Billy Wilson and The Winter in Lisbon 

The Winter in Lisbon was the last ballet Billy Wilson choreographed.  Created in 1992, the ballet pays tribute to four decades worth of music created by Dizzy Gillespie, an American jazz musician and composer.  Notably, Billy Wilson’s personal life was incredibly turbulent at the time.  The success and talent showcased in the ballet demonstrates his strength and commitment to excellence despite life’s challenges. Judith Jamison named the ballet to be included in her favorite ballets when she was honored at the New York City Center.  

 

 

Sources: 

The Winter in Lisbon, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater 
The Winter in Lisbon (1922 / New Production – 2016) 

 

 

 

More about The Winter in Lisbon

The Winter in Lisbon is a high energy ballet that showcases Billy Wilson’s ability to merge his ballet and modern dance backgrounds.  The DC Metro Theater Arts described the ballet: “The Winter in Lisbon sparkled… sultry and slinky, snazzy and cool, and all-around lowdown and hot. Dancer slid and rolled through easy going pirouettes, fan kicks, and hip thrusting turns… Both sexy and fun, it showed off easy virtuosity.”  The ballet features bright colored, beautiful costumes, and gives the audience an impression of a party onstage.  Furthermore, the ballet combines styles of modern dance, jazz, and ballet.

The ballet’s opening starts with a turquoise mist in which women, clad in high heels and vibrant dresses, set the mood dancing with their partners in a series of high kicks and turns.  The middle section features what the New York Times describes as “an ordinary blues love duet… suddenly [turned] poignant.”  The finale features eight couples dancing in a combination that “might make you want to dance as well.”

 

Sources:

Review/Dance; An Ailey Tribute to Dizzy Gillespie, The New York Times
DANCE REVIEW : ‘Mnemonic Verses’: Soft-Core Sensuality, Los Angeles Times

 

Anna Owens