It is not common for two ballets to be combined in one program. The Boston Ballet, though, does not shy away from the unconventional. For their spring performance of Carmen, the company includes both Carmen and Kingdom of the Shades in their 100-minute show, broken up by an intermission. Audience members get to experience the delicately controlled choreography of Kingdom of the Shades and the passionate drama of Carmen during their time at the Citizens Bank Opera House.
Jorma Elo, Boston Ballet’s resident choreographer, planned on staging his interpretation of Carmen, which the company first performed in 2006, once again in Spring 2020. However, this performance was unfortunately canceled due to the pandemic
The most striking difference between the two ballets is the range of motion. Kingdom of the Shades begins with the procession of the shades — 24 dancers in identical white tutus emerging from the wings of the stage. Their movements are graceful, yet sharp, and seeing them all move in such synchrony is incredible. Once all 24 dancers are on stage, they arrange themselves in lines and slowly extend into arabesques. This dance requires extreme technical skill and seemed like a painstaking ordeal at times. The audience could hear the squeaking of the ballet shoes and the slight shaking as the corps de ballet — the group of non-principal dancers performing as the shades — fought to keep their balance. One could only imagine the amount of preparation it took to perform such a notoriously difficult piece.
Carmen, on the other hand, is more free-spirited than Kingdom of the Shades. The lead of the ballet, Carmen herself, is a free-spirited woman who seduces the soldiers of Seville, Spain. Don José is particularly enamored by her and they dance across the stage in a romantic yet hesitant way. Carmen’s fiery character is shown through strong, expressive gestures and dynamic flirtations with Don José and Escamillo, the famous toreador she becomes involved with in Act II. Hues of red and purple fill the costumes and scenery of Carmen, further enhancing the sensuality of the ballet.
Boston Ballet took creative liberties with each ballet, adapting and omitting certain elements. Kingdom of the Shades is a scene from the full-length ballet La Bayadère, which they chose to perform for its beautiful choreography but separated from the rest of the historically problematic ballet.
In a statement on Kingdom of the Shades, the Boston Ballet explains why they are not presenting the full ballet: “We recognize its problematic storyline and strongly disagree with its appropriation of South Asian culture. The Company needs to preserve the best of classical choreography without perpetuating culturally insensitive and offensive portrayals.” The dance is set to music by Rodion Shchedrin, composed after George Bizet’s original score and performed by the Boston Ballet Orchestra.
Alongside the 24 shades, dancers Ji Young Chae and Jeffrey Cirio were an impressive duo throughout Kingdom of the Shades. Lia Cirio was an exceptional Carmen and stayed true to the role with her movements and expressions. Yue Shi as Don José and Lasha Khozashvili as Escamillo were particularly captivating as Carmen’s love interests as well. The performers of Carmen and Kingdom of the Shades brought talent and excitement to the stage.
Boston Ballet’s Carmen will be on stage at the Citizens Bank Opera House until Sunday. Youth under 20 years of age get tickets at a 50% discount to select dates and sections of all programs.
