Dance Film Sunday Presents George Balanchine’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream Performed by the Paris Opera Ballet

2:00 pm | 2 hrs | $12/$10 members/$6 for children 12 and under

Paris Opera Ballet gives a French twist to one of the few narrative ballets in the Balanchine canon, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Inspired by the whimsy of William Shakespeare’s plot and characters and Felix Mendelssohn-Barthholdy’s lush music, George Balanchine choreographed this 2-act fantasia as a showcase for the leading artists at New York City Ballet. Debuted in 1962, A Midsummer Night’s Dream became a repertory staple and has never waned in popularity. The beguiling production, danced by the etoiles, premiers danseurs, and corps de ballet of the Paris Opera Ballet with the participation of the Paris Opera Ballet School, has been given a fresh look with sets and costumes by Christian Lacroix. It was captured at the Bastille Opera in March, 2017.

The Paris Opera Ballet mounting of A Midsummer Night’s Dream was commissioned by Benjamin Millepied, who had performed the role of Oberon while at New York City Ballet, but the final realization was produced under the supervision of Aurélie Dupont the new Directrice of Dance. The production also features the Paris Opera Orchestra and Chorus.

Christian Lacroix, once known for his haute couture and now as costume designer in great demand, was given the task of following Balanchine’s original specifications on costume design plus add a layer of opulence. Nearly 200 costumes were created to fulfill the order, most of them abundantly decorated with Swarovski crystals. Sophie Hallette, the French lace-maker, provided embroidered snow white and “bonbon pink” floral lace as well as lace in iridescent metallic colors. Paris Opera Ballet in George Balanchine’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a visual, aural, and kinesthetic feast.