Birmingham Royal Ballet – Black Sabbath – The Ballet with Virginia Symphony Orchestra

Virginia Arts Festival presents the US PREMIERE of Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Black Sabbath – The Ballet, celebrating the iconic, Birmingham-born heavy metal band Black Sabbath. Featuring the band’s biggest hits in thrilling arrangements by Virginia Symphony Orchestra. Fusing the wild energy of a rock concert with the strength and grace of ballet, the new work debuted in Birmingham in 2023 to rave reviews. The ballet company’s artistic director Carlos Acosta noted “Black Sabbath is probably Birmingham’s biggest export, the most famous (and infamous) cultural entity to ever emerge from the city – so I was naturally drawn to the idea of a collaboration between what most people might think are the most unlikely of partners.” The creative team behind the new work includes some of the most influential artists today, including Swedish choreographer Pontus Lidburg. Tony-Award winning composer Christopher Austin conjured the score, which brings the raucous energy of heavy metal to the orchestra. A live guitarist performs on stage with the dancers. The lighting design, which summons the spectacle of an arena rock concert, is by Kieron Johnson.