and the return of Jorma Elo’s acclaimed Bach Cello Suites. Romeo & Juliet | Mar 15–Apr 8, 2018 Love brings beauty and sorrow in John Cranko’s interpretation of William Shakespeare’s tragic tale of youthful passion and family rivalry. Cranko’s production is set to Sergei Prokofiev’s bold and poignant score, with sets and costumes by internationally-acclaimed German stage designer Jürgen Rose. The Sleeping Beauty | May 11–19, 2018 Marius Petipa’s gorgeous version of this coming-of-age fairy tale is back by popular demand for five performances only. This ballet celebrates the power of a kiss and features soaring music by Tchaikovsky, breathtaking choreography by Petipa and Sir Frederick Ashton, and sumptuous costumes and sets by Emmy Award-winning designer David Walker. Classic Balanchine | May 17–Jun 9, 2018 Experience the master anew with the company premiere of Chaconne, his composition of transcendent beauty and lyrical dance; Prodigal Son, an early and acclaimed story ballet; and Stravinsky Violin Concerto, which offers two of his most distinctive pas de deux. La Sylphide | May 24–Jun 10, 2018 The season concludes with Danish ballet master August Bournonville’s romantic and heartbreaking story of a young Scotsman who abandons his friends, family, and betrothed for the unattainable love of a woodland sprite. It is paired with Bournonville Divertissements, a series of excerpts from his many beloved works, including excerpts of Napoli, Flower Festival in Genzano, and Jockey Dance. Boston Ballet History Boston Ballet’s internationally acclaimed performances, world-class school programs, and ground-breaking community outreach programs have made the institution a leader in its field and one of the major dance companies in the world with a 54-year history of promoting excellence and access to dance. The Company, made up of 65 dancers and 15 nationalities, performs a diverse and acclaimed repertoire ranging from full-length classical ballets, to masterworks by George Balanchine, and new works and world premieres by today’s finest contemporary choreographers. Boston Ballet School is one of the largest ballet schools in the world, with education programs taking place throughout New England and pre-professional training of the highest caliber. Boston Ballet is the major center for dance in New England. The Company performs its full season at the historic, 2,500-seat Boston Opera House and resides in a state-of-the-art facility in Boston’s South End designed by architect Graham Gund. Boston Ballet also has national and international touring engagements, including 2014 Lincoln Center, 2014 Kennedy Center, 2013 London, England; 2012 Helsinki, Finland; 2010 and 2007 Spain; 2010 Ottawa, Canada; and 2008 Seoul, Korea, as well as performances at the Guggenheim Museum’s Works & Process series, the Fall for Dance Festival at New York City Center, Orange County Performing Arts Center, Spoleto Festival USA, and The Kennedy Center’s “Ballet Across America” series in 2008 and 2013. In 2016, Boston Ballet announced a five-year partnership with internationally-renowned choreographer William Forsythe, and presented Forsythe’s full-length ARTIFACT in February of 2017. Boston Ballet is committed to maintaining a repertoire that combines timeless classics such as Marius Petipa’s The Sleeping Beauty, August Bournonville’s La Sylphide, Mikko Nissinen’s Swan Lake, and John Cranko’s Romeo & Juliet, with the imaginative visions of today’s most innovative choreographers including Resident Choreographer Jorma Elo, as well as William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, Mark Morris, David Dawson, Christopher Wheeldon, and Helen Pickett. In 2009, The New York Times hailed Boston Ballet’s repertoire as “one of the most eclectic in the country,” and in 2010 as having dancers that are “striking by national and international standards.” Boston Ballet’s award-winning The Nutcracker, choreographed by Nissinen, is a tradition in New England. Over 40 performances employ the talents of the entire company and more than 240 Boston Ballet School students perform in the production every year. Boston Ballet is a leading source of arts education and cultural enrichment in New England and the world through Boston Ballet School, led by Nissinen and Boston Ballet School Director Margaret Tracey. Boston Ballet School reaches more than 5,000 students at locations in Boston, Newton, and Marblehead for ages 2 through adult, at all experience levels. Boston Ballet School offers intensive and pre-professional training with internationally renowned faculty through year-round and summer dance programs. Boston Ballet’s Department of Education and Community Initiatives (ECI) provides programming, events, and activities that connect the community to dance, make ballet relevant, and help cultivate a new generation of life-long arts advocates and participants. ECI reaches over 4,000 individuals in the community to cultivate a love of dance and the arts through our education programs, community events, workshops, and performances. ECI dance education programs include Citydance (for third graders in area public schools), ECI on Location (for individuals ages 10–adult at local schools and community sites), and Adaptive Dance (for individuals with disabilities ages 2–adult). Other offerings include Community Workshops, subsidized ticketing, and creative partnerships. Boston Ballet’s rich history began in 1963, as the first professional repertory ballet company in New England, founded by E. Virginia Williams. Boston Ballet’s national and international reputation developed under the leadership of Artistic Directors Violette Verdy (1980–1984), Bruce Marks (1985–1997), and Anna-Marie Holmes (1997–2000). Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen was selected to lead Boston Ballet in September 2001. A dedicated group of Trustees is led by Board Chair Jack Meyer. Throughout its history, Boston Ballet has been a leader in the arts. In 1979, Boston Ballet opened the Nervi Festival in Italy, and in 1980 was the first American dance company to perform in the People's Republic of China. The Company made its London premiere in 1981, with a full-length production of Swan Lake. In 1983, Boston Ballet presented Don Quixote on Broadway with Rudolf Nureyev as a special guest artist, following a tour of the United States, Mexico, France, and Italy. Boston Ballet collaborated with choreographer Mark Morris for the first time in 1986. In May 1990, Natalia Dudinskaya and Konstantin Sergeyev, along with then- Assistant Artistic Director Anna-Marie Holmes, staged a new production of Swan Lake featuring Boston Ballet dancers performing the leading roles with dancers from The Kirov Ballet and The Bolshoi Ballet. This historic production attracted international attention. In recent years, the Company