Skip to main content

Soraya Stories

Director Selects: Hope Boykin and Chris Rountree Unite with Leonard Bernstein for World Premiere

By Thor Steingraber

The Soraya is known nationally as a site for the creation of new works. Our role in nurturing the creative processes of leading composers and choreographers sets us apart.

As part of The Soraya’s 15th anniversary celebration, October 4 will be a high water mark when we launch the Martha Graham Dance Company’s 100th season with the premiere of a new work that brings together Leonard Bernstein and Martha Graham for the first time.

More than 30 years after their deaths, a sketch of two interwoven musical themes by Bernstein was discovered in their late-life correspondence, the inspiration for a ballet that never came to fruition…until now.

The historic occasion will be led by choreographer Hope Boykin and composer/conductor Chris Rountree. They describe the complexities and aspirations for the project in this bonus edition of Director Selects, for which we have edited together their interviews. Earlier this summer, Graham Artistic Director Janet Eilber also shared insights about the project.

Music and dance aficionados alike will not want to miss the new Bernstein/Graham piece, titled En Masse, which will appear alongside two other important works on Oct. 4.

Gratefully,

Thor Steingraber Signature

Buy Tickets

Upcoming Performances

Fly Me to the Moon
A Tribute to Quincy Jones

Fly Me to the Moon
A Tribute to Quincy Jones

Sat Oct 18 | 8PM
Lila Downs
Día de Muertos

Lila Downs
Día de Muertos

Fri Oct 24 | 8PM
Colburn Orchestra

Colburn Orchestra

Sun Oct 26 | 3PM

Get Ahead of the Crowd.

Sign up below to be the first to find out about upcoming concerts, on sale dates, and presales.

Join the mailing list