February 20 - March 2, 2014
"Feast your eyes while you can" - The Boston Globe
Close to Chuck is an artfully curated trio of works, showcasing three ballets from some of today's most visionary choreographers.
The program features the return of Jiří Kylián's transcendent Bella Figura, the company premiere of Resident Choreographer Jorma Elo's C. to. C (Close to Chuck) reborn with music by Philip Glass and sets by renown American artist Chuck Close, and a ground breaking world premiere by José Martinez, former Paris Opera étoile, and current artistic director of the Spanish National Ballet.
Bella Figura
Bella Figura, created by Jiři Kylián in 1995, is a dreamlike work set to a Baroque score. Kylián has described the work as "a journey in time-light and space, addressing the ambiguity of aesthetics-performances and dreams. Finding beauty in a grimace-in a knot of the mind-or in a physical contortion. It is like standing on the edge of a dream. Standing in darkness and staring into a sharp light with eyes closed-doubting every bit of our so-called reality." The Los Angeles Times wrote of Bella Figura, "in an increasingly dark world, [Kylián's] dancers are beautiful enough to give almost anyone renewed faith."
C. to. C (Close to Chuck) reborn
C. to C. (Close to Chuck) reborn speaks to the concept of overcoming limitations in life. Originally commissioned for American Ballet Theatre, Resident Choreographer Jorma Elo was inspired by the unique bond between Artist Chuck Close and Composer Philip Glass. The two friends have collaborated indirectly since the 1960s - Close has painted many portraits of Glass, who at the request of concert pianist Bruce Levingston composed A Musical Portrait of Chuck Close in 2005. Bruce Levingston, called "one of today's most adventurous musicians" by The New York Times premiered the first performance of the ballet and will accompany all performances at Boston Opera House. Featuring imaginative costumes by Ralph Rucci, the artwork of Chuck Close, and Glass' compelling score, Elo's C. to C. (Close to Chuck) has been described by The New York Times as "a hall of mirrors."
Resonance a world premiere by José Martinez
Boston Ballet is the first American company to commission a piece from José Martinez and is pleased to premiere this new work at the Boston Opera House.
At the invitation of Artistic Director Rudolf Nureyev, José Martinez joined the Paris Opera Ballet in 1988 and was named an Etoile in 1997. One of the finest dancers in in the world, Martinez is renowned for his classical and contemporary brilliance. Along with performing all major classical ballets, Martinez has worked with the world's most famous contemporary choreographers, including Pina Bausch, William Forsythe, Maurice Béjart, Roland Petit, John Neumeier, Mats Ek, and Jiří Kylián.
Martinez made his debut as a choreographer in 2002 with Mi Favorita, and in 2009 he received the Prix Benois de la Danse for his full length work, Les Enfants du Paradis which premiered at the Opéra National de Paris in 2008. In December 2010, Martinez was appointed director Compania Nacional de Danza in Spain.
Photos and Video
Click here to view photos
Want to know more? José Martinez and Boston Ballet artistic director sit down to discuss Martinez's upcoming world premiere for Boston Ballet
Events
Saturday, February 22, 2014 - Post Show Conversation with Mikko
A post-performance opportunity to meet Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen and hear his insights on the program following the performance.
On February 22 join Mikko Nissinen and Concert Pianist Bruce Levingston for a discussion of Jorma Elo's C to C
This informal discussion is free for all ticket holders and is held at the Boston Opera House immediately following the 7:30pm performance. Guests speakers subject to change.
Saturday, March 1, 2014 - Pre-Curtain Talk
Dancers, choreographers, musicians, and special guests offer audience members an insider's view on the storyline, choreography, history, costumes, and music for the following season ballets.
On March 1 join Mikko Nissinen, Jorma Elo and Bruce Levingston for a discussion on the evening's performance
This informal discussion is free for all ticket holders and is held at the Boston Opera House one hour before the 7:30 pm performance. Guests speakers subject to change.
Casting
Close to Chuck Casting Week 1
Close to Chuck Casting Week 2
Program Credits
Bella Figura
MUSIC Lukas Foss+, Giovanni Battista Pergolesi, Alessandro Marcello, Antonio Vivaldi, Giuseppe Torelli
CHOREOGRAPHY Jiří Kylián
ASSISTANT TO THE CHOREOGRAPHER Ken Ossola
SET DESIGN Jiří Kylián
COSTUME DESIGN Joke Visser
LIGHTING DESIGN Kees Tjebbes
TECH ADAPTATION Kees Tjebbes
World Premiere: October 12, 1995, Nederlands Dans Theater, The Hague, Netherlands
+ By arrangement with Boosey & Hawkes, Inc., Sole Agent in the US, Canada and Mexico for Editions Salabert, a Universal Music Publishing Group company, publisher and copyright owner
C. to C. (Close to Chuck)
MUSIC Philip Glass
CHOREOGRAPHY Jorma Elo
SET DESIGN Chuck Close
COSTUME DESIGN Ralph Rucci
LIGHTING DESIGN Brad Fields
SOLO PIANIST Bruce Levingston
World Premiere: 27 October 2007, American Ballet Theatre
Resonance - World Premiere
MUSIC Franz Liszt - Transcendental Etudes Nos. 1, 2, 4,& 8
Franz Liszt -Two Transcriptions for the piano from the Requiem by W.A. Mozart, Confutatis maledictis, Lacrymosa
PIANISTS Freda Locker & Alex Foaksman
CHOREOGRAPHY José Martinez
COSTUME AND SCENIC DESIGN Jean-Marc Puissant
LIGHTING DESIGN John Cuff
World Premiere: February 20, 2014, Boston Ballet, The Boston Opera House
For a full PDF of Choreographer's biographies and performance notes please click here
For detailed box office information, theatre information, and other performance policies click here
Kristi Boone in Close to Chuck by Gene Schiavone Courtesy of American Ballet Theatre, Altan Dugaraa and Kathleen Breen Combes in Bella Figura by Gene Schiavone
