Concerto Barocco - choreographed by George Balanchine, Music: J.S. Bach
Sarabande - choreographed by Benjamin Millepied, Music: J.S. Bach
Grosse Fugue - choreographed by Maguy Marin, Music: Beethoven
This Part in Darkness - choreographed by Benjamin Millepied, Music by David Lang
One of the two top ballet companies in France
brings their latest programmes to Hong Kong
"One of France's national treasures” San Francisco Chronicle
A visual delight and musical feast, from three great choreographers and three legendary composers.
Le Ballet de l'Opéra de Lyon is famed for its captivating performances and varied repertoire. Returning to the Festival after 16 years, and direct from the Ballet’s new season (2011-12) it presents three works: Benjamin Millepied’s Sarabande and This Part in Darkness, and Balanchine’s Who Cares?.
J S Bach’s Partita for flute and Partita for violin No 2 provide an enchanting score for Millepied to create his inventive and bold work, Sarabande, which he dedicates to Baryshnikov. The choreography in his second piece, This Part in Darkness, captures the intensity of Pulitzer winning composer David Lang’s score, and is highlighted using live video projections of dancers both on and off stage. Millepied’s association with the New York City Ballet (NYCB) are apparent in both pieces as he builds on the conventions of Balanchine.
Maguy Marin’s Grosse Fugue sees four women dance in a loose and breezy fashion, the stunningly real choreography bringing an intimacy between audience and dancer is made more existent by Beethoven’s extraordinary and busy score. Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco is a clean, pure production where two ballerinas flow and interweave with two violins, perfectly mirroring the rhythmic vitality of Bach’s music.
Appox 1 hr 50 mins incl one interval
Related Festival PLUS programme(s)
The Essence of Lyon Opera Ballet
Photo Credits
Bertrand Stofleth
Concerto Barocco (1941)
Choreography
GEORGE BALANCHINE
Music
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH
Sarabande (2009)
Choreography
BENJAMIN MILLEPIED
Music
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH
Grosse Fugue(2001)
Choreography
MAGUY MARIN
Music
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN
This Part in Darkness (2011) Asian Premiere
Choreography
BENJAMIN MILLEPIED
Music
DAVID LANG
MAX RICHTER
Bertrand Stofleth
Born in Bordeaux, France, Benjamin Millepied started ballet training at eight and studied at the School of American Ballet. He became principal dancer for NYCB in 2001 and began choreographing the same year. World renowned for his involvement in the movie Black Swan, he is known for his inventive and intelligent arrangements.
Born in Russia in 1904, George Balanchine co-founded the NYCB and the School of American Ballet. He created the modern style requiring greater speed and technical ability revolutionising classical ballet. His ballets are now performed by all the major classical ballet companies throughout the world. Clement Crisp, one of the many writers who eulogised Balanchine, assessed his contribution: "It is hard to think of the ballet world without the colossal presence of George Balanchine”.
Born in Toulouse, France, Maguy Marin trained at the Toulouse Conservatory, and then under Nina Vyroubova. Marin danced with Béjart’s Ballets du XXe Siècle from 1974-77 and founded Chandra in 1978. Major works include May B, Babel Babel, Groosland and Coppélia. She was resident choreographer of Lyon Opera Ballet from 1992–1994 and has received numerous awards and honours; most recently, the 2003 Samuel H. Scripps/American Dance Festival Award for lifetime achievement in modern dance.
