Singapore Dance Theatre presents Masterpiece in Motion 2012

PRESS RELEASE

Singapore Dance Theatre presents Masterpiece in Motion 2012

An annual triple bill of the finest international choreography

24-25 August 2012 at the Esplanade Theatre

Singapore Dance Theatre (SDT) is proud to present Masterpiece in Motion this August, bringing three new works of international standards to the repertoire, showcasing the finest examples of choreography to audiences at home. Masterpiece in Motion, an annual triple bill, will see the company premiere of two exquisite works: Divertimento No. 15 by renowned choreographer, George Balanchine, and Age of Innocence by award-winning choreographer Edwaard Liang. SDT will also be performing a world premiere of a newly choreographed work created by Val Caniparoli, whose Lambarena was first performed by SDT in 1998 and has been revived by the company several times.

Divertimento No. 15 by George Balanchine

Divertimento No. 15 is a ballet in five movements, named after the music written by Mozart Wolfgang Amadeus, which Balanchine deemed as the finest divertimento ever written. Created for the New York City Ballet, the work features an uneven mix of five female soloists and three leading male dancers, with an ensemble of eight women. This lends the piece an element of surprise, yet the ballet flows seamlessly as dancers perform variations and duets. Divertimento No. 15 intertwines a touch of mystery with slow graceful transitions as Balanchine’s choreography effortlessly unfolds alongside Mozart’s expressive score. In essence, this piece is a vision of ideal beauty, a juxtaposition of elegance and delicacy to complement the sweet playfulness of Mozart’s music.

The Choreographer

George Balanchine, born in St Petersburg during the age of Imperial Russia, is regarded as the foremost contemporary choreographer in the world of ballet. As a dancer and choreographer, he was also trained equally as a musician where he was enrolled in the Petrograd Conservatory of Music. In 1948, Balanchine co-founded the New York City Ballet with Lincoln Kirstein, and produced more than 400 ballets in his lifetime. Today, every major ballet company enhances their repertoire with Balanchine ballets including The Royal Ballet, The Kirov Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet and The Australian Ballet.

Age of Innocence by Edwaard Liang

Created for the Joffrey Ballet in 2008, Age of Innocence is inspired by the novels of Jane Austen and women of her era. This piece encapsulates the complications of male-female relationships in a world that is all at once modern and historical, capturing the tragedy in the hierarchy endured by the women. Danced to the music of Philip Glass and Thomas Newman, the dynamism of the exuberant, potent music lifts the dancers from the stage to present an enthralling piece. Age of Innocence is a staple in Joffrey Ballet’s repertory and has been performed several times by the company since its conception, including this year’s spring mixed repertory, Spring Desire. This piece is the Edwaard Liang’s third work performed by SDT. Previous works include As Above, So Below (2010, Da:ns Festival 2012) and The Winds of Zephyrus (2011, Masterpiece in Motion). Age of Innocence was successfully brought in this year with the support of SDT’s Ambassador’s Circle.

The Choreographer

Born in Taipei, Taiwan and raised in California, Edwaard Liang joined New York City Ballet in the spring of 1993 after training at the School of American Ballet. Thereafter, he joined the Broadway cast of Fosse in a leading principle role. He later became a member of the Nederlands Dans Theatre where he danced, choreographed and staged ballets. To date, he has choreographed numerous works for a number of major ballet companies such as New York City Ballet, Kirov Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Shanghai Ballet, Washington Ballet and Tulsa Ballet.   

A new work by Val Caniparoli

The third piece is a world premiere of a new work created especially for SDT, by Val Caniparoli. It will feature a full company ballet with costumes by award winning designer Sandra Woodall. As it is a world premiere, the title of the work has yet to be determined. Val Caniparoli has chosen a music accompaniment by the composer Lou Harrison, titled Double Concerto for Violin and Cello with Javanese Gamelan (1981/82).

The Choreographer

Val Caniparoli is closely associated with San Francisco Ballet where he began his career as a dancer in 1973 and was later appointed resident choreographer. He has also contributed to the repertories of more than thirty-five dance companies internationally including Scottish Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Boston Ballet, Northern Ballet Theatre and State Theatre Ballet of South Africa. Val Caniparoli’s Lambarena was first performed by SDT in 1998 and has been revived by the company several times.

FAST FACTS

Title                        :               Masterpiece in Motion

Date                       :               24 & 25 August 2012 (Friday and Saturday)

Venue                    :               Esplanade Theatre

Time                       :               8pm

Ticket prices          :               $90, $75, $50, $30 (excluding SISTIC charge)

                                                ** Various discount schemes are available

Admission for 6 years old and above

We apologise that we are unable to admit infants in arms and children below 6 years old. Children 6 years old and above will require a ticket for entry.

Tickets are available through all SISTIC outlets and SDT office from 11 June 2012.

ARTISTIC TEAM

Dancers for Season 2012

THE COMPANY

The Singapore Dance Theatre (SDT) was founded in 1988 with seven dancers by Goh Soo Khim and the late Anthony Then. Since then, SDT has developed into Singapore’s premier professional dance company comprising 34 dancers. In the course of each year, the Company performs six main seasons, including the widely popular Ballet Under The Stars at the Fort Canning Park. As an ambassador for dance and for Singapore, the company aims to be an internationally well-regarded professional dance company that is known for its unique ability to shine in classical, neo-classical and contemporary repertoire with works that are timeless and inspiring.

The Company’s repertoire ranges from classical to contemporary ballet, from renowned choreographers like Goh Choo San, George Balanchine, Nacho Duato, Jiri Kylian, Stanton Welch, Marie-Claude Pietragalla, Xing Liang, Natalie Weir, Val Caniparoli, Graham Lustig, David Dawson, Jorma Elo, Edmund Stripe, Adrian Burnett, Edwaard Liang and Nils Christe.

In 2009, Janek Schergen took over the post of Artistic Director of SDT. Under his leadership, the Company has made new achievements in the international and Singapore dance arena. Janek is also the Artistic Director of the Choo-San Goh & H. Robert Magee Foundation which oversees the licensing and production of Choo San Goh's ballets and the annual Choo San Goh Awards for Choreography.

SDT also actively reaches out to the public to create greater awareness of dance through outreach to schools with its Arts Education Programme, Dance Appreciation Series (jointly presented with Esplanade Co.), and One @ The Ballet, an initiative to help the public gain a better understanding of the different aspect of dance.