Singapore Dance Theatre Presents Two Spectacular Weekends of Ballet Under The Stars
PUBLISHED July 15th, 2013 02:59 am | UPDATED January 20th, 2016 04:31 pm
Now that our skies are free of haze, it’s time to dispense with the facemasks, venture out and enjoy the outdoors again. And what better way of doing this than spending an evening (or two) at Ballet Under The Stars? This year, the Singapore Dance Theatre (SDT) celebrates its 25th Anniversary. Since its inception, SDT has presented 17 editions of this popular annual event. Every year, the talented dance company has treated audiences at Fort Canning to a spectacle of music and movement. This year, fans of Ballet Under The Stars are in for a treat! The 18th Edition will take place over two enchanting weekends:
From 19 – 21 July, SDT will perform a dazzling showcase of contemporary dance works, featuring guest artists from Expressions Dance Company (Australia) as well as stunning pieces from the Company’s repertoire.
From 26 – 28 July, SDT will revive the heart-wrenching romantic tale of Giselle, one of ballet’s most famous tragedies.
‘This year we’re offering more with two choices in repertoire and audiences may pick out one or both. We will first present contemporary choreography on the initial weekend, featuring a collaboration with Australia’s Expressions Dance Company, in a world premiere combining both groups in the same work. The second weekend will showcase the greatest romantic ballet of all time in an outdoor setting present in its full classical version’, says Artistic Director Janek Schergen. ‘Also, when we did a fully classical weekend previously, it had the largest attendance ever. We decided to do two separate weekends – one classical and one contemporary to see what the response would be like.’ he added. It’s also a chance to showcase the multi-talented dance company, who seem to be equally at home with contemporary pieces as they are with classical ballet.
This annual outdoor dance has been a treat for ballet fans, since its conception in 1995. It’s a chance to take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and unwind with a leisurely evening picnic amidst the lush greenery in Fort Canning Green while enjoying the beauty of dance. Children will also be entertained by fun activities such as face painting and balloon sculpting.
Evening of Contemporary Dance featuring Expressions Dance Company
19 – 21 July
Absence of Story by Toru Shimazaki
Toru’s initial concept for this piece was to create a visual array of movements to accompany a piece of music of by Brahms (Vivace Ma Non Troppo and Adagio). ‘Absence of Story’ examines composer Johannes Brahms’ unrequited love for a married woman (Clara Schumann, the wife of his composer friend and mentor Robert Schumann). The piece is named as such because, as far as anyone knows, Brahms never got to have his love story with Clara. This particular piece of music is so powerful that Shimazaki simply wanted to react honestly to it. Absence of Story is a stirring piece without story or words in hope of not causing distraction to the beauty and the power of music. Toru Shimazaki is the chief professor of the dance department at Kobe College and has created works for many international companies including Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, The Royal Flanders Ballet, Polish Dance Theatre, Colorado Ballet, Grand Theatre de Geneve and Introdans.
Carmen Suite by Natalie Weir (Guest Performance by Expressions Dance Company)
Natalie Weir’s Carmen Suite is a smoldering interpretation of the legendary Carmen story, performed to Shchedrin’s gripping music, Carmen Suite. This piece retells the iconic tale of passion when Don Jose, a soldier, falls under the alluring spell of the fiery gypsy, Carmen, abandoning his childhood sweetheart and deserting the army.
Expressions Dance Company (EDC) is an Australian dance company widely acclaimed for its compelling brand of contemporary dance. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Natalie Weir, and drawing on the talents of an ensemble of six extraordinary dancers, the company is well on its way to being recognized as one of the premier dance companies in Australia.
A New Work by Natalie Weir (Company Premiere)
This piece will be jointly performed by EDC and SDT.
Natalie Weir is an established and acclaimed choreographer, known internationally for her highly physical partner work, her organic movement style and her touching insight into human nature. Natalie Weir has created over 150 professional works in her twenty-plus year career. She was a founding member of Expressions Dance Company (EDC) and has worked extensively throughout Australia, creating many works for most of the country’s major classical and contemporary dance companies including the Australian Ballet, West Australian Ballet, Queensland Ballet, Expressions Dance Company, Australian Dance Theatre, Dance North and Tasdance.
Fives by Goh Choo San
Energetic and vibrant, the piece shows off many of Goh Choo San’s trademarks: a brilliant management of ensemble patterns and space, line and unexpected gestures. Fives is a ballet that meshes the classical with contemporary. Goh described this ballet as ‘music ballet’, that is one in which the movement comes from the music itself and the audience in fact ‘sees’ as well as ‘hears’ the music. Created for 10 women and 5 men, Fives is an exciting work full of energy and sculptural pictures in dance. Goh Choo San is known as a master craftsman in dance in local arts scene, whose career took him to Europe and America, where he later became the Associate Director and resident choreographer of The Washington Ballet.
Giselle: 26 – 28 July
The die-hard fans of classical ballet need not worry – they can enjoy Giselle, one of the great romantic classical ballets, which retells the tragic tale of love and betrayal. It is a ballet that is included in the repertoire of virtually every classical company in the world. Staged by Artistic Director Janek Schergen, with choreography by Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot, Giselle is a ballet in two acts and is performed to a rich score by Adolphe Adam. Be captivated by this hauntingly beautiful ballet, which tells the tale of a peasant girl who falls in love with a prince, only to have it all transcend into heartbreak and tragedy.
This breathtaking ballet tells of the tragic love story between an innocent village maiden, Giselle, and a nobleman, Albrecht. Mesmerized by her beauty and innocence, Albrecht disguises himself as a peasant and promises eternal love to Giselle despite being betrothed to a Duke’s daughter, Bathilde. Provoked by Albrecht’s pursuit of Giselle, Hilarion, the jealous gamekeeper exposes Albrecht’s true identity. This drives Giselle to madness and grief, and eventually, she dies of a broken heart.
The second act takes place on a moonlight night in a forest at Giselle’s tomb. In Giselle’s melancholic world of vengeance and despair, she transforms from an innocent maiden to a Wilis, who are vengeful spirits of brides who died before their wedding day. Led by their queen, Myrtha, the Wilis seek to kill all men who wander into their world. Hilarion becomes their first prey, but Albrecht is saved by Giselle, who still loves him deeply even after death. Albrecht only comes to realize that he has lost his true love when dawn breaks and the Wilis spare his life and return to their graves.
So, there’s a lot to choose from this year. No matter what your taste in dance, Ballet Under The Stars is a great opportunity to gather your friends and family and celebrate an evening of dance in the open-air!
Ballet Under The Stars is held at Fort Canning Green with the Main Performance Time of 7.30pm.
For the 19th – 21st July performance, gates open from 5.30 pm for picnic with pre-show performances start from 6.30pm onward. For the 26th – 28th July performance, gates open from 6pm for picnic. No pre-show performances for these evenings. Tickets are available through all SISTIC outlets and SDT office. Children under the age of 4 years old have free admission.
Photographs courtesy of The Singapore Dance Theatre
