Golden Hour

Performance Details

  • When February 20-March 2, 2025
  • Choreography Mixed Repertory
  • Where Lyric Opera House

Bask in the glow of Golden Hour, a radiant mixed repertoire program of warmth and splendor.

The program features the world premiere of Dani Rowe's Princess and the Pea, a modern re-envisioning of the classic fairy tale with music by Jim Stephenson; Cathy Marston's Heimat, a glorious symphonic poem transformed to dance and composed by Richard Wagner; the return of audience favorite, Nicolas Blanc's Under the Trees' Voices, set to Ezio Bosso's Symphony No. 2.; and Andante, world premiere by choreographer of the critically acclaimed Anna Karenina, Yuri Possokhov.

About the Program

Princess and the Pea

Choreography: Dani Rowe | Music: Jim Stephenson

Heralded as a “choreographic storyteller,” Rowe’s artistic style has been described as “rich, flowing, and contemporary.” The Australian choreographer will present an adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s timeless fairy tale, 'Princess and the Pea', in a dynamic and modern re-envisioning.

Heimat

Choreography: Cathy Marston | Music: Richard Wagner

A dance interpretation of the symphonic poem 'Siegfried Idyll', composed by Wagner in Switzerland after the birth of his son, 'Heimat' paints a halcyon picture of a family in the Swiss countryside. Marston defines the German word “heimat” as the feeling of home, which is not necessarily where one lives or was born. Rather, it’s a term that suggests a place of spiritual and creative familiarity. Marston feels that “heimat” is a tender description of her personal feelings about Chicago and The Joffrey Ballet.

Under the Trees' Voices

Choreography: Nicholas Blanc | Music: Ezio Bosso

Under the Trees’ Voices examines the persistence of community and connection in the age of distance and isolation. Set to Symphony No. 2 by Bosso, Blanc’s choreography arose from his observations of the nuances of people’s temperaments during the Spring of 2020 as the weather became warmer and the chill of pandemic restrictions thawed. In four distinct sections, 'Under the Trees’ Voices' imagines a future of hope and unity, reminding us that we are better together than alone.

Andante

Choreography: Yuri Possokhov | Music: Dmitri Shostakovich

Frequent choreographer at the Joffrey, whose most recent productions include the critically acclaimed adaptation of 'Anna Karenina', in addition to 'The Miraculous Mandarin' and 'Don Quixote', returns for the 2024-2025 season with an intimate world premiere set on three dancers.

From the digital premiere of Nicolas Blanc's Under the Trees' Voices (2021)

Meet the Choreographers

Nicolas Blanc | Under the Trees' Voices

Nicolas Blac, Chicago-based choreographer and Rehearsal Director at The Joffrey Ballet, has created works for companies around the world, including New York City Ballet, Rome Opera Ballet, and San Francisco Ballet.

Cathy Marston | Heimat

Cathy Marston is an award-winning choreographer and Artistic Director of Ballett Zürich.

Yuri Possokhov | Andante

Yuri Possokhov is a renowned dancer and choreographer. He has created works for The Joffrey Ballet, The Australian Ballet, San Franciso Ballet, Royal Danish Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, among others.

Dani Rowe | Princess and the Pea

Choreographer Dani Rowe has created works for San Francisco Ballet, Nederlands Dans Theater, Royal New Zealand Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet, among others. She is the Artistic Director of Oregon Ballet Theatre.

Cathy Marston's 'Heimat', performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (2022)

Sponsorship

Sponsorship

'Under the Trees' Voices' Sponsor

  • Mary Jo and Doug Basler

'Princess and the Pea' Commissioning Sponsor

  • Mary Jo and Doug Basler