summer solstice 2013

Stonehenge

summer solstice

21 June 2013 at 0504 UT, 0104 EDT

first moonrise after summer solstice

National Ballet of Canada / mixed programme

National Ballet of Canada

mixed programme

22 June 2013

The evening was a packed climax to the company's ambitious season with four varied works. No. 24, chor. Guillaume Côté (2010), was an intense powerful duo danced by Aleksandar Antonijević and Greta Hodgkinson. Pur ti miro, chor. Jorma Elo (2010), was a less than successful hybrid. The Man in Black, chor. James Kudelka (2010), skilfully recreated feelings of the North American West. Theme and Variations, chor. George Balanchine  (1947), with Guillaume Côté and Heather Ogden, was a beautiful reaffirmation of grand Russian style.

Pur ti miro

chor. Jorma Elo  (2010)

pur ti miro = I adore you

I was puzzled by the comings and goings of dancers in situations that are explosive and spastic, yet occasionally pretty. The piece is neither neo-classic nor really modern, and left me uncomfortable.

The Man in Black

chor. James Kudelka  (2010)

music of Johnny Cash

with Piotr Stanczyk, McGee Maddox, Jonathan Renna, and Stephanie Hutchison

This is country music and dance of the North American West. The sentiments are simple and basic, and familiar. I got to appreciate McGee Maddox who seemed in his element.

No. 24

chor. Guillaume Côté  (2010)

Niccolò Paganini , Caprice No. 24 in A minor  (from 24 Caprices, ca 1805-1807)

with Aleksandar Antonijević and Greta Hodgkinson

The movement is as complicated and difficult as the capriccio itself. The dancers are intense and focused in their constant interaction. The piece is short and powerful, and was the standout of the evening. Aleksandar Antonijević looked wonderful, superb partner for an emotive Greta Hodgkinson.

Theme and Variations

chor. George Balanchine  (1947)

with Guillaume Côté and Heather Ogden

It is a beautiful reaffirmation of the grand Russian style, and great way to end an ambitious season. The principals moved with ease and charm through virtuoso choreography that celebrated imperial grandeur and beauty.

Mark Morris — L'Allegro

L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato

chor. Mark Morris (1988)

Mark Morris Dance Group

with Tafelmusik and Chamber Choir

at Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, Toronto

presented by Luminato Festival

21 June 2013

The cast of 24 moves lightly through many variations and constant entrances and exits, forming dynamic patterns to reflect exactly the flow of George Frideric Handel's music, with clever use of lighting, scrims, and colour. Handel's 1740 piece, not quite an oratorio, is an impressive pastoral ode after poems of John Milton, with orchestra, choir, and four soloists. The dance, though at times repetitious, is interesting, playful, and fun. The audience gave a standing ovation.

Carmen

Carmen

chor. Davide Bombano  (2006, 2009)

National Ballet of Canada

with Greta Hodgkinson (Carmen), Piotr Stanczyk (Don José), Jiří Jelinek (Escamillo)

on 8 June 2013 (evening)

Carmen is a standing colourful favourite of opera, perhaps less so as ballet, though still familiar. This version is much darker and almost mythic, entirely premised on passions and sex, ultimately in tragedy. A band of thieves provides at times some intense movement on stage while occasionally projections on screen distract. When Escamillo as minotaur appears he is accompanied by a surprise, and certainly amusing drag chorus of four tall guys wielding huge fans. The piece overall is highly dramatic and powerful, and to-night performed exceptionally well.