Solange is the first black woman to have a score commissioned by the New York City Ballet, after Lido Pimienta in 2021, and to say her family is proud of her, is an understatement.
According to The Cut the show opened with an excerpt of classic ballet, Symphony in C, by George Balanchine, before moving into the main event: Play Time, an exuberant piece choreographed by Gianna Reisen and set to music by Solange Knowles.
There to cheer Solange on was her sister Beyoncé accompanied by family matriarch Ms. Tina Knowles-Lawson. They slipped into the auditorium when the lights were down and slipped out right after, but when Solange took her bow, I’m pretty sure I saw their phones light up in a very cute “you’re doing great, sweetie” moment.
Well, Ms. Tina gave us the 411 on exactly what happened from her perspective.
On Instagram she wrote:
Night before last we witnessed Solange make history once again at the Lincoln Center in New York City!
Solange composed a beautiful musical piece for the New York City ballet it was played by the ballet’s Philharmonic orchestra! Me and Beyonce screamed our heads off never so proud of Solange you see when Solange was a little girl at one time she wanted to be a ballerina she was a very talented dancer at Miss Darlette dance studio in Houston.
And though she was not on that stage the night before last as a prima ballerina she was on that stage and took a bow ! the audience went crazy because it was literally so spectacular.
Solange attracts these once-in-a-lifetime opportunities because she believes that she has a right to occupy all of those spaces as a black woman she believes that she has a right to be anywhere that she is willing to do the work have the talent and hard work and tenacity and did she deliver?
Yes, she delivered it baby!!!
She collaborated with two incredibly talented people a choreographer and a designer the costumes the choreography the dancing it was all magical!!! Keep kicking down doors and creating opportunities for women of color !!! You are a friggin rockstar!!! A proud mama❤️❤️❤️impressed but not surprised!!❤️❤️ @darlettejohnsonbailey. Choreograph: Gianna Reisen. Designer : Alejandro Gomez
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Beyonce sent her congratualtions as well!
On Instagram she wrote:
My beloved sister, there are no words to express the pride and admiration I have for you. You are a visionary and one of one. Congratulations on being the first African American woman to compose for the New York City Ballet. The piece you composed is phenomenal. I love you deep.
Might I suggest you don’t f*** with my sis.
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Congrats Solo!!
