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BC
Ballet Date: 6 November
2003 at 8.00pm Reviewer: Ross Micheal Pink |
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Ballet BC presented the works of three choreographers in an evening of dance that was refined and memorable. Dvorak Serenade, by choreographer John Clifford, is an elegant and gentle piece that slows down the pace of time. In our multimedia world of instant images and frenetic change, Clifford , with the support of a talented cast of Ballet BC dancers, has managed a piece that allows us to reflect upon the dancer and the movements. The work is elegant, slow, refined. It is a work that needs no reliance on excessive costumes and lighting. Indeed the music by Antonin Dvorak is peaceful and went well with the requisite accompaniment for the dancing. Clifford was a principal dancer and later choreographer with New York City Ballet. He is also the founder of the Los Angeles Ballet which has received critical acclaim for its performances. The second piece of the evening, In and Around Kozla Street ( Warsaw ) by choreographer Serge Bennathan, is a lively work that reminds one of the colorful Cossack dancers of Russian fame.
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The work gives the impression that even in a tragic period, dance and celebration endure because they are essential to life itself. In the worst of times they are needed more than ever to re-affirm life. Bennathan has been artistic director of Toronto's Dancemakers since 1990. He has worked with dance companies around the world such as The National Ballet of Canada and Ballet Monte Carlo and is a recipient of a Dora Mavor Moore dance award. The original music was composed by Arne Eigenfeldt who captured well the spirit of the ballet. The third piece of the evening, Carmen, is a choreographic work by Jean Grand-Maite that is based on the famous novel by Prosper Merimee. Carmen is a tragedy about obsessive love. It is the fateful story of a dashing young military officer who is drawn to the earthy charm and beauty of a Gypsy girl, Carmen. The musical score is from Rodion Shchedrin and from George Bizet's Carmen. Grand- Maite is the current artistic director of Alberta Ballet. Previously, as an independent choreographer, he worked with numerous companies such as the Norwegian National Ballet. Ballet BC has a number of new dancers and the company, under the direction of John Alleyne, displays maturity and emotion in its interpretation of dance. Evening highlights included the performances of Sandrine Cassini, Kai Davis, Mao Ye and Edmond Kilpatrick. © 2003, Ross Micheal Pink |