Chopin: Dances for Piano at Peter Jay Sharp Building

Frédéric Chopin (1810—49) composed some of Western history’s most intimately romantic music, exquisite works that have served as the inspiration for countless choreographers. In this mixed program, the Mariinsky Ballet convenes three dances from distinct eras set to his piano music, performed live.

Michel Fokine’s ethereal Chopiniana (1908), one of the oldest works in the Mariinsky repertory, embodies the soul of classical ballet. Jerome Robbins’ ballet In the Night (1970), set to a slate of nocturnes, captures three couples in varying emotional states. And Benjamin Millepied (L.A. Dance Project, 2014 Next Wave)—inspired by his early exposure to Chopin’s preludes and études as a young dancer—expresses the music’s timelessness and passion in Without (2011), performed by 10 dancers.