Grand Theatre in Łódź: Martha Graham The Rite of Spring, Henryk Konwiński Krzesany premiere on Saturday

The Grand Theatre in Łódź has prepared a true feast for ballet lovers ? an evening presenting the works created by world-famous dancer, teacher and choreographer Martha Graham, and by the legend of Polish ballet Henryk Konwiński. Their choreographies will appear on Grand Theatre stage for the first time. The premiere will be held on Saturday 18 June 2016 at 7 pm, followed by the shows on 19 June at 7 pm and 21 June at 6.30 pm.

The Rite of Spring and Krzesany form a two-part evening with excellent choreographies complemented by ballet music by two prominent composers, Igor Stravinsky and Wojciech Kilar. Inspired by the beliefs and rituals of pagan Ruthenia (The Rite of Spring) and the unique character of the Polish highlander folklore (Krzesany), the two artists created magnificent works which have different styles and atmospheres but also have something in common: a return to the roots, to folk tradition and fascination with what is important and invaluable in national cultures ? identity and originality.

The Rite of Spring choreographed by Martha Graham premiered on 28 February 1984 at the New York State Theater. It captured the critics? attention and won the audience?s hearts. Along with the same piece choreographed by Maurice Béjart, it became a model of contemporary ballet language and of modern interpretation of the ?old? themes.

Henryk Konwiński reached for Kilar?s music once again. The first Krzesany with his choreography was featured in the ballet performance Ad montes ? Tatra Ballets at the Silesian Opera in Bytom in 1994. It proved that Kilar?s music is very popular and highly appreciated. And when it becomes the source of inspiration for a choreographer with great imagination and brilliant ideas, such as Konwiński, the result is always moving and impressive.

TRAILER

More information:

http://www.operalodz.com/SWIETO_WIOSNY_KRZESANY,29,96

About The Rite of Spring by Martha Graham

Henryk Konwiński about Krzesany

The Rite of Spring

music: Martha Graham

choreography: Martha Graham

restaging: Maurizio Nardi, Ben Schultz, Denise Vale

music direction: Tadeusz Kozłowski

stage design: Edward Morris

costumes: Pilsar Limosner

assistant costume designer: Elżbieta Panek-Szewczyk

light direction: Grzegorz Policiński

producer: Łukasz Mitka

Cast:

Shaman

Nazar Botsiy

Mateusz Kubiak

Chosen One

Alicja Bajorek

Minori Nakayama

Priests

Gintautas Potockas

Witold Biegański

Jakub Jóźwik

Yukihiro Minamizawa

 Orchestra of the Grand Theatre in Łódź

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Krzesany

music: Wojciech Kilar

choreography: Henryk Konwiński

assistant choreographer: Grzegorz Pajdzik

music director: Tadeusz Kozłowski

stage design: Ireneusz Domagała

light direction: Grzegorz Policiński

producer: Łukasz Mitka

Valentyna Batrak/ Claudia Elvetico/ Ekaterina Kitaeva-Muśko/ Laura Korolczuk

Alicja Bajorek/ Izabela Barbracka/ Lydie Boutfeux/ Karolina Jaremko/ Libia Kobus/ Ewa Kowalska-Brodek

Kinga Łapińska/ Matylda Molińska/ Minori Nakayama/ Riho Okuno/ Sakuro Onodera/ Luna Othnin-Girard/ Hannah Sofo, Bogumiła Sołek, Adrianna Stępień

Witold Biegański/ Grzegorz Brożek/ Wojciech Domagała/ Yuki Itaya/ Tomu Kawai/ Mateusz Kubiak

Dawid Kucharski/ Wiktor Krakowiak-Chu/ Jak Łukasiewicz/ Yukihiro Minamizawa/ Krzysztof Pabjańczyk/ Dominik Senator/ Kyrylo Shcherban/ Arthur Stashak/ Ryo Takaya

Orchestra of the Grand Theatre in Łódź and students of Feliks Parnell State Ballet School

Music director and conductor: Tadeusz Kozłowski