Neumeier is considered as one of the greatest living choreographers of the 21st century. His astounding volume of work, consisting of some 120 ballets mostly created for the Hamburg Ballet, has been performed by the world's leading ballet companies. His style is diverse and includes full-length dramatic ballets, as well as pure dance ballets. Originally from the US, Neumeier spent most of his professional career in Europe. He danced under prominent South African choreographer John Cranko at Stuttgart Ballet, who encouraged him to start choreographing. At the age of 27 he was appointed Artistic Director of Frankfurt Ballet - at the time the youngest person to fulfil such an important position. In 1973 he became the Director of Hamburg Ballet and under his leadership it has become one of the top ballet companies in Europe, gaining a highly respected international reputation.
Spring & Fall will consist of three Neumeier works: Spring and Fall, Vaslav, and Le Sacre. Created in 1994, Spring and Fall is a lyrical piece danced to Dvorák's stirring Serenade for Strings in E major Op. 22, one of the composer's most beloved compositions. Vaslav is dedicated to the fascinating life and work of legendary dancer and choreographer, Vaslav Nijinsky. One of John Neumeier's first ballets, the work brought him into prominence as a choreographer. Throughout his career Neumeier has been fascinated by Nijinsky and he owns a large collection of Nijinsky memorabilia, housed at the Foundation John Neumeier. In Vaslav, set to music by Johan Sebastian Bach, the dancers perform to the accompaniment of a live pianist on stage.
Le Sacre is danced to Igor Stravinski's highly dramatic and primeval composition, The Rite of Spring (Le Sacre du Printemps), one of the most influential orchestral works of the 20th century. The original idea for the ballet came to Stravinsky in his sleep, dreaming about an ancient ritual in which a young girl is chosen as a sacrificial victim. She dances herself to death in order to bring forth the onset of spring. The original ballet, which caused riots in the streets of Paris when it premiered in 1913, was created for the famous Ballet Russes by Vaslav Nijinsky and produced by Sergei Diaghilev. Since then, many choreographers have created their own versions, set to the exquisite composition. Neumeier's version is considered one of his strongest works and hailed as one of his most fascinating choreographies.
Two star dancers from Hamburg Ballet, Silvia Azzoni and Alexander Riabko, join the Cape Town City Ballet company for the production and will appear in every performance. The Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra will play at all performances, with pianist Pieter Rooi accompanying Vaslav.
Bookings are now open for Spring & Fall, presented by the Cape Town City Ballet in collaboration with Hamburg Ballet, at the Artscape Opera House from 26 to 30 September for five performances only. Book at Computicket 0861 915 8000 or Artscape Dial-a-Seat +27 (0)21 421 7695. Tickets from R120 to R280.
