Ballet West presents Pictures at an Exhibition, a triple-bill featuring two Utah premieres by two of the world’s most renowned living choreographers. This unique program offers three distinct masterpieces, being performed Nov. 8 – 16 at the Janet Quinney Lawson Capital Theatre.
The Utah premiere of Alexei Ratmansky’s Pictures at an Exhibition presents an emotionally moving suite of dances set to Modest Mussorgsky’s virtuoso piano score of the same name. Ratmansky, one of the foremost choreographers of his generation, has built a reputation of excellence from both his historic reconstructions of the great classics and his dynamic, challenging, and unique new creations.
With a distinguished career, including roles as Artistic Director of the Bolshoi Ballet (2004-2008) and Artist in Residence at both the American Ballet Theatre and the New York City Ballet, Ratmansky’s works are in the repertoires of some of the worlds greatest companies. This is the first time Ballet West will perform one of his ballets. Additionally, inspired by the technical caliber and artistry of the Ballet West artists, the choreographer himself will be in attendance the entire first week of performances, working closely with the company. This is an honor he rarely bestows on the many companies that perform his pieces.
The program will open with George Balanchine’s Serenade, celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. Created in 1933 as Balanchine’s first work in America, Serenade is set to Tchaikovsky’s lush “Serenade for Strings” and showcases the choreographer’s genius in transforming dance moments into timeless art.
The program will also include the Utah Premiere of Within the Golden Hour by Tony Award-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon (An American in Paris, MJ Musical). Wheeldon, also one of the ballet world’s most sought-after choreographers, originally created this elegant non-narrative work on the San Francisco Ballet in 2008 set to a nuanced score by Ezio Bosso as inspired by Antonio Vivaldi.
The Ballet West Orchestra will perform the music live, featuring compositions by masters Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, and Vivaldi.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to witness the artistry of world-class choreography and dancing. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.balletwest.org.
About Ballet West
Ballet West, one of America’s leading ballet companies, under the artistic direction of Adam Sklute, has earned an international reputation for artistic innovation and excellence since its founding in 1963. For over 60 years, the Salt Lake City-based Company has entertained and excited audiences in Utah and worldwide by presenting great classical ballets, historical masterpieces, including America’s First Nutcracker, and new cutting-edge creations with only the highest artistic and professional standards. The Company continues to build future ballet artists and audiences by providing classical ballet training through the Frederick Q. Lawson Ballet West Academy and its four campuses and more than 1,000 students. Ballet West also operates the largest outreach and education programs in the country which reaches over 148,000 children and adults throughout Utah and the Intermountain Region every year. The 24/25 Season is generously sponsored by Salt Lake Zoo, Arts & Parks, George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation, and Intermountain Health.
