Streaming Online: Stravinsky's 'The Rite Of Spring' Reimagined By Choreographer Jeanguy Saintus (From July 23, 2021)
With material from a media release:
Streaming Online: Stravinsky's 'The Rite Of Spring' Reimagined By Choreographer Jeanguy Saintus (From July 23, 2021)
Opera North in collaboration with contemporary dance ensemble Phoenix Dance Theatre
Streaming July 23, 2021 To January 23, 2022
Figures from Haitian Voudou folklore tell the story of ritual and ceremony, revolving around a female spirit named Erzuli.
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| 'The Rite Of Spring' - Choreographer Jeanguy Saintus/ Opera North / Phoenix Dance Theatre (Image via YouTube) |
This isn't your mother's The Rite of Spring, in other words.
The video was taken at the Leeds Grand Theatre in February 2019, where the show opened. After a successful home run, the production went on tour. The film captures the energy and drama of the piece as it cuts between the dancers, including overhead shots, and the work of the orchestra and conductor.
The Rite of Spring choreographer Jeanguy Saintus is artistic director and founder of dance company Ayikodans, based in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He comments in a media release.
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| 'The Rite Of Spring' - Choreographer Jeanguy Saintus/ Opera North / Phoenix Dance Theatre (Image via YouTube) |
“I am moved when I think about the welcoming challenges I experienced rewriting this well-known dance work. At the time I didn’t know the company well, but I quickly discovered I was embarking on that adventure with beautiful dancers and a wonderful creative team.
“I am grateful to Sharon Watson, then Artistic Director of Phoenix Dance Theatre for allowing me to tell my alternative vision of the Rite through the lens of Haiti’s empowering Vodou culture, my culture. Also a treat was the collaboration with Opera North and its Music Director Garry Walker, who earned my trust starting with the first rehearsal.
“I am thrilled that the world can now experience our amazing endeavour from the comfort of their homes. Reaching a larger audience is the goal of every choreographer, artist, and the dancers themselves; therefore, this is a wish realised for me.
“On a personal note, the COVID-19 pandemic has been one of the worst periods I’ve experienced. I am still living through it, along with my dancers and dance artists all over the world. On a more positive note, I am working on a new piece, ‘Invocation’, for my company Ayikodans in Haiti, and another production to be presented in Athens in September 2021.”
Details
Orchestra of Opera North, Conductor Garry Walker
Choreographer: Jeanguy Saintus
Dancers: Manon Arianow; Natalie Alleston; Carmen Vasquez Marfil; Carlos J. Martinez; Michael Marquez; Vanessa Vince-Pang; Prentice Whitlow; Aaron Chaplin
Costume Designer: Yann Seabra
Lighting Designer: Richard Moore
Available from 23.07.2021 at 19h00 CET (1pm ET)
Available until 23.01.2022 at 12h00 CET (6am ET)
Watch It Free Of Charge At The Link
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