Dansprogram

In Bloom – a rite of spring

The French street dance group Chute Libre takes on *The Rite of Spring*, one of the world’s most famous orchestral works. “In Bloom – a rite of spring” is a performance that offers a symphony of hip-hop’s various dance styles in a fusion with Stravinsky’s iconic 1913 composition.

Artistic Team


Annabelle Loiseau and Pierre Bolo are two choreographers who are one.
Their personalities and complementary qualities form the foundation of their choreographic expression. Their works are different every time, despite their distinct choreographic and musical signatures. From the everyday life of the kitchen to the anarchy of dancing bodies, from a sliding surface to the haste of the present—they engage in various ways to understand the stage space, to bring to life a concept, a musical work, or a text. In an ever-changing world, they never stop navigating through evolving physicalities—they continue to transform themselves in order to create even more.

“Our work lies somewhere between abstraction and storytelling; the challenge lies in interpreting the dance. First and foremost are the space and the light, which shape both the individual moments and the whole. Our hip-hop DNA emphasizes tempo and posture, groove, and the group.”

Pictured: Annabelle Loiseau. Pierre Bolo is one of the dancers in tonight’s performance.

Credits

Choreography

Pierre Bolo and Annabelle Loiseau

Dancer

Kévin Ferré, Salem Mouhajir, Floriane Leblanc, Patrick Flégeo, Aida Boudriga, Andrège Bidiamambu, Gabriel Um Tegue, Lise Dusuel, Pierre Bolo, Florine Foucher.

Original music

Igor Stravinsky, orchestrated by Pierre Boulez, performed by the Cleveland Orchestra.

Musical adaptation

Yvan Talbot

Lighting Design

Veronique Hemberger

Suit

Annabelle Loiseau

Production

Marine Rioult and Tifenn Ezanno

Partners, co production and support

Ministry of culture, DRAC Pays de la Loire, Region of Pays de la Loire, Department of Loire Atlantique, City of Nantes, Musique et Danse in Loire Atlantique, scene nationale de Châteauvallon, Quai des Arts – Argentan CDN of Rouen, David Bobee – Scène Nationale of Petit Quevilly WIP Vilette as part of the Special Prize of the (Re)connaissance competition, CCN of Créteil and Val de Marne, Mourad Merzouki – Cie Käfig, CNDC Angers, ONYX-La Carrière – Saint-Herblain, Espace Culturel de l’Hermine – Sarzeau, SPEDIDAM, ADAMI, Institut français in Paris and the City of Nantes.

On stage

The company was founded in 2005 and has created more than a dozen works. French choreographers Annabelle Loiseau and Pierre Bolo have developed their artistic expression by working with thirty dancers, as well as lighting designers, musicians, actors, circus performers, and photographers… Their choreographic language lies between abstraction and narrative, with a focus on the interpretation of dance. They primarily use the choreographic vocabulary of hip-hop, followed by space and light to compose moments and wholes. Compagnie Chute Libre exudes musicality, muscular power, and movement—posture, gestures, groove, choreographic impulses, reflection, and instinct.



On stage, we see the dancers Kévin Ferré, Salem Mouhajir, Floriane Leblanc, Patrick Flégeo, Aida Boudriga, Andrège Bidiamambu, Gabriel Um Tegue, Lise Dusuel, Pierre Bolo, and Florine Foucher.

History of the Rite of Spring

When *The Rite of Spring* premiered in 1913 with the Russian Ballet in Paris, it caused a sensation. Both Stravinsky’s music and the dance itself were perceived as so provocative that the audience erupted in uproar. A commotion broke out in the auditorium, and the theater had to call the police.

Today, Stravinsky’s music is considered one of the most influential musical works of the 20th century. The ballet itself, however, fell into obscurity. Partly because it was not performed, and partly because the innovative choreographer Nijinsky had not written down how the work was to be performed. In 1987, the Joffrey Ballet in the U.S. finally staged a revival of Nijinsky’s scandalous choreography, after 18 years of reconstruction work.

Contemporary Interpretation


The dance company Chute Libre takes on Spring Sacrifice with their own interpretation of the iconic piece of music. Ten dancers, each with their own style, form a mosaic of untamed women and men, with bold energy, sensitivity, and rich detail. At times, it feels like a rave party. As if to protect themselves and their youth from the harsh realities of the outside world and of life, so that together they can grow and change—not by sacrificing someone but rather by making a joint sacrifice something. With earthy dance and a dream of flying, the dancers whirl across the stage, letting loose and blossoming. A monumental piece of music is brought back to life and given form.