PHOTOS: The Boston Ballet’s “Night of Stars” Performance at Boston Common
Avetik Karapetyan leaps across the stage as the Golden Idol from La Bayadère during the Boston Ballet’s “Night of Stars.” (Photos by Olga Khvan)
The Boston Ballet’s “Night of Stars” show this weekend required 800-plus hours of rehearsals, at least 40 pairs of pointe shoes, 700 (give or take) bobby pins, and more than 345 yards of tulle. The free ballet performance took place on the largest stage ever built on Boston Common. It starred dancers who represented 15 nationalities and who pirouetted 890 times throughout the night. And the show was accompanied by a full live orchestra, led by the Boston Ballet’s musical director and principal conductor Jonathan McPhee.
On Saturday night, tens of thousands gathered for the special free performance on the Common, which celebrated the company’s 50th anniversary. The showcase served as a preview of the Boston Ballet’s 2013-2014 season, featuring selections from the company’s wide-ranging repertoire from classical pieces like George Balanchine’s Serenade, to more upbeat, contemporary pieces like Christopher Bruce’s Rooster, set to music by The Rolling Stones. “Night of Stars” also featured the world premiere of Viktor Plotnikov’s Swan.
Below, check out highlights from the one-night-only performance:
Musical director and principal conductor Jonathan McPhee introduces the Boston Ballet Orchestra before the performance.
The upbeat Rooster piece was set to music by The Rolling Stones.
Clocking in at two minutes, the Golden Idol from La Bayadère is twice as long as a typical male variation in classical ballet.
“Night of Stars” featured the world premiere of Viktor Plotnikov’s Swan, performed by principal dancers Lorna Feijóo and Yury Yanowsky.
George Balanchine’s Symphony in Three Movements.
A pas de deux from George Balanchine’s Serenade.
Another pas de deux from Serenade. More than 345 yards of tulle—the length of nearly three football fields—were on stage during the piece.
Serenade served as a breathtaking finale for “Night of Stars.”
Principal dancers take a bow with conductor Jonathan McPhee and artistic director Mikko Nissinen after a triumphant performance.
