The Chamber Ballet/Trio Vitruvi
”Takkeloftet”
Royal Danish Opera House
August 15 2021
Like most European ballet companies the Royal Danish Ballet have shut down its performances due to the Covid situation. Luckily, Denmark has been lightly touched compared to other countries and we have recently been able to attend performances.
When the Opera House was build, the building also included a smaller stage, which were planned for smaller performances, talks etc. it has also become the home stage for smaller productions for the Royal Danish Ballet and other ensembles like The Chamber Ballet/Trio Vitruvi as well. It proved a very good match.
Opening the season, the team was able to present six new ballets with six choreographers and 11 dancers from the company and abroad.
First out was a rather traditional Pas de Deux by Adam Lüders, the former RDB dancer who gained a big career at New York City Ballet. It was up to Amy Watson and Benjamin Buza to get life into Pas de Deux. They proved a strong and pleasant partnership. Officially, Principal Amy Watson retired last season. However seeing her and Buza, confirmed that they might dance on a high level for coming times.
Choreographer Cecar Faria Fernandes is a new name for the Danish audience. His INWARDOUT was a solo for Ryan Tomash, who joined RDB two years ago. Unfortunately, the scene was very dark, which might give the gloominess wanted. As it was, it made it difficult for the audience to read the facial impressions of Ryan Thomas.
Next out was Tobias Praetorius contribution to the evening. He had made a fine trio, called OENOTHERA for Principal Ida Praetorius and soloists Stephanie Chen Gundorph and Astrid Elbo in a more classical than modern style.
More to come
Still, the best was yet to come. Partly because we got outstanding dancing from Sebastian Haynes, who had spent the last year in Netherlands Dance Theatre. Haynes danced a solo called GEISTER choreographed by Paxton Ricketts.
Another Danish contribution IN BRIGHT GLOOM, choreographed by Sebastian Kloborg was danced by RDB Soloist Liam Redhead and Principal Ulrik Birkkjær, the later who left RDB for San Francisco Ballet some years ago. Kloborg´s choreography mixed humor as well as pointing out that changing the script can make a production much better.
“Lighter than Lightfoot”
The final was the best to come. Choreographed by international choreograph Paul Lightfoot, who has been the leading head of Netherlands Dance Theatre, and who had also worked with Royal Danish Ballet on several productions. His knowledge and skills showed how much could be gained by using not only outstanding dancers but also using the stage more effectively.
His contribution called SELF PORTRAIT” was the strongest of the evening. Paul Lightfoot know exactly how to use the space. In the earlier contributions, the classical trio was placed in the front of the stage. However, Paul Lightfoot moved them to the back of the stage, thereby giving the dancers a much bigger room to perform. In addition to the dancing of Maria Kochetkova, Sebastian Haynes and Toon Lobach, Paul Lightfoot also uses the technical skills of “Takkeloftet” to move the walls and sealings. Not only does he give us fine choreography, he also took us to another space, we did not know we had. Getting Paul Lightfoot back to work with the Royal Danish Ballet is top on my wish list.
The initiative has given both the audience and the dancers an important gift. Some have gained new roles while others have had the opportunity to create. May the Chamber Ballet continue to be an important part of the Royal Danish Ballet. The dancers needs it and so does the audience.
About Trio Vitruvi.
The company has presented chamber music and cutting edge ballet at Takkelloftet, Copenhagen Opera House. Dancers of The Royal Danish Ballet and international stars perform four world premieres of choreographies by four choreographers to music performed by Trio Vitruvi.
Trio Vitruvi has the pleasure of presenting KAMMERBALLETTEN, a festival that combines chamber music and newly choreographed ballet. KAMMERBALLETTEN translates to Chamber Ballet, and is created by violinist Niklas Walentin, cellist Jacob la Cour and pianist Alexander McKenzie.
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