Atlanta Ballet Presents Golden Hour, a Radiant Series of Spectacular Vignettes, on April 3-5
Friday, March 27th, 2026
Atlanta Ballet presents Golden Hour, a captivating mixed-repertory, at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre from April 3-5, 2026. The program features a dynamic collection of works from renowned choreographers Christopher Wheeldon, Yuri Possokhov and Val Caniparoli, as well as world premieres by Yuri Possokhov and Atlanta Ballet’s Choreographer-in-Residence Claudia Schreier.
“Golden Hour is a breathtaking showcase of Atlanta Ballet’s artistry, underscoring the company’s mastery of technically demanding choreography that mesmerizes and inspires our audiences,” said Atlanta Ballet Artistic Director Gennadi Nedvigin. “From the powerful solo of Caniparoli’s Aria to various pieces by the distinguished Yuri Possokhov and the Atlanta debuts of works from Christopher Wheeldon and a world premiere by Claudia Schreier, this program illuminates the versatility and depth of contemporary ballet.”
Golden Hour opens with the world premiere of You Dig by Atlanta Ballet Choreographer-in-Residence Claudia Schreier. Inspired by Julius Eastman’s music and poem Stay On It, You Dig represents a call to action, a praise of perseverance in the face of adversity and a joyful rebellion. The movement is carried by musical stylings of Julius Eastman, Chris Kallmyer, William Chapman Nyaho, Nkeiru Okoye, Christopher Rountree, Errollyn Wallen and Wild Up. Schreier, known for her previous Atlanta Ballet works including previous season’s The Rite of Spring, Carnivale, and First Impulse, partners with frequent collaborator, Abigail Dupree-Polston, to design the costumes.
Audience members will then be transported back to 1960s through the performance of Nighthawks and Lolita. Based on the 1964 short story The Swimmer by John Cheever, Nighthawks and Lolita are two short excerpts from Swimmer by Yuri Possokhov’s San Francisco Ballet’s choreographer-in-residence and the choreographer of Atlanta Ballet’s The Nutcracker. These pieces explore the spirit of era and emulate the experience of navigating life’s current and confronting fragments of memory as they suggest that we are all swimmers traveling through one another’s lives.
Between the two Possokhov pieces, Aria, a powerful solo by a masked male, dominates the stage showcasing pure athleticism through fluid movement. Accompanied by the melodies of George Frideric Handel, Val Caniparoli’s work is an expression of his integral relationship with music which reflects a deep engagement and disciplinary knowledge. Caniparoli is one of the most sought-after American choreographers, most closely associated with San Francisco Ballet, his artistic home for over five decades.
Following Lolita is Dunayevsky Pas de Deux, a world premiere by Yuri Possokhov, with live piano accompaniment by Atlanta Ballet’s Western-Li Summerton. Enriched by Isaak Dunayevsky’s score arranged by Ella Belilovskaya, Dunayevsky Pas de Deux elevates the soul as music and dance share the stage in harmonious collaboration. The upbeat piece allows dancers to demonstrate technical brilliance and charismatic stage presence.
Culminating the performance is Within the Golden Hour, the Atlanta debut of an abstract work by Artistic Associate of The Royal Ballet Christopher Wheeldon. Within the Golden Hour represents the peaceful moments of twilight through soft, warm light and flowing choreography. Backed by an elegant score by Ezio Boss and Antonio Vivaldi, this piece is meant to turn the audience’s gaze inward to find their own story.
For more information about Atlanta Ballet’s production of Golden Hour and to purchase tickets, please visit https://www.atlantaballet.com/performances . Tickets can be purchased online at atlantaballet.com or in person at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre box office. For groups of twenty or more, please order tickets via the groupsales@atlantaballet.com email.
