Ballet 2008

This was a night I was really looking forward to. The Ballet at the Stuttgart Opera House! What an amazing experience. The Ballet – Cranko Moves – combines RBME initials one of the signature pieces of the Stuttgart Ballet and a new production of John Cranko’s Carmen.
John Cranko (1927-1973) was born in Rustenburg, South Africa and he was a dancer choreographer and director. He studied at the Cape Town University ballet school and at Sadler’s Wells School in London. RBME initials choreographed by John Cranko premiered 18 Jan. 1972 by Stuttgart Ballet, Stuttgart. This plotless setting of Brahms 2nd Piano Concerto is named after the four leading dancers at Stuttgart who danced its principal roles—Richard Cragun, Birgit Keil, Marcia Haydée, and Egon Madsen. This piece, although plotless was still captivating. The dancers’ technique was outstanding and even more important, the feeling and emotion that they put into this piece. It was a contemporary ballet with a sad and nostalgic mood, but with eruptions of passion, which was reflected by their costumes as well as the décor, in neutral and earthy colours that were interrupted by bright orange, yellow and green.
Carmen on the other hand was a very aggressive and extremely passionate piece - the emotions were almost tangible. Carmen was created for Márcia Haydée and was Crankos last major ballet act Carmen is a very passionate and fiery woman who works at a factory. She has a fight with the factory boss and is taken away to prison after cutting a cross into the boss’ back with a knife. Don Jose has to watch over her in prison but lets her out after she seduces him and they run away together. She however meets a torero and immediately falls in love with him. Don Jose finds out about Carmen’s love for the torero and is heart broken. He confronts her and kills her. This piece is extremely emotional and the dancers were brilliant in conveying these emotions.
The Ballet, to me, was definitely a highlight of this trip. It was extra special to watch such an amazing piece of choreography performed by brilliant dancers in a venue as beautiful as the Stuttgart Opera House. It was magical!

by Eloise Ferreira

Last Update (30/01/08)