Singer-songwriter, actress, philanthropist and now composer Solange Knowles composed an original score for the New York City Ballet, which will be performed at their 10th Anniversary of the Fall Fashion Gala.
Gianna Reisen will choreograph the performance, and “frequent music collaborators” of the singer along with the New York City Ballet Orchestra will perform the piece.
?very excited to announce i’ve composed an original score for the New York City Ballet ? choreography by Gianna Reisen , score performed by the City Ballet Orchestra + soloist from my ensemble ?
Shows : October 1, 8, 11, 16
May 2, 11, 13, 17, 18th at Lincoln Center pic.twitter.com/F0TvxzObDX— solange knowles (@solangeknowles) August 16, 2022
Not only is this the 36-year-old performer’s first time composing a piece for a performance, but she’s also making history as the first Black woman to curate a score for the NYC ballet, according to NBC News.
Knowles was always known as the younger sister of Beyoncé. However, she began making a name for herself by writing and performing songs that empowered Black women like “Don’t Touch My Hair” and “Cranes in the Sky.”
After the Fashion Gala performance, the production will be available at a lesser price of $38 and shown at the Lincoln Center on October 1, 8, 11, and 16 and next year on May 2, 11, 13, 17, and 18.
Beyoncé hasn’t said anything yet, but many fans took to Twitter to express their excitement for the singer.
me sneaking backstage of the ballet to meet Solange pic.twitter.com/KJAj5iffrr
— choya (@mayonsounds) August 16, 2022
Fellow Blacks, what day(s) are we going to see Solange’s NYC Ballet shows?
— Charlamagay (@writelikeryan) August 17, 2022
One and done ain’t gon’ cut it.
So many ? composers in the world who aren’t cishet white dudes.https://t.co/J3Qvdu7V0e
— A Shady Dame From Seville (@SorayaMcDonald) August 17, 2022
Solange scoring a ballet?? Yes please.
— Kay. (@kenyazakiya) August 17, 2022
As an avid ballet and Solange lover, I am fucking thrilled https://t.co/BypNNTByH3
— jen is writing a romance novel (@darlinginmyway) August 17, 2022
Now that Solange is the first Black woman to have a composition danced by NYC Ballet, it’s incumbent upon the company to continue to right this embarrassment by ensuring there are more in her wake.
And they needn’t have the same level of celebrity, either.
— A Shady Dame From Seville (@SorayaMcDonald) August 17, 2022
