What is the title of Paul McCartney's ballet score that premiered in 2011?

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Paul McCartney’s ballet score that premiered in 2011 was *Ocean’s Kingdom*.

The work was commissioned by the New York City Ballet and choreographed by the company’s artistic director, Peter Martins. Its world premiere took place at the company’s Fall Gala on September 22, 2011, at the David H. Koch Theater in New York’s Lincoln Center.

The story contrasts an underwater realm ruled by King Ocean with an earthly kingdom led by King Terra. The plot follows Princess Honorata and Prince Stone, whose relationship develops amid rivalry, kidnapping, betrayal and escape. McCartney’s music is arranged as four orchestral movements: “Ocean’s Kingdom,” “Hall of Dance,” “Imprisonment” and “Moonrise.”

A common mix-up is treating the title as only an album name. *Ocean’s Kingdom* is both the ballet and its score, while the recording was released as a classical album in October 2011. The album was conducted by John Wilson and performed by the London Classical Orchestra.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Sept. 2026

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