Boston Ballet Launches 50th Year with Five Company Premieres and Historic Touring

Boston Ballet Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen today announced the programming for an exciting 2013-2014 season. The Company will commence its 50 year celebration this July with a tour to London, England where they will perform at the London Coliseum. In a sweeping gesture of gratitude to its home city, Boston Ballet will present the first-ever Night of Stars gala on Boston Common - a free performance for the greater-Boston community. Programming includes an astounding range of works, featuring stunning classics La Bayadere and Cinderella, two cutting-edge repertory programs containing American and world premieres, and Balanchine's masterpiece, Jewels. Bringing the season to a triumphant close, Boston Ballet will tour to the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., and end with performances at the Koch Theater in New York City's Lincoln Center.

"We have exhilarating momentum going into our 50th year," said Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen. "The 2013-2014 season is a pivotal celebration of the Company's distinguished past, extraordinary present, and exciting future. This milestone year is an opportunity to celebrate today's Boston Ballet and give thanks to all the people who have helped us get here."

Boston Ballet kicks off the 50th season with a presentation at the Ballet Across America Festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and a return to London after 30 years. On July 3-7, 2013, the Company will self-present six performances at the London Coliseum. Two programs were carefully selected by Artistic Director, Mikko Nissinen to highlight the magnitude of Boston Ballet's repertoire and the versatility of its dancers. The dynamic collection of ballets the Company will perform in London reflect a century of groundbreaking choreography, ranging from Vaslav Nijinsky to George Balanchine, to Boston Ballet Resident Choreographer, Jorma Elo. For more on the tour to London see the London Tour press release.

To begin this memorable season at home, Boston Ballet will present a one-night-only performance of Night of Stars on Boston Common - September 21, 2013. Free to the public, the evening will feature a wonderful selection of Boston Ballet's diverse repertoire. The Company will perform a range of classical, neo-classical, and contemporary favorites, such as George Balanchine's Serenade and Symphony in Three Movements, Mikhail Fokine's Dying Swan, and Jorma Elo's Brake the Eyes, among others.

"Boston Ballet has much to celebrate as it turns 50," said Executive Director Barry Hughson. "The organization is seeing strength on all levels, from the stage to the boardroom. Throughout this season of great festivity, we hope to engage a broad Boston audience and share our mission of promoting excellence in artistic endeavors, dance education and unparalleled community outreach programs."

The Boston Opera House season opens in October 2013 with the return of the magnificent La Bayadere, an exotic tale of love and betrayal. In December, Mikko Nissinen's The Nutcracker will reclaim the stage with its exquisite sets and costumes by Robert Perdziola. After record breaking popularity in its debut year, this critically acclaimed spectacular production is sure to be a highlight of the holiday season. In February 2014, Boston Ballet will present a trio of thrilling works in Close to Chuck, consisting of Ji?í Kylian's brilliant Bella Figura, a world premiere by José Martinez, former Etoile with Paris Opera Ballet and current Artistic Director of National Ballet of Spain, and C. to C. (Close to Chuck) by Jorma Elo in collaboration with composer Phillip Glass and artist Chuck Close. In March the Company will unveil a new addition to the classical repertoire with Sir Frederick Ashton's sensational classic, Cinderella. In May, Boston Ballet presents three ballets that will touch audiences profoundly in Pricked. This scintillating selection of works featuring Petr Zuska's ethereal D.M.J.(1953-1977), Alexander Ekman's bold Cacti, and Harald Lander's beautiful Etudes. The final production presented at The Boston Opera House will be George Balanchine's renowned tour de force, Jewels.

The 50th season will culminate in June 2014 with back-to-back domestic tours to The John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington D.C. and The David H. Koch Theater at New York City's Lincoln Center. This paramount year honors Boston Ballet as a landmark cultural institution, making history in Boston for the past 50 years and into the next.

London Tour
The London Coliseum
July 3 - 7, 2013