A penchant for delicious surprises defines this French company. Emerging from strongly classical roots, the Lyon Opera Ballet’s adventurous repertory has made the troupe of 28 dancers a favorite of the Northrop Dance Season audience. The ensemble is recognized worldwide for both the high quality of its dancers and for their ability to stretch classical dance techniques to their apex. This engagement highlights this company’s individuality with a triple bill of ballets by some of Europe’s leading choreographic forces.
About the Company
The Lyon Opera Ballet was established in 1969, initially staging and performing only works created by the three founding artistic directors. As the company matured they began collaborations with prominent choreographers from across Europe, expanding both their repertoire, and their vision. When current artistic director Yorgos Loukos took over in 1988, the Lyon Opera Ballet made a new commitment to taking their lyrically fluid ballet to an inter-continental audience. The result of this new commitment positioned the Lyon Opera Ballet as the most successful European dance company in America, having made 10 transatlantic trips in the last ten years.
Critic's Comments
"The Lyon Opera Ballet from France is a company full of surprises, not the least of which is the impressive individuality of its personable and versatile dancers.
-The New York Times
“…Superbly adaptable Lyon dancers [with] cutting edge chops…”
-Village Voice
Evening's Program
Second Detail
Initially developed for the National Ballet of Canada, this pure dance work was created by William Forsythe, who is most familiarly associated with Germany’s Ballett Frankfurt. The women are on pointe, fashioning classical lines and dancing to a “hurdy-gurdy” musical mash that creates mechanical, yet humorous momentum. 14 dancers; 26 minutes.
twelvetwentyone
This work introduces British choreographer Russell Maliphant, a former Sadlers Wells Royal Ballet, DV8, and Michael Clark dancer turned choreographer. A dance of intimacy, feeling, and listening, this work for 12 dancers is set to score by Mukul Patel, whose composition plays along the borders of music and noise.
Symphony of Psalms
This magnificent celebration of the human spirit evokes suffering, regret, tenderness, hope, passion and desire. Choreographed by famed Nederland Dans Theater choreographer Jiri Kylain, it is performed to Igor Stravinsky’s dramatic choral work of the same name. 16 dancers; 30 minutes
Performances at Northrop
1990, 1992, 1997, 1999, 2002, 2004