Boston Ballet: La Bayadère

The Boston Ballet is celebrating it's 50th season at the Boston Opera House, and with an opening night like La Bayadère, it's easy to see why.

“La Bayadère is a feast for the senses,” said Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen. “Complementing the technical qualities of our dancers is an intriguing love story, set in the vibrant and exotic India, and performed to a beautiful score by Ludwig Minkus. It is the quintessential classical ballet.”

Elaborate sets, fantastical costumes, the cornerstone of which are the enticing performances by an incredibly talented cast, beautifully supported with an enchanting musical score. The entire production is of a calibre that is out of the world, and maybe only surpassed by THIS production.

Florence Clerc's La Bayadère premiered in Boston in 2010 to rave reviews and is considered to be one of the greatest classical masterpieces ever to be choreographed.

To me, every time my hand flutters to my face in open-mouthed awe and amazement, that is the magic of the ballet...

La Bayadere is on now at The Boston Opera House until Sunday November 2, 2013, for tickets visit the Boston Ballet website.

Boston Ballet: All Kylián

All Kylián is one of the most moving ballets I've ever seen. I was excited to attend opening night on Thursday and happy that Anna was able to join me at the Opera House! The last time I was there was for this magical production by the Boston Ballet!

The show is comprised of three pieces which are now being performed for the first time by an American company, the Boston Ballet. The choreography is by world-renowned choreographer Jiří Kylián, and I was amazed by the incredible beauty and epic strength of the dancers in executing the most complicated to minute movements to an enigmatic score.

Full of allegory, beauty and strength, the first piece: Wings of Wax opens with a giant overturned hanging tree and a single rotating light over the cast of eight dancers. Their simple costumes made it easy to notice all the subtleties in their dance movements. I literally was holding my breath during this entire piece. It was so moving.

Tar and Feathers set the tone with a beautiful piano accompaniment by Japanese pianist Tomoko Mukaiyama, playing from a grand piano elevated 10 feet above the stage. The whole piece is puncuated by Jiří Kylián himself, asking "what is the word" resulting in a most amusing and breathtaking choreography of quick movements and repetitive gestures. This piece was my favorite!

The Symphony of Psalms, first choreographed in 1978 is set to a luscious backdrop of several Persian rugs hung from the rafters. The dancers exude elegance, power and poise throughout, and it's mesmerizing to watch.

As photography is not allowed, I am sharing some images (by Rosalie O'Connor) courtesy of the Boston Ballet, however, I did manage to Instagram curtain call and the interior of the beautiful Boston Opera.

All Kylián is playing at The Boston Opera House until March 17, 2013, for tickets please visit: http://boxoffice.bostonballet.org