Coming to the ballet: Balanchine, world premieres

Hot off its planned tour of Spain in the fall, Boston Ballet will open its 2007-08 season with a program featuring Sorella Englund's staging of "La Sylphide" alongside two short pieces choreographed by the late George Balanchine.

In March, the ballet's "Next Generation" program will feature three world premieres, all by choreographers with longstanding relationships with artistic director Mikko Nissinen.

Besides "La Sylphide," the season includes three other full-length ballets: "The Nutcracker," a staging of "Romeo and Juliet," and, in May, Marius Petipa's "La Bayadère."

The latter production, in particular, should stun audiences, says Nissinen.

At one point "the leading character smokes opium and begins to see these visions and the girls come down on the ramp, 24 of them in all," says Nissinen. "It's sort of really like a dream, a vision, and in the beginning it's a little bit slow paced, but it just elevates spiritually, and it's really heart-stoppingly beautiful."

The season officially kicks off Oct. 12 with the ballet's annual gala, in which various members of the company perform short works and excerpts. On Oct. 18, the first program begins, with "La Sylphide" and Balanchine's "Monumentum pro Gesualdo' ' and "Movements for Piano and Orchestra."

"The Nutcracker" begins its month-long run on Nov. 29, and "Romeo and Juliet," choreographed by the late John Cranko , runs in February through March 2. The "Next Generation" program, also in March, features world premieres from resident choreographer Jorma Elo, Helen Pickett, and Boston Ballet soloist Heather Myers -- along with the company premiere of Sabrina Matthews's "Ein von Viel." Nissinen gave all four choreographers their first commissions, some when he was at the Alberta Ballet in Calgary.

After "La Bayadère, running May 1-11, the company wraps its season with "Dark Elegies," a company premiere of Anthony Tudor's production.

Nissinen was also planning to present Jiri Kylián's "Petite Mort" during that final program, but learned, two weeks ago, that the equipment needed for the staging was not available. He will know within a month which two works will be presented along with "Dark Elegies."

"The whole evening has to have a certain harmony and art , so I'm commited to finding an amazing contemporary piece for that evening," said Nissinen.

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