Tuesday, August 16, 2022

Solange Knowles to be the First Black Woman to Compose Music for New York City Ballet

beyRaph_PHCC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The artist once known best as Beyoncé's little sister, Solange Knolwes, continues to prove that while she may never equal her older sibling's acclaim as a singer — her considerable talents behind the mic and beyond, place her among the most exciting performers working today.

Knowles' — who went from being an occasional backup dancer for the Beyoncé-fronted girl group Destiny's Child to a Grammy Award-winning R&B singer — latest venture is writing a score for a New York City Ballet production.

She announced the collaboration on her official Instagram account Tuesday.

"🖤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 and soloist from my ensemble," Knowles wrote.


The NYCB confirmed the news on its Facebook page.

"Multi-hyphenate recording artist Solange Knowles will foray into ballet for the first time, composing a score for Gianna Reisen's 2022 Fall Gala world premiere," it posted. 


It is not the first time the 36-year-old singer-songwriter has spread her wings artistically beyond music. She has also worked as an actress, and in recent years ventured into performance art.

"I’m not at all interested in entertainment," she told Surface magazine —during a discussion about her artistic ambitions — in a 2018 interview. "I’m really interested in energy exchange between the viewer and the performer. One way to do that is to make an inclusive experience through style, through energy, through space." 

Knowles has debuted performance art pieces around the globe, including putting on shows at Germany's famed Elbphilharmonie (Witness!) concert hall and Los Angeles' Getty Museum (Bridge-s). 

After its premiere during NCYB’s annual Fashion Gala on Sept. 28., the production will be staged later this year on Oct. 1, 8, 11 and 16. It will also return for five performances during the Company’s 2023 Spring Season on May 2, 11, 13, 17 and 18.

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