When Stravinsky composed “The Firebird” and “The Rite of Spring”, both ballets were relatively successful. It was such because the Russian composer created a music that trapped and shocked with an energetic and almost unmanageable rhythm for those who tried to take to the dance. It was peculiar, something never seen before and, for that reason, Stravinsky was a genius. To bring it to ballet is quite a challenge but the Zaragozan company LaMov felt that now, after 16 years in which it has become a national reference, it was time. And that’s why they will get on the November 7 to 10 on the boards of the Teatro Principal to demonstrate that maturity of which its director, Víctor Jiménez, spoke this Tuesday at the press conference.
Jiménez will not be alone in front of these two masterpieces of Stravinsky but the prestigious Portuguese choreographer Olga Roriz has taken the helm and directed the ballet “The Rite of Spring” while the former student of Victor Ullate has directed “The Firebird”. Two works that, as recognized by the manager of the Patronato de Artes Escénicas, José María Turmo, “are not within everyone’s reach”.
Stranvinsky revolutionized the world of dance. and that is why this premiere is “a before and after in LaMov”. “We felt that now, after 16 years we already had a trade and we were already able to show a forceful proposal and with the highest quality we can give. The dancers have had an almost military training because they are very demanding ballets, with a frenetic rhythm and a different tempo, different,” explained Jiménez.
This is not the first time Jiménez has approached this piece, having danced it many years ago when it was choreographed by Maurice Béjart for the Béjart Ballet. The proposal to be premiered at the Principal will open with “El pájaro de fuego”. and will close with “La consagración de la primavera”. “We wanted it that way because the first part is much more physical, it has a much more frenetic rhythm, while the part directed by Olga is much more human, of sternum, viscera and guts,” Jiménez acknowledged.
The prestigious Portuguese choreographer could not find the right words to define the music of the Russian composer. “It is such a powerful music, so strong, that it drags you, it hits you. It comes from inside the heart, from the deepest.” expressed the dancer. In addition, she recalled how in her 20s she already stood out in the classes because all her classmates marked Stravinsky’s rhythm in one way while she did it in another. “I haven’t changed anything in history because Stravinsky already made it perfect as it was,” she said.
“The Rite of Spring” tells of a young girl sacrificed in a pagan ritual to ensure spring while “The Firebird” tells the story of the phoenix rising from its ashes. “All of LaMov’s works have been premiered at the Teatro Principal, a company already recognized on the international scene that enjoys prestige and will bring dance here to the Principal,” explained the manager of the Patronato de Artes Escénicas, José María Turmo.
The performance will take place at 20.00 from Thursday to Saturday while Sunday will be at 19.00 and is priced at 25 euros.