The New York City Ballet

Calatrava, who is best known for his acclaimed bridges, transportation centers and educational buildings, agreed to create scenic designs for five of the company’s new productions after receiving a personal invitation from NYCB Ballet Master, Peter Martins. Not only are these the first stage designs that the celebrated architect has ever conceived, but he is also the only architect besides Philip Johnson (1981) to receive such an honor. The new season, appropriately titled, Architecture of Dance – New Choreography and Music Festival, will feature seven world premiere ballets and four commissioned scores, all dedicated to the 50th anniversary of Lincoln Center of the Performing Arts.

Among the five choreographers that Calatrava collaborated with is Benjamin Millepied, whose production is scheduled to debut during Thursday’s Opening Gala. Millepied’s Ballet will feature a Calatrava-designed, multi-functional environment, which uniquely illustrates the architect’s reoccurring theme of movement and flight. Calatrava’s scenic designs will also appear in world premiere ballets choreographed by Melissa Barak, Mauro Bigonzetti, Christopher Wheeldon and Peter Martins. To ensure that his concept aligned with their productions, Calatrava met with each of the five choreographers to discuss their visions and artistic styles.

“I was deeply honored when Peter Martins approached me with this opportunity,” said architect, engineer and designer, Santiago Calatrava. “As an architect, I have always studied and sought inspiration from movement and the human body. To me, there is no muse greater than a dancer. It is my sincere hope that my scenic designs truly express the choreographers’ visions.”