“Bolshoi†is Russian for “grand,†and it’s the perfect word to describe the upcoming 2008-2009 Carolina Performing Arts Series. The series will present 31 programs in 42 performances in its biggest season yet, including the regional debut of “Swan Lake†by Russia’s Bolshoi Ballet, performances by the Kirov Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic and the 50th anniversary celebration of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
Dance and theater performances by the Inbal Pinto Dance Company, Pilobolus, Compagnie Marie Chouinard , Compagnie Heddy Maalem, the Druid Theatre Company and Teatro De Ciertos Habitantes highlight UNC’s emphasis on globalization. Nations represented in the works, companies and artists in the upcoming series include Benin, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Mali, Mexico, Nigeria, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Spain and the United Kingdom.
Other performers include The Branford Marsalis Quartet, Jazz at Lincoln Center with Wynton Marsalis, Ornette Coleman, András Schiff, Aaron Neville, Hilary Hahn, Béla Fleck, Anne-Sophie Mutter, Mariza and the Vijay Iyer Trio.
Subscriptions to the series will be available May 18 and tickets to individual performances will be available July 1. Both can be purchased by phone at 843-3333, online at carolinaperformingarts.org, or by mailing the Memorial Hall Box Office, UNC-Chapel Hill, Campus Box 3276, Chapel Hill, N.C., 27599-3276.