All 22 dancers of the Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève perform in Glory choreographed by Adonis Foniadakis at The Joyce Theater. The performance is danced entirely to excerpts of George Frideric Handel’s greatest “hits” – Hallelujah Chorus from The Messiah, an aria from Xerxes, sections from Suites De Piéces pour le Clavecin and sections of the Concerti Grossi Opus 6, among others. This contemporary ballet has elements of traditional ballet, modern dance and even gymnastics. It is amazingly physical and intricate. Just sitting and watching made my shoulders and hips hurt.
The lighting, as designed by Mikki Kunttu, and the costumes, created by Tassos Sofroniou, were as integral to this piece as the music and dancers. The stage is backlit and filled with sweet smelling smoke as the dance opens and stays that way for much of the performance. But in-between, the dancers are lit to create shadows, or shadowy figures. The costumes change from simple leotards, to a billowing parachute dress, to men in sheer skirts. Together the lighting, music and choreography create some semblance of a story with a broad range of emotions – from elation to doom. It was quite a sensory experience.
The audience, as did I, loved every minute. There were four curtain calls and non-stop applause.
Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève at the Joyce Theater runs from 3/25-3/30. LAR
Ticket prices start at $10 (Call JoyceCharge at 212-242-0800 for $10 tickets). All other tickets can be purchased online.
http://www.joyce.org/performance/ballet-du-grand-theatre-de-geneve/#.UzLbnPl7ASU
