Classical ballet had been the SDT’s weak point, however, the company’s premiere of Divertimento No 15 by George Balanchine was beautifully executed (except for a pairing that had awkward hand holding).
The second piece was the world premiere of Chant, a new work especially for SDT by Val Caniparoli. It feature sexy costumes by award winning designer Sandra Woodall and an intriguing music by composer Lou Harrison, titled Double Concerto for Violin and Cello with Javanese Gamelan (1981/82). Caniparoli is closely associated with San Francisco Ballet where he began his career as a dancer and was later appointed resident choreographer. His new contemporary piece had a dark and sexy edge, with the touch of gamelan music giving it a very Asian feel.
The second piece was the world premiere of Chant, a new work especially for SDT by Val Caniparoli. It feature sexy costumes by award winning designer Sandra Woodall and an intriguing music by composer Lou Harrison, titled Double Concerto for Violin and Cello with Javanese Gamelan (1981/82). Caniparoli is closely associated with San Francisco Ballet where he began his career as a dancer and was later appointed resident choreographer. His new contemporary piece had a dark and sexy edge, with the touch of gamelan music giving it a very Asian feel.
However, the piece de resistance was the 2008 Age of Innocence by American Taiwanese choreographer Edwaard Liang. The piece was inspired by the novels of Jane Austen and women of her era and tried to encapsulate the complicated male-female relationships. It was pure magic on stage with the second of two 'pas de deux' beautifully executed by the two dancers fully committing to portray hopeless longing (reinforced by steering cellos)
Three pieces I would definitely pay to watch again! A shame the SDT’s only put those over two nights.. Something words of mouth take a little longer to work their magic. But after shunning its recent productions, I can’t wait for their next one.