Feature

In With the New

Spring’s New York City Ballet marks start of new season with new works

by Caitlin Roche   |   Apr 13, 2010

In With the New

 

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To some the New York City Ballet may feel a little foreign, and their annual Spring Gala might seem out of reach. Yes, the gala is extravagant, but it is not only reserved for the ballet-viewing elite. In fact, the opening Gala is the perfect night to get accustomed to Lincoln Center’s ballet. The event sets the stage for the approaching spring season, and this year it is all about newcomers. The theme, Architecture of Dance – New Choreography and Music Festival, is a celebration of new work. The performance will contains previews from the two opening performances of this year’s season: the Millepied ballet set to a commissioned score by French organist and composer Thierry Escaich and the Ratmansky ballet set to Edouard Lalo’s Namouna.

This spring at the New York City Ballet will include seven world premiere ballets and four commissioned scores. This season is expected to be especially visually stunning, for five of the seven ballets are accompanied by scenic designs by architect Santiago Calatrava, who serves as this year’s Honorary Chairman of the Gala with his wife Roberta. This evening marks the start of a season that brings the novel and the unknown to ballet virtuosos and rookies alike, so use the experience as a door into a new world yet to be explored.

If you just want a peek at what the next few months have to offer, you can purchase performance tickets for $20–$115. For a truly outstanding and glamorous evening you could splurge on tickets that include pre-show cocktails, the performance and a post-performance supper starting at $1,500. And if it’s the middle road you wish to take, the pre-performance cocktail and performance costs $250. The Gala is on April 29, 2010 and tickets can be purchased by calling 212-721-6500 or by visiting the online website at www.nycballet.com.