Black and White

Black and White, a program by Jiří Kylián, one of the world’s most fascinating and celebrated choreographers, returns to Boston Ballet for a second season in an unprecedented move by Nissinen. The five-ballet program made its Boston premiere in February 2009, providing audiences with a view into Kylián’s unique and potent vision. Black and White made company history by exceeding sales goals a day before opening and making Boston Ballet the first company outside the Nederlands Dans Theater to perform the full program. Dance critic Thomas Garvey wrote, Black and White was “a triumph; a must-see; a dance that brings the audience to its feet, cheering. And then sets the crowd to thinking.” Black and White includes a dynamic range of works. No More Play, a study in contrasts, is at once somber and light, engaging and introspective. Petite Mort, a visual stunner, incorporates artistic swordplay set to Mozart. Sarabande, a powerful work for ten men, and Falling Angels, a mesmerizing, patterned dance for women balance each other. Sechs Tänze, a light, madcap romp concludes the evening with energy and Kylián’s unique wit. The Phoenix raved, saying “the energy was palpable everywhere. The [theater] was full and the curtain calls were enthusiastic. So much for the notion that Boston is interested only in classical story ballets.”