THE WEDDING: THREE BALLET WEST PREMIERES

“Les Noces (The Wedding) is noble, it is fierce, it is simple, it is fresh, it is thrilling.” ~ Washington Post

An evening of three stunning Ballet West premieres! This 100th anniversary production of Nijinska’s Les Noces is paired with an ode to the stages of love in Jerome Robbins’ In the Night. Rounding out the evening’s repertoire is Gerald Arpino’s Light Rain, a sparkling tribute to youth that premieres as part of the centennial celebration of Arpino’s birth.

Les Noces, or The Wedding, is a groundbreaking dance oratorio created in 1923 by Igor Stravinsky for a 40-member chorus, four soloists, percussion, and four grand pianos! Unprecedented and startling for the time, Les Noces was choreographed and designed by two women, Bronislava Nijinska, sister of the famed Polish dancer Vaslav Nijinsky, and scenic artist Natalia Goncharova. All three revolutionized the French art scene of the early 20th Century with their spellbinding vision of a Slavic peasant wedding, chronicling the events from the symbolic cutting of the bride’s hair to the terror of the young groom, the mourning of the groom’s mother, and the raucous celebration of the village. The year 2023 marks the 100th anniversary of this unique work that inspired countless artists—including composer Carl Orff when he created Carmina Burana.

In his 1970 mini-masterwork In the Night, choreographer Jerome Robbins explores phases of love and relationships as we watch four couples dance to Chopin’s nocturnes set to solo piano. In the Night is at once dramatic and intimate.

A celebration of youth and passion, Light Rain is rarely seen in its entirety. Set to a sexy and fanciful East/West fusion score, Light Rain was choreographed by Gerald Arpino, Co-Founder of the Joffrey Ballet. With this production, Ballet West joins companies from around the world as we celebrate the centennial of his birth.

5-performance packages start just $131. Single tickets, if available, will go on sale in September.

SUBSCRIBE NOW!

Recommended ages 8 and up.

Programs, artists, and dates subject to change.

LES NOCES

Choreography
Bronislava Nijinska

Music
Igor Stravinsky

Scenic & Costume design
Nathalie Goncharova

World Premiere
June 13, 1923 Ballets Russes, Paris

 

IN THE NIGHT

Choreography
Jerome Robbins

Music
Frederic Chopin

Costume Design
Anthony Dowell

World Premiere
January 29, 1970 New York City Ballet

 

A LIGHT RAIN

Choreography
Gerald Arpino

Music
Douglas Adamz and Russ Gauthier

Costume Design
A. Christina Giannini

World Premiere
Joffrey Ballet November 1981

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