The Kennedy Center presents New York City Ballet in Two Programs of Repertory, 6/6-11, 2017

Returning to the Opera House stage for their annual engagement, New York City Ballet (NYCB) brings two dynamic and vibrant programs of repertory, June 6-11, including four D.C. premieres by some of today's most innovative choreographers-Justin Peck, Alexei Ratmansky, and Christopher Wheeldon-along with classic works by George Balanchine. All performances will be accompanied by the New York City Ballet Orchestra.

With two D.C. premieres, the first program includes NYCB Resident Choreographer and Soloist Justin Peck's Rodeo: Four Dance Episodes, which employs Aaron Copland's well known Americana score that pairs a lone woman with a cast of 15 male dancers, and Alexei Ratmansky's newest work, Odessa, which premiered in New York on May 4, 2017, and is set to music by the Russian contemporary composer Leonid Desyatnikov. Two works by NYCB's legendary co-founder George Balanchine also round out the program: Square Dance, a high-spirited piece that blends the traditions of American folk dance with classical ballet set to music by Antonio Vivaldi and Arcangelo Corelli, and Tarantella, set to a sprightly score composed by Louis Moreau Gottschalk showcasing two virtuosic dancers in a racing and energetic pas de deux.

Also featuring two D.C. premieres, the second program includes Christopher Wheeldon's American Rhapsody, his latest NYCB creation following the recent Broadway success of his Tony Award-winning musical An American in Paris, set to George Gershwin's popular Rhapsody in Blue. A new work by Justin Peck will also make its D.C. premiere and will be announced at a later date. Additionally, the program includes Balanchine's masterpiece The Four Temperaments set to a Paul Hindemith score.

New York City Ballet is one of the foremost dance companies in the world, with a roster of more than 90 dancers and an unparalleled repertory of modern masterpieces. The Company was founded in 1948 by the legendary choreographer George Balanchine and arts patron Lincoln Kirstein, and quickly became world-renowned for its athletic, contemporary style and a repertory of original ballets that has forever changed the face of classical dance. Now under the direction of Ballet Master in Chief Peter Martins and Executive Director Katherine Brown, NYCB is committed to promoting creative excellence and nurturing a new generation of dancers and choreographers.

Tickets start at $29. Tickets can be purchased at the Kennedy Center Box Office, online, or by calling Instant-Charge at (202) 467-4600. Patrons living outside the Washington metropolitan area may dial toll-free at (800) 444-1324. For all other ticket-related customer service inquiries, call the Advance Sales Box Office at (202) 416-8540.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

New York City Ballet
Peter Martins, Ballet Master in Chief

with the New York City Ballet Orchestra

WORKS BY BALANCHINE, PECK, & RATMANSKY

Square Dance (Antonio Vivaldi and Arcangelo Corelli/George Balanchine)

Odessa (Leonid Desyatnikov/Alexei Ratmansky)*

Tarantella (Louis Moreau Gottschalk, orch. by Hershy Kay/George Balanchine)

Rodeo: Four Dance Episodes (Aaron Copland/Justin Peck)*

Tuesday, June 6 at 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, June 7 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 10 at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 11 at 1:30 p.m.

* D.C. PREMIERE

WORKS BY BALANCHINE, PECK, & WHEELDON

A new work by Justin Peck*

The Four Temperaments (Paul Hindemith/George Balanchine)

American Rhapsody (George Gershwin/Christopher Wheeldon)*

Thursday, June 8 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, June 9 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 10 at 1:30 p.m.

* D.C. PREMIERE

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