Ratmansky's Exquisite Pastoral Prelude
American Ballet Artist in Residence Alexei Ratmanksy invites the audience on a sunny stroll through the inviting climes of Bukovina, a historical European region on the northern slopes of the Carpathians. Having enjoyed its critically acclaimed world premiere in 2017, the pastoral prelude returns with its joyful village festival setting and effervescent folk-inspired choreography.
Set to the music of Russian film composer Leonid Desyatnikov, Songs of Bukovina conjures the luminous sun and fresh mountain air of its setting, in which five couples adorned in ribbons, aprons and braids dance through a collection of episodic stories. Filled with Ratmansky's trademark fluid yet intricate style and a choreographic language rich in emotion, color, meaning and purpose, this Dances At A Gathering-esque piece heralds the arrival of a new ballet master with a bright future ahead.