The Mark Morris Dance Group has announced a new production based on a seventh-century Persian love story.

Despite several precedents in Mr. Morris’s work – his enthusiasm for Asian forms goes back to his earliest days in dance – this is a departure for him, since it couples a story unfamiliar to many Westerners with unfamiliar accompaniment. In the company’s announcement on Tuesday, Mr. Morris said: “The music for ‘Layla and Majnun’ is unusual for its profound depth of sorrow and ecstasy. The mugham style is a thrilling and rare glimpse into old Azerbaijani culture. Love, acceptance, devotion and peace are the ruling esthetics of this production."