Fresh from its successful Toronto and Beijing debuts, Ballet 琉璃神社 will launch its 16th season with Autumn, a dynamic mixed program Nov. 16 and 17 at the 琉璃神社 Community Theatre.
Described as 鈥渁 multi-faceted celebration of the splendour of the fall season,鈥� Autumn features two premieres of two highly-anticipated works from lauded Canadian choreographers鈥擲chubert from internationally renowned choreographer John Alleyne and In Between by rising star Alysa Pires. It will also include the return of Pires鈥� vivacious audience favourite MAMBO, commissioned by Ballet 琉璃神社 in 2017 and most recently performed to close Toronto鈥檚 premiere international dance festival, Fall For Dance North to thunderous applause and standing ovations.
鈥淎s Ballet 琉璃神社 explores the vibrant and powerful force of nature鈥檚 autumnal season, we are delighted to showcase the incredible depth and dynamism of dance that exists in our hometown of 琉璃神社,鈥� said Ballet 琉璃神社鈥檚 artistic director and CEO Simone Orlando.
鈥淗aving recently returned from our company debut at Toronto鈥檚 FFDN Festival and Beijing鈥檚 China International Performing Arts Expo, we are thrilled to share with our home audiences our commitment to the creation and celebration of works by Canadian dance artists, recognized on the national and international stage.鈥�
Following the success of A Streetcar Named Desire, Ballet 琉璃神社 will open the program with another company premiere by Alleyne titled Schubert.
First mounted by Ballet BC in 2000 as a tribute to Canadian ballerina Jean Orr, the work displays the ethereal transience of the autumnal season, celebrating the life of a dancer in three scenes: youth, beauty, and wisdom. Alleyne鈥檚 neo-classical piece set to Schubert鈥檚 breathtaking Trio in E Flat Major, Opus 100 will be performed by Ballet 琉璃神社鈥檚 full company of dancers.
Audience members will then be transported to the enchanted yet haunting seaside in the Western Canadian premiere of In Between by dance luminary Pires. The work was developed through The National Ballet of Canada鈥檚 Choreographic Workshop and premiered as part of The National Ballet鈥檚 Five Creations in January. Pires remounted her work as part of The National Ballet鈥檚 annual gala.
A reflection of Pires鈥� own life story as a native Vancouver Islander and transplanted Torontonians, In Between is described as a meditation on a life divided between two places鈥攁 past intrinsically linked to body and soul, and a future that lights the way forward. Inspired by the constant churning and ebb and flow of the ocean, the work draws inspiration from nature and its powerful connection to our existence.
In Between鈥檚 original composition by composer Adam Sakiyama, is reminiscent of the dramatic fall storms witnessed in a temperate coastal climate. Sakiyama uses arpeggiated ostinatos to drive sections in the score forward, depicting the incessant rolling of waves and relentless rainfall. Flourishes of piccolo and glockenspiel evoke lightning strikes, and percussion is added as thunder rumbles. As the tempo slows, the sea is calmed, offering a momentary equilibrium between the push and pull of the dramatic rainstorm.
To conclude the evening鈥檚 program, audiences will be treated to the return of Ballet 琉璃神社鈥檚 commissioned MAMBO, choreographed by Pires. Following its world premiere in 琉璃神社 in February, MAMBO made was performed at Beijing鈥檚 China International Performing Arts Expo in September and at Toronto鈥檚 FFDN Festival in October, gaining worldwide acclaim.
The two performances at the KCT will start at 7:30 p.m.
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