New Tharp Ballet For ABT

Dance

By ERICA ORDEN
October 30, 2007

American Ballet Theatre's spring season at the Metropolitan Opera House will include a new work by choreographer Twyla Tharp, the company announced yesterday. Ms. Tharp has choreographed 15 pieces for ABT. Her most recent ballet for the company, "The Brahms-Haydn Variations," was in 2000.

Ms. Tharp's new ballet, which will receive its world premiere on June 3, will be set to a commissioned score by Danny Elfman, known primarily for his compositions for film and television, including scores for "Chicago," "Edward Scissorhands," and "The Simpsons." It will mark Mr. Elfman's first composition for ballet. The piece will also feature costumes by fashion designer Norma Kamali.

ABT's spring season will also feature two revival premieres. Harald Lander's "Études," set to music by Knudaage Riisager, after Carl Czerny, will be presented alongside the new Tharp work. ABT last performed this work in 2000. Ronald Hynd's "The Merry Widow," which was last performed in 2002, will also be revived.

The company will also present six full-length ballets, including "Le Corsaire," "Swan Lake," "Don Quixote," "La Bayadère," and "Giselle." Principal dancer Nina Ananiashvili will be returning to the stage and will lead the cast of "Giselle," partnered by Angel Corella. The company's 2007 version of "The Sleeping Beauty," staged by Gelsey Kirkland, will return for eight performances beginning June 16.

The spring gala will take place on Monday, May 19, at 6:30 p.m. Arrangements for the gala can be made by calling the special events office at 212-477-3030, ext. 3239. Subscription tickets for the spring season are on sale now by phone at 212-362-6000, or online at www.abt.org.