American Ballet Theatre

ARAB WORLD PREMIERE

Overview

One of the world's most celebrated dance companies returns to Abu Dhabi with an extraordinary programme that celebrates the richness and evolution of ballet, from the elegance of the classical tradition to the poetic imagination of contemporary choreography. Bringing together three landmark works, the evening highlights the remarkable versatility, artistry and technical brilliance of American Ballet Theatre's dancers.

The programme opens with Frederick Ashton's radiant Birthday Offering, a luminous tribute to the classical ballerina set to Alexander Glazunov's sparkling score. Originally created to celebrate the 25^th anniversary of the Sadler's Wells Ballet, the work remains one of the twentieth century's finest expressions of classical elegance and choreographic musicality.

It is followed by Nuages, a new commission by the legendary Jiří Kylián, inspired by Claude Debussy's evocative music. Dreamlike and deeply atmospheric, the work reflects Kylián's singular ability to unite poetic imagery with expressive movement, adding a compelling contemporary voice to the evening.

The programme concludes with the magnificent Paquita, staged by Natalia Makarova after Marius Petipa. Renowned for its regal style, brilliant ensemble work, and dazzling Grand Pas Classique, this enduring masterpiece offers a spectacular finale and a glorious celebration of American Ballet Theatre's distinguished classical tradition.

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PROGRAMME

Birthday Offering

Choreography by Frederick Ashton (1904–1988)

Music by Alexander Glazunov

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Nuages

Choreography by Jiří Kylián (B. 1947)

Music by Claude Debussy

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Trio Élégiaque

Choreography by Brady Farrar (B. 2005)

Music by Sergei Rachmaninoff

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Paquita

Choreography by Natalia Makarova (B. 1940) after Marius Petipa (1818–1910)

Music by Ludwig Minkus

ARTISTS

American Ballet Theatre

American Ballet Theatre (ABT) is recognised as one of the great dance companies in the world. Few ballet companies equal ABT for its combination of size, scope and outreach. Founded in 1940, ABT is the only major cultural institution that annually tours the United States, performing for more than 300,000 people. The company has also made more than 30 international tours to 45 countries as perhaps the most representative American ballet company and has been sponsored by the United States Department of State on many of these engagements.

When ABT was launched, the aim was to develop a repertoire of the best ballets from the past and to encourage the creation of new works by gifted young choreographers, wherever they might be found. Under the direction of Lucia Chase and Oliver Smith from 1945 to 1980, the company more than fulfilled that mission. Perhaps unmatched in the history of ballet, ABT’s repertoire includes beloved full-length classics from the 19^th century, such as Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty and Giselle; many of the finest works from the 20^th century, including Apollo, Les Sylphides, Jardin aux Lilas, Fancy Free, Rodeo, Airs, Push Comes to Shove and In the Upper Room; and acclaimed contemporary masterpieces, including Shostakovich Trilogy and Serenade after Plato’s Symposium. Throughout the curation of this repertoire, ABT has commissioned works by celebrated choreographers of the 20^th and 21^st centuries: George Balanchine, Antony Tudor, Jerome Robbins, Agnes de Mille, Twyla Tharp, Mark Morris, Alexei Ratmansky and Christopher Wheeldon, among others.

In 1980, Mikhail Baryshnikov became Artistic Director of American Ballet Theatre. Under his leadership, numerous classical ballets were staged, restaged and refurbished and the company experienced a strengthening and refining of the classical tradition. In 1990, Jane Hermann and Oliver Smith succeeded Baryshnikov and immediately established an agenda that was dedicated to maintaining the great traditions of the past while pursuing a vital and innovative future.

In October 1992, the former American Ballet Theatre principal dancer Kevin McKenzie was appointed Artistic Director. McKenzie, steadfast in his vision of ABT as American, was committed to maintaining the company’s vast repertoire and to bringing the art of dance theatre to the great stages of the world.

Former American Ballet Theatre principal dancer Susan Jaffe was named Artistic Director in December 2022. Jaffe is dedicated to preserving the beauty and depth of classical ballet while moving the company artistically into the future, expanding ABT’s audience and exploring diverse choreographers and styles.

In keeping with ABT’s long-standing commitment to bringing the finest in dance to the widest international audience, the company has recently enjoyed triumphant successes with engagements in Abu Dhabi, Brisbane, Paris, Muscat, Shanghai and Seoul. On 27 April 2006, the United States Congress honoured ABT by recognising its service as ‘America’s National Ballet Company’.