by Janine Parker When the “regional ballet” movement began in the United States, it was about more than geography: these fledgling companies had identities. Indeed, in 1965, when E. Virginia Williams’ New England Civic Ballet cast off its amateur status to become the Boston Ballet, much was made about its Yankee pride, frugality and grit, while
For its fall production, Boston Ballet presented a double bill at the Boston Opera House featuring Wayne McGregor’s Obsidian Tear and the premiere of Jorma Elo’s Fifth Symphony of Jean Sibelius. Both works were accompanied live by the Boston Ballet Orchestra, which began the evening by playing Sibelius’ Finlandia, a “symphonic poem” that is at