There were moments when the audience held its breath, laughed and sighed with delight–and rightfully so. "Next Generation," the Boston Ballet’s showcase of young choreographers that ran this past weekend, was truly a marvel. Combining modern and classical elements fluidly, it broke the boundaries of contemporary ballet. Sissones and demi grands were deconstructed, built again, and made new...

 

Sabrina Matthews’ choreography was also intensely aware of the creative process. Her piece, entitled "ein von viel"–which translates to "one of many"–was a male duet set to selections from J.S. Bach’s "The Goldberg Variations." The use of an onstage pianist, Freda Locker, was successful; the dancers incorporated but never overshadowed her playing. During brief moments of silence, they would subtly communicate with a nod of the head or a shared sense of timing.

 

The dancers were the stars. John Lam and James Whiteside leaped in stunning muscularity. Every part of the choreography was performed emphatically. In the middle of the piece, the two men unassumingly walked toward the piano. At that moment the simplicity of their white garments, the lighting, and the absence of a set contrasted with the difficulty of the dancers’ feats, underscoring the convergence of the secular and sublime in ballet...

 

"I believe that art is a window into the future," artistic director Mikko Ninssinen declares. If what Nissinen says is true, then the Boston Ballet’s "Next Generation" is flinging open the glass and letting in the fresh air.