WATCH THE DOCUSERIES

In a piece led by artist and choreographer NANINE LINNING, Boston Ballet sheds light on the importance of ocean preservation. Together, with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), we believe that the creative drive inherent in both the arts and sciences to learn more about the world around us can be the basis for positive change worldwide. The goal of the ballet is to inspire curiosity about our shared ocean planet and to raise hope for a sustainable future for all.

BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN SCIENCE AND CREATIVE PROCESSES

Boston Ballet and WOODS HOLE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTION (WHOI) have joined forces to collaborate on Nanine Linning’s upcoming world premiere, La Mer, a contemporary ballet that explores the nature of threats facing the ocean, as well as the potential in the ocean to create solutions to our most challenging environmental and societal problems.

“This collaboration with Boston Ballet, where we could bring in an extraordinary team of artists and collaborate with scientists who give our work extra dimension and context has been incredible. I have been amazed by the dancer’s transformation from classical dancing to my work as a contemporary choreographer. I feel that they are so eager and hungry for co-creation, co-ownership, and discovering together, that it’s been so smooth, warm, and energizing,” said Linning.

AN EXTRAORDINARY TEAM OF INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS 

Featuring dramaturg PEGGY OLISLAEGERS, YUIMA NAKAZATO, haute couture designer from Tokyo who presents annually at Paris Fashion Week, HELEEN BLANKEN, a visual scenographer based in Amsterdam, and composer YANNIS KYRIAKIDES, who works with some of the best orchestras and choirs in the world. This team also includes Boston Ballet’s acclaimed Lighting Designer BRANDON STIRLING BAKER and Technical Director and Stage Designer Benjamin Phillips.

La Mer is set to CLAUDE DEBUSSY’s sweeping La Mer and choral work Sirènes. Performed live by the BOSTON BALLET ORCHESTRA and Boston’s virtuosic women’s vocal group LORELEI ENSEMBLE, the ballet will be punctuated by newly created musical compositions by composer Yannis Kyriakides.

Watch the trailer to get a glimpse of what’s in store with this new and insightful contemporary work, shedding light on the importance of ocean preservation.