Boston Ballet Stages OBSIDIAN TEAR in London Today

Boston Ballet and The Royal Ballet have announced their first co-production, Obsidian Tear, choreographed by The Royal Ballet Resident Choreographer Wayne McGregor. Obsidian Tear, inspired by renowned Finnish composer Esa-Pekka Salonen's orchestral work Nyx, features an all-male cast. Salonen, who was recently named Composer in Residence with the New York Philharmonic, will make his Royal Ballet debut conducting the world premiere. The work will see its world premiere in London May 28, 2016, and its U.S. premiere in Boston Ballet's 2017-2018 season in Boston. In addition to the groundbreaking work Chroma-performed by Boston Ballet in 2013 and 2015 to critical acclaim with repeated standing ovations-Obsidian Tearwill be the second work of McGregor's in Boston Ballet's repertoire. After Boston Ballet's debut performance in Chroma, Thea Singer of the Boston Globe stated: "The Boston Ballet dancers astonish with their master of the choreography, contorting this way and that with remarkable intensity." McGregor will reveal additional plans for the world premiere and co-production at The Royal Opera House's Insights event on May 11, 2016, 2:15 pm EDT / 7:15 pm BST. The event will be live-streamed for viewers around the world to enjoy on The Royal Opera House YouTube Channel.

"I am honored and delighted that Boston Ballet is partnering with The Royal Ballet for this important co-production. We enjoyed a great working relationship with Monica Mason and I'm very happy to strengthen it further with Kevin O'Hare, and to partner with this iconic institution," states Mikko Nissinen, Boston Ballet Artistic Director. "Wayne McGregor is one of the most dynamic, exhilarating choreographers today, and his creation of a world premiere to a score by one of my national heroes, Esa-Pekka Salonen, is one of the most exciting things imaginable. The Royal Ballet is very fortunate to have this exceptional artist as their resident choreographer, and I look forward to bringing this work to Boston."

Kevin O'Hare, Director of The Royal Ballet, adds "It's very exciting to be partnering for the first time with Boston Ballet and a wonderful opportunity to collaborate with this world-renowned company. Wayne McGregor and Esa-Pekka are two of the most unique artists in their fields and Obsidian Tearpromises to be a thrilling work."

Obsidian Tear crafts the solitary despair of Salonen's Lachen Verlernt and the nihilistic symphonic grandeur of Nyx (inspired by the elusive Ancient Greek goddess of night) into a visceral exploration of myth and modernity. McGregor and Salonen are two of the foremost artistic geniuses working today. The New York Times remarks that McGregor is "doing some of the most exciting work on the planet" and The UK Times exclaims, "If any artist has defined the decade, it's Wayne McGregor."The set is designed by McGregor himself, with Katie Shillingford (Fashion Editor for Dazed and Confused Magazine and Fashion Director for AnOther Magazine) as Fashion Director, and lighting design by Lucy Carter, McGregor's long-term collaborator.

Obsidian Tear is made possible by the Boston Ballet Commissioners Circle: the Stephanie L. Brown Foundation, Andrea and Frederick Hoff, and Ruth and John Littlechild.

Choreography: Wayne McGregor

Music: Esa-Pekka Salonen

Set Designer: Wayne McGregor

Fashion Director: Katie Shillingford

Lighting Designer: Lucy Carter

About Boston Ballet

Since 1963, Boston Ballet's internationally acclaimed performances of classical, neo-classical, and contemporary ballets, combined with a dedication to world class dance education and community initiative programs, have made the institution a leader in its field, with a 52-year history of promoting excellence and access to dance.

Under the leadership of Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen and Executive Director Max Hodges, the Company maintains a diverse repertoire, ranging from full-length ballets to new works by some of today's finest choreographers. Boston Ballet's second company, Boston Ballet II, is comprised of dancers who gain experience by performing with the Company and independently, presenting special programs to audiences throughout the Northeast.

Programming for Boston Ballet's 2015-2016 season includes Third Symphony of Gustav Mahler: A Ballet by John Neumeier, making Boston Ballet the first North American Company to perform the work; captivating classical works such as John Cranko's Onegin and Mikko Nissinen's Swan Lake; masterpieces by world-renowned choreographers such as George Balanchine and 20th century masters Leonid Yakobson and Léonide Massine; and two highly anticipated world premieres by Karole Armitage and Yury Yanowsky.

Boston Ballet School, the official school of Boston Ballet, has a long-standing dedication to excellence and access. Led by Director Margaret Tracey, the School reaches more than 5,000 students (toddler to adult) each year through Boston Ballet School classes, the Summer Dance Workshop, Pre-professional Summer Dance Program and the Pre-Professional Training held at three studio locations in Boston, Newton, and Marblehead.

Boston Ballet's nationally-acclaimed education programs include Citydance, Adaptive Dance, and ECI On Location. The programs are offered in partnership with the Boston Public Schools and in communities throughout the city and region.

For more information, please visit www.bostonballet.org.

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