Boston Ballet’s opening night of Le Corsaire Thursday, October 27, 2016 was phenomenal!! And good news, Le Corsaire is still at the Boston Opera House through November 6, 2016 so there is time to enjoy one of the most delightful, joyful and uplifting experiences ever!! The Boston Ballet truly shines with Le Corsaire!!
As Mikko Nissinen, artistic director of the Boston Ballet says, “Great dance will take you on an emotional journey and recharge your spirit.” And Le Corsaire achieves not only that, but much more!! He said he was glad to see Le Corsaire in Boston. With a winning performance in every way – the Boston Ballet Le Corsaire was “en pointe” – from the delicious, soft and sweet pastel colors of the costumes to the detailed and lavish background and sets to the meticulous choreography, and a sparkling score! The dancing was superb and it was clear to see the many hours of dedication, hard work and immense preparation.
Photo Credit: Liza Voll, courtesy of Boston Ballet
Le Corsaire originally premiered for the first time on January 23, 1856 at Théâtre Impérial de l’Opéra in Paris, France. It is a beautiful ballet typically presented in three acts, with a libretto originally created by Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges and loosely based on The Corsair by Lord Byron published in 1814. Le Corsaire, the ballet is known to be, “the story of the beautiful maiden Medora, a wealthy Pasha determined to add her to his harem, and a dashing pirate Conrad, even more resolved to save her.” For this Boston production the music is by Adolphe Adam, Léo Delibes, Cesare Pugni, Riccardo Drigo, Prinz von Oldenburg and choreography by Ivan Liška and the legend Marius Petipa (1818–1910), the most influential ballet master and choreographer of classical ballet in the history of ballet. During his long career as Premier maitre de ballet (First Ballet Master) of the St. Petersburg Imperial Theatres, Marius Petipa created over fifty ballets and he revived a substantial number of works created by other choreographers. Many of these revivals would go on to become the definitive editions on which all subsequent productions would be based. The most famous of these revivals were Le Corsaire, Giselle, La Esmeralda, and one of my favorite ballets of all time, Coppélia, among others. Today, all modern productions of Le Corsaire are derived from the revivals staged by Marius Petipa for the Imperial Ballet of St. Petersburg throughout the mid to late 19th century.
It was a great privilege to experience the Boston Ballet’s Le Corsaire. As artistic director, Mikko Nissinen proudly asserts, “Le Corsaire offers an incredible opportunity for some spectacular dancing.” And agreed! The dancing was and is divine! And what a genuine gift for ballet enthusiasts – Ivan Liška gracefully achieved his intention and reached his goal to maintain the artistic and historical integrity as he honored and imagined Marius Petipa right there along the journey while in the studio and yes, as he said, “The form must be stylized, but the emotion must be true.” Achieving that balance between artistic and historical accuracy and creative expression to communicate adventure, passion and romance is something that only an artistic genius could achieve so Bravo to Ivan Liška and Congratulations the Boston Ballet and Mikko Nissinen! Look forward to a spectacular season and magnificent year for the Boston Ballet!!
After the performance, family, friends, and ballet benefactors, all went to the Ritz Carlton, located at the Boston Common where there was food, music and merriment! The opening night celebration party was filled with fun and plenty of smiles. Looking ahead, please note that the Nutcracker Ballet begins at the end of November 2016 and the Boston Ballet Ball is scheduled to be on February 4, 2017 and will take place at the Park Plaza. The Boston Ballet Ball is the largest fundraising event of the year and will be hosted by Co-Chairs Alison Quirk and Hannah Groves from State Street. For now, join the Boston Ballet and help them as they start of a new season with Le Corsaire! To participate and support the Boston Ballet and for more information about tickets for Le Corsaire, go to www.bostonballet.org. For those interested in sponsorship opportunities, contact Linda Jones, Director of Partnerships and Events, 617.456.6352.
Photo Credit: Igor Burlak, courtesy of Boston Ballet
Photo Credit: Igor Burlak, courtesy of Boston Ballet
Photo Credit: Igor Burlak, courtesy of Boston Ballet 
Photo Credit: Igor Burlak, courtesy of Boston Ballet 
Photo Credit: Igor Burlak, courtesy of Boston Ballet 
Photo Credit: Igor Burlak, courtesy of Boston Ballet
