Boston Ballet presents “Bella Figura”

Check out my review in Metro today! Below is a slightly longer version.

Bella Figura: Altan Dugaraa, Sarah Wroth, Yury Yanowsky © Gene Schiavone.

The ‘Bella’ the ball

Boston Ballet has been having an explosive spring season and “Bella Figura” is no exception. This performance has just as much attitude as grace.

The headliner — a ballet that has never been performed by an American company — is fierce. Choreographed by Jiří Kylián, the same creative mastermind behind BB’s 2009 and 2010 “Black and White,” “Bella Figura” is bold and aggressive and will catch you by surprise — exactly what Artistic Director Mikko wants for his audiences. “[Kylian] makes people think,” Nissinen said of the Czech choreographer last season. He certainly does. At one point, the nine-dancer ensemble of men and women appear topless, with flowing lipstick red full skirts. The curtains play an important role in framing the ballet, from swallowing the dancers from behind, to dividing the stage into sections to create an intimate setting.

The Second Detail: Lia Cirio, Whitney Jensen, Rie Ichikawa © Gene Schiavone.

William Forsythe’s “The Second Detail” has a very industrial look and sound with clear traces of Balanchine. There is so much contemporary ballet/jazz happening but it is strategically calculated and choreographed to look completely random then suddenly synchronized.

Helen Pickett presents a mystical 3-part series (including a world premiere) to the music of Arvo Pärt (we got a sneak peek of Part I in “Night of Stars”). Part II, “Tsukiyo” pas de deux is absolutely breathtaking — Lia Cirio and Sabi Varga have the ability to read on another’s bodies with flawless fluidity and jagged emotional impact.

Boston Ballet present’s ‘Bella Figura”

Through May 8

The Opera House

539 Washington St., Boston

MBTA: Red/Orange Line to Downtown Crossing; Green Line to Boylston

$25-$132, 617-695-6950

www.bostonballet.org

Boston Ballet presents “Black and White” May 20-30, 2010

Last week I spoke to Boston Ballet’s Artistic Director about the highly anticipated encore engagement of Jiří Kylián’s “Black and White.” Check it out in today’s Metro.

‘Black and White’ and dance all over

The latest from Boston Ballet will ‘make people think’

For the Twitter/Ritalin generation, it’s unusual to find something that sticks with you for very long. However, last season’s Boston Ballet performance of Jiří Kylián’s “Black and White” left Boston audiences wanting more.

But why was there such a strong connection to this particular program?

“The works talk to human beings and people can relate to them. It makes people think,” says Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen.

He explains that the five ballets are life lessons.

“People are very interested in looking at themselves in the mirror.”

The decision to bring Black and White” back for a second season in a row was always in Nissinen’s plan, though an unprecedented move. He says he wanted audiences to experience the program in two different venues, the Wang Theatre last season, and now The Opera House.

“It is going to be more intimate,” he says. “It’s like if you were to increase volume on your home stereo system.”

Break it down

There are changes in casting from the previous engagement. But even with about 30 percent in different roles, or new to the company, Nissinen says that with a year under their belt, the company is even more ready “to deliver the goodies.”

“The progression of the first four (”No More Play,” “Petite Mort,” “Sarabande,” and “Falling Angels”) are my favorite. The last (”Sechs Tänze”) is lighter and completes the program wonderfully,” he says.

‘Black and White’
Through May 30
The Opera House
539 Washington St. Boston
MBTA: Green Line to Boylston
$25-$135, 617-695-6955
www.bostonballet.org