WORKS "FROM DISTANT SHORES"
Works by three celebrated contemporary dance choreographers
display dancers versatility, artistry, athleticism
WHAT:
Boston Ballet presents
Rudi van Dantzig's "Ginastera," Nacho Duato's "Jardi Tancat" and Lila York's
"Celts"
WHEN:
October 25 - November 4, 2001
Thursday, Oct. 25, 7 p.m.*
Friday, Oct. 26, 8 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 27, 2 & 8 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 28, 2 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 30, 8 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 31, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 1, 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 2, 8 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 3, 2 & 8 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 4, 2 p.m.
? Open Media Call for photo/camera crews: Wednesday, October 24, 7:30-10:30
p.m.
? *Media Review Night: Thursday, October 25, 7 p.m.
Running time for From Distant Shores is two hours, including two 15-minute
intermissions.
WHERE:
All performances at The Wang Theatre, 270 Tremont Street, Boston
TICKETS:
$25-$78 - Available through Tele-charge by phone at (800) 447-7400, on the
internet at www.bostonballet.org or in person at The Wang Theatre box
office, open Monday-Saturday,
10 a.m.-6 p.m.
RELATED
EVENT:
October 30, 7 p.m. "Informance"-Informative pre-performance
lecture/demonstration.
The Wang Theatre, 270 Tremont Street, Boston. Free to all ticket holders.
October 1, 2001 (Boston, MA)-Boston Ballet presents From Distant Shores, a
program of three contemporary dance works inspired by Europe, created by
choreographers Rudi van Dantzig, Nacho Duato and Lila York. From Distant
Shores features two Boston premieres, van Dantzig's "Ginastera" and Duato's
"Jardi Tancat," and the return of an audience favorite, York's "Celts" which
had its world premiere with Boston Ballet in 1996. Boston Ballet presents
From Distant Shores October 25 - November 4, 2001 at The Wang Theatre.
Dutch Masterpiece
Former Dutch National Ballet Artistic Director and celebrated European
choreographer, Rudi van Dantzig originally created "Ginastera" in 1976,
inspired by the technical prowess of the men in his company. What emerged
was an abstract work for 16 men and women performed to Argentine composer
Alberto Ginastera's String Quartet No. 2. "Ginastera" features vivid
geometric patterns, lyrical duets and bold movements, which require speed,
strength and stamina. Ginastera's Quartet will be played live by soloists
of the Boston Ballet Orchestra: Michael Rosenbloom, Dianne Pettipaw, Jean
Haig and Ronald Lowry.
"From the day I started working in the studios, I was very impressed by the
Boston Ballet dancers: the way they danced, their very good technique," said
van Dantzig, who set his ballet "Four Last Songs" on the dancers last
spring.
Van Dantzig has had a long and prolific career as a choreographer, dancer,
writer and filmmaker. His most well-known book is the autobiographical,
"For a Lost Soldier" which was later made into a movie. Van Dantzig has
staged ballets for American Ballet Theatre, Harkness Ballet, Ballet Rambert,
Bat Dor Dance Company, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Houston Ballet, National
Ballet of Canada, Royal Ballet, Royal Danish Ballet, Tokyo Ballet and
Hungarian State Opera.
His "Four Last Songs," performed by Boston Ballet in March 2001, was met
with audience and critic accolades. "Rudi van Dantzig's poetic 1977
masterpiece, 'Four Last Songs' was the highlight of the evening, primarily
due to an extraordinary pas de deux," wrote Theodore Bale in The Boston
Herald. "Van Dantzig has said that his two major influences were Martha
Graham and George Balanchine, and he has taken from both and created a dense
style of his own that's a perfect fit with Strauss' score."
Spanish Rhythms
Nacho Duato's "Jardi Tancat" or "enclosed garden" is a powerful, rhythmic
and earthy piece, that combines traditional steps from the choreographer's
native Spain with contemporary movement. Although it is an abstract dance,
it vividly portrays the loves and struggles of three hard-working Catalonian
peasant couples and their connection to the earth and each other. Duato
choreographed "Jardi Tancat" in 1983 to five traditional Catalonian folk
songs sung by María del Mar Bonet. "Jardi Tancat" was his first creation
and for this work he won first prize at the International Choreographic
Workshop in Cologne, Germany. Duato himself designed the simple,
traditional costumes and sets in pale, earthy tones. Boston Ballet
performed Duato's "Without Words" in February 2000 to critical acclaim.
"Since his debut as a choreographer with 'Jardi Tancat,' created for
Nederlands Dans Theater II in 1983, Duato has retained his spontaneous
responses and fluidity of movement while exploring sophisticated and subtle
choreographic structures," wrote Laura Kumin in Dance Magazine. "In demand
as a guest choreographer, his works are now performed by companies
throughout the world, among them American Ballet Theatre, San Francisco
Ballet, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, Nederlands Dans Theater, Stuttgart
Ballet, and Lyon Opera Ballet."
"Duato's choreographic style exhibits the impeccable balance of classical
and contemporary technique characteristic of contemporary European ballet,
especially the work of Ji?í Kylián. It combines the choreographer's love
for Spanish folk and period music."
Celtic Fervor
Lila York strives to capture the heart and soul of Ireland in "Celts," her
1996 work created originally for Boston Ballet. This rousing piece mixes
classical ballet, jigs, and speedy footwork set to a stunning mix of Irish
music, ranging from the traditional tunes to the contemporary sounds of The
Chieftains, an original percussion score by William J. Ruyle and the music
of Bill Whelan, Celtic Thunder and Dan Ar Braz. Since its world premiere by
Boston Ballet, "Celts" has been performed twice by San Francisco Ballet.
Tulsa Ballet will perform the production in November, 2001.
York is a former soloist with Paul Taylor Dance Company. Since 1986, she
has choreographed works for Pacific Northwest Ballet, San Francisco Ballet,
Houston Ballet and many others.
"Lila York's exuberant 'Celts'... (is) quite possibly the most exhilarating
work in the company's entire repertory," wrote Karen Campbell in The Boston
Herald. "The corps also came out full-force, with impressive commitment,
ensemble solidity and energy that sailed across the footlights. It's clear
they enjoyed dancing York's masterpiece as much as the audience thrilled to
watch it."
Boston Ballet's international roster of dancers represents 11 countries from
around the world. From Distant Shores celebrates a common thread the world
can share, dance.
Founded in 1963, Boston Ballet is considered one of the top dance companies
in North America. Led by Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen, Boston Ballet
has more than 50 full-time dancers and maintains an internationally
acclaimed repertoire of classical and contemporary works, ranging from
full-length story ballets to new works by contemporary choreographers such
as Christopher Wheeldon, Nacho Duato, Mark Morris and Lila York. Boston
Ballet Center for Dance Education instructs more than 9,000 students of all
ages each year through Boston Ballet School, Young Dancers Summer Workshop,
Summer Dance Program, DanceLab, Citydance and Taking Steps.
# # #
Discounted Tickets
Discounted group tickets (15 or more) are available by calling Boston
Ballet's Group Sales Office at (617) 456-6343. Student rush tickets are
available for $12.50 in person at the Wang Theatre box office and must be
purchased the day of each performance-student identification must be
presented at time of purchase, limit one per student.
