Dutch choreographer, Rudi van Dantzig returns to Cape Town to re-stage his masterpiece Four Last Songs (Vier Lezte Lieder) last seen here in 1993 when it was performed by the CAPAB Ballet. Inspired by the poetry of Hermann Hesse and Joseph van Eichendorff, Van Dantzig's masterpiece is performed to Richard Strauss' swan song of the same name. The song cycle portrays the acceptance of death as an inescapable but natural event that brings rest and peace. Four Last Songs is considered one of the most important Dutch classical ballets of the Seventies, and is performed by major ballet companies all over the world.
The programme also includes Rudi van Dantzig's Pas de Six which he has given as a gift to Cape Town City Ballet. This divertissement for six dancers uses little known music from Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky and will be a first for CTCB.
Guest artistes from The Cuban National Ballet, Veronica Corveas and Jose Losada will perform Diana and Actaeon. This version, choreographed by the Cuban National Ballet's, Artistic Director and former prima Ballerina Assoluta, Alicia Alonso is a virtuoso pas de deux and has been made famous by various Cuban and Russian dancers. It is frequently performed as a show-stopper at international Galas world-wide and this will be the first time it has been in seen in South Africa.
Lindy Raizenberg's, Like So was first choreographed in 2005 and performed at Artscape and the Baxter Theatres. It was originally inspired by what Raizenberg perceives as the attitude of self belief and air of confidence exhibited by young people. It is a modern ballet with contemporary overtones. She uses modern popular music by Jack Johnson, Saint Germain and the very successful South African singing group Freshly Ground.
Canadian born choreographer, Robert North stages one of his major choreographic triumphs, Entre Dos Aguas. Originally set on the Ballet Rambert in the early 1980's it has withstood the test of time, entering the repertoire of many overseas companies. The vibrant Spanish music of Paco de Lucia and British composer Simon Rogers blends magnificently with this pseudo-Spanish neo-classical ballet, exploring rhythms of Rumba, and Flamenco. The dance styles fluctuate between Classical Ballet, Spanish and Contemporary in a series of dances demonstrating fluidity of movement, balletic grace and pulsating Spanish zapateado.
The finale culminates in an exciting swirl of colour, and buoyant climatic exuberance - a perfect finish to an evening of exciting dance.
Book now through Computicket or at Artscape's Dial-a-seat 021 421 7695
As an introduction to the season of Ballets Nouveaux, Cape Town City Ballet will present an 'Insight' lec/dem for dance practitioners, dance lovers and members of the general public and other role players. Visiting choreographers Rudi van Dantzig and Robert North will discuss and present highlights from their ballets with the dancers of the CTCB. The Ballets Nouveaux 'Insight' evening will be held on the Artscape Opera Stage on Wednesday 4 October at 19h00, admission is free.
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