"Strawinsky inspires" - Ballet in Stuttgart (16-01-05)

Stravinsky inspired

Coming from one of the poorest towns in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa, Stuttgart Ballet was an inspiration to me. I have never seen Ballet in my life and I did not know that it could be so perfect, lovely and so inspiring.

Ballet in Stuttgart dates back to the 16th century and it improved as the centuries went by. Stravinsky was one of the prominent composers of the 20th century. What made him so popular was the ability to modernise the traditional ballet music but his work was met with both astonishment and hostility by the people who preferred the traditional music taste.

I did not understand the story or the message that the dancers were trying to convey, but I liked the way they were dancing, their dance uniforms and their flexible bodies. I think the orchestra was the best. It needs great commitment and hard work to be a ballet dancer and to be able to do the dances with such great compassion, perfection, and integrity. The hall is so beautifully and artistically designed, I wish we could have something similar back home. I LOVED THE BALLET!!

(Report by M. Weziwe Mpongwana, University of Transkei)