NEDERLANDS DANS THEATER’S MUCH‐ANTICIPATED RETURN TO MONTREAL: A HIGHLIGHT OF THE FALL SEASON

NDT ‐ NEDERDLANDS DANS THEATER

Sehnsucht Sol León, Paul Lighoot In the Event Crystal Pite Stop‐Moon Sol León, Paul Lighoot

THÉÂTRE MAISONNEUVE, PLACE DES ARTS November 1. 2. 3. 4. 5, 2016, 8 p.m.

Post‐performance talk: Friday, November 4

Montreal, October 3, 2016 ‐ Revoluonary, virtuosic, unforgeable, a state of grace of unbelievable beauty … The superlaves just keep piling up when it comes to the Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT). Decade aer decade, it remains an acknowledged leader on the internaonal contemporary dance scene. Twenty‐eight phenomenal dancers from around the world, renowned for their versality, technique and expressiveness. The company’s return to Montreal aer a 20‐year absence promises to be a highlight of the fall dance season. There are three works on the program: Sehnsucht and Stop‐Moon, co‐ choreographed by Sol León and Paul Lighoot, very different aesthecally but aligned in their perfect solemnity, precision and harmony; and Crystal Pite’s astonishing In the Event, with its shadow play, slow‐moon movement, syncopated gestures and arrested moons. A dazzling evening that won’t soon be forgoen! November 1–5 in the Théâtre Maisonneuve of Place des Arts.

« Cinq minutes de spectacle suffisent à en être sûr : cee compagnie est l’une des sept merveilles du monde de la danse. » − Le Figaro, Paris

Sehnsucht + Stop‐Moon by Sol León, Paul Lighoot

In more than 26 years as a choreographic duo, Sol León and Paul Lighoot have built a repertoire of over 50 works, including Sehnsucht (2009) and Stop‐Moon (2014). As the NDT’s resident choreographers since 2002, León and Lighoot have developed a unique working relaonship and an unpredictable, boldly idiosyncrac style. Fearlessly expressing their fragility, their euphoria or their personal struggles through their work, they demand the same selfless commitment from the performers.

Sehnsucht (a German word meaning longing, nostalgia) offers the audience a double perspecve. On stage, the dancers perform precise and rhythmical steps in solos and groups, while above them, in a rotang white cube suspended in mid‐air, two dancers revisit their memories. Stop‐Moon is a graceful piece in tones of ivory, grey and beige; a long black dress, rounded, rippling movement, a backdrop of giant video projecons, and clouds of white powder that swirl and shi like memories in the sculptural lighng.

In the Event by Crystal Pite

Few contemporary dance fans haven’t heard of Crystal Pite, the internaonally acclaimed Canadian choreographer who has created works for her own Vancouver‐based company, Kidd Pivot, and for leading ensembles around the world. In the Event is a surprising and innovave work infused with Pite’s characterisc fluidity. The powerful, expressive and incisive movement accelerates, slows, stops, as the percussive score resonates on a stage bathed in so light intercut with shadow‐play.

Sehnsucht + Stop‐Moon + In the Event: a triple bill that showcases the NDT at its best. “The dancers of Nederlands Dans Theater showed just how wonderfully exhilarang contemporary dance can be.” − The Daily Telegraph, Sydney

Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT 1 et NDT 2)

Idiosyncrac. That’s the adjecve NDT uses to define and describe itself. Idiosyncrasy: a disncve reacon by an individual or group to outside influences. And by extension, therefore, idiosyncrac: unusual, disncve, one of a kind; ambious and progressive. That has been NDT’s philosophy since its founding in 1959 by Benjamin Harkarvy, Aart Verstegen and Carel Birnie, together with 18 dissenng dancers from the Naonal Ballet of Holland, and it connues to guide the company today. Over the years NDT has built a rich repertoire of some 600 works that have become classics, created by master choreographers who have helped shape the history of contemporary dance. For a dancer or a choreographer, performing with NDT or being invited to create a work for the company means joining an illustrious pantheon that’s unique in the world.

Following the founders, Jiří Kylián added his own vision in the 1980s and ’90s, giving the company a disnct choreographic profile. He notably focused on talent development within NDT 1, the principal company of mature dancers between the ages of 24 and 42, and NDT 2, a training ground for young dancers aspiring to join NDT 1. Kylián was succeeded by Hans van Manen, then (in 2002) by house choreographers Sol León and Paul Lighoot. Appointed arsc director in 2011, Lighoot regularly features such accomplished guest choreographers as Marco Goecke, Hofesh Shechter and Crystal Pite. With six full programs and nine world premieres in the 2015–16 season alone, NDT 1 remains one of the most prolific and sought‐aer companies in the world. For NDT, idiosyncrasy means high standards, invenveness, creavity and originality—and constant evoluon. “The NDT remains a leader on the internaonal dance scene, a posion that can be challenging to retain. Among other achievements, the company succeeded in maintaining its momentum aer the departure of Jiří Kylián, a crical and risky transion.

Since 1998, Danse Danse has followed its dream of inving the world’s foremost dance companies to Montreal, and we are very proud to bring back the NDT aer a 20‐year hiatus. As we approach our 20th anniversary, it’s also a way to thank our audiences for their enduring loyalty. With this eclecc and capvang triple bill, we’re pleased to offer you a truly memorable evening.”

Caroline Ohrt and Pierre Des Marais

CREDITS: Sehnsucht Music Ludwig van Beethoven Pianoconcerto Nr. 3 in C‐minor, Opus 37: Movement II: Largo. Symphony Nr. 5 in C‐minor, Opus 67: Movement III: Allegro and Movement IV: Allegro‐Presto. Pianoconcerto Nr. 4 in G‐major. Opus 58: Movement II: Andante con Moto. Recording by Berliner Philharmoniker conducted by Herbert von Karajan (Symphony Nr. 5) and conducted by Claudio Abbado (Pianoconcertos Nr. 3 & 4); pianist Maurizio Pollini.Lighng Tom Bevoort. Costumes and decor Sol León, Paul Lighoot. World premiere 7 May 2009, Lucent Danstheater, The Hague. World premiere extended version 25 November 2010, Lucent Danstheater, The Hague. In the Event Music Owen Belton‐ new composion; piano recording Jan Schouten. Decor Jay Gower Taylor. Costumes Crystal Pite, Joke Visser. World premiere 16 April 2015, Lucent Danstheater The Hague. Stop‐Moon Music Max Richter Ocean House Mirror, Powder Pills Truth, He is here, Everything is burning, November, Monologue, A lover’s complaint, On the Shore, End tle, Sorrow Atoms, How to die in Oregon. Lighng To m Bevoort. Decor Sol León, Paul Lighoot. Costumes Joke Visser, Hermien Hollander. Video Sol León, Paul Lighoot (concept), Rahi Rezvani (camera and direcon), Dicky Schuel (camera), Dicky Schuel, Harmen Straatman (eding). World premiere 29 January 2014, Lucent Danstheater, Den Haag.

Tickets start at $41,50 Place des Arts Box office : 514.842.2112 / 1 866.842.2112 UPCOMING SHOW

TENTACLE TRIBE

Fractals of You

Emmanuelle Le Phân, Elon Höglund

Cinquième Salle, Place des Arts November 15 ‐ 19, 2016 ‐ 8 p.m.

Video excerpts, photos, full credits and various related hyperlinks available on:

DANSEDANSE.CA

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