Dancers from the Cincinnati Ballet
Choreography by Heather Britt and Cincinnati Ballet dancers
Original music by Camille Saint-Saëns
New music by commissioned composers from Cincinnati and beyond
MAY The “zoololgical fantasy” of French composer Camille Saint-Saens’ gets a contemporary makeover in “Carnival of the Animals, a classic that has delighted audiences of all ages since 1886. A musical suite of fifteen movements with titles such as “Kangaroos”, “Aquarium” and the well-known “Swan”, the Carnival features two solo pianos against an ensemble of nine musicians. Humorous compositional elements parody the character of each animal: the “Elephant” contrabass, clipped xylophone skeletons in “Fossils”, the clucking staccato of “Hens and Cocks”.
concert:nova’s signature style of presenting chamber music with an unusual twist continues with the commissioning of fifteen composers to “respond” to each of the original movements. This team of composers is comprised of professionals and students, whose newly written movements will be heard in between those of Saint-Saens. As the composers have been encouraged to creatively pursue their own ideas and style of writing, the result is sure to be a true carnival of sounds and interpretations playing off the original.
In addition to teaming with composers, concert:nova will be joined by dancers of the Cincinnati Ballet. Led by principal ballerina Kristi Capps and dynamic choreographer Heather Britt, the dances will be choreographed to both the original and newly composed music to highlight in physical motion the inevitable contrasts between the two.
As always, the relentless spirit of collaboration which is at the heart of all concert:nova endeavors reaches new heights with this project of truly "carnival" proportions!
TICKETS : $25 general/ $15 student
PERFORMANCES: Sunday May 23, 2010 7pm & Monday May 24, 2010 8pm
at the Mickey Jarson Kaplan Performance Studio @ the Cincinnati Ballet
1555 Central Parkway (@ Liberty) Cincinnati, OH 45214
