John Neumeier:
Mahler´s third Symphony
Royal Danish Ballet
The Opera Stage
May 19th and May 21
2021
In 1974, John Neumeier presented his version of “Romeo & Juliet” with the Royal Danish Ballet, which became a major hit in Copenhagen and can properly be called one of the audience favorites. It will have yet another run next season.
The success” build a close relation with John Neumeier and his Hamburg Ballett. RDB has since performed several of John Neumeier´s creations including “A Midsummer Night´s Dream”, “Ulysses”, “Lady of the Camellias”, “Des Knaben Wunderhorn”, “Mahler´s 5th Symphony” etc.
John Neumeier has also choreographed “The Little Mermaid” and “1963: Yesterday” for the Royal Danish Ballet.
Maybe Next Years
It was planned that the RDB should have performed “Mahler´s third Symphony” earlier this year. However, corvid put a stop of RDB on stage. Luckily, the company is now back on stage and finally taking on “Mahler´s third Symphony”.
When using the Mahler classic, the choreographer may not make cuts or ad other music to the symphony. One can say that this stipulation could limit the choreographer wishes and opportunities.
In the case of John Neumeier, he often choose to work with a very big cast, which allow him to fill the stage. “Mahler´s Third Symphony” follows the pattern. However, there are segments that are difficult to fill, probably due because the stipulations of no cuts in the music.
As part of my preparation to the Copenhagen run, I viewed a copy of The Paris Opera´s performance. One part in special made me wonder. A soloist dancer is on stage for most of the performance and handling a number of solos and pas de deux. However as the ballet went on, his part become smaller and smaller. That was also the case in Copenhagen, where Principal Jonathan Chmelensky likewise seamed left out in the late part of the ballet.
However In second cast, the table turned due to soloist Liam Redhead´s performance. Here was the dancer who could deliver character as well as carry the choreography. Liam Redhead will be one of the Romeo´s in the upcoming re-run of yet another Neumeier ballet. I am certainly looking forward to Redhead’s Romeo.
Back on Stage
It has been a long time since the RDB dancers have been on stage due to Corvid. The run of “Mahler´s Third” gives the dancers and the audience what we all have been longing for. There are so far two casts in the production. However, many RDB dancers take on more than one role. They are certainly back in action.
In the first cast, the major roles are primarily performed by the top layer of the company with female principals Ida Praetorius and Holly Dorger in the leads, supported by soloist Astrid Elbo. The male wing was also coping well, even when missing Principal Jon Axel Fransson and dancer Benjamin Buza in leading roles, due to injuries.
Principals Gregory Dean, Andreas Kaas and Marcin Kupinski supported not only by Soloist Tobias Praetorius and Ryan Tomash but also by a strong full male corps.
Second cast presented yet another role for Ida Praetorius as well as strong supporting performances from Principal Caroline Baldwin and soloists Stephanie Chen-Gundorph, Emma Riis-Kofoed and Lena Maria Gruber.
Where are the Band?
It was a surprise to be in the Opera House without the Royal Chapel in the pit. Due to limit Corvid, the Royal Chapel had moved from the pit to play in a room below the pit. It functioned well enough and at least gave us the chance to hear live music.
We are counting our blessings. The RDB is back in action.
Photo
Jon Axel Fransson by Henrik Stenberg Copyright(c) Royal Danish Ballet
Comments