In the early 20th century, Russian impresario Serge Diaghilev brought his innovative mix of dance, music and visual art to Paris, revitalizing the arts scene and revolutionizing the future of dance. His Ballets Russes married dancers such as Anna Pavlova and Vaslav Nijinsky with composers like Igor Stravinsky and Claude Debussy, and visual artists including Picasso and Matisse.
"Diaghilev injected new life into dance in Europe," says Tyler Walters, associate professor of the practice in Duke University's dance program, noting that Diaghilev's work influenced Parisian culture -- from fashion to design to music -- for decades. "The works were so visually spectacular with the amazing artists and the music was really important. It burst on the scene where there was a vacuum."
One hundred years later, Diaghilev's work continues to resonate, with the centenary of the Ballets Russes inspiring a series of events around the world including exhibitions and performances that began last year. The Duke dance program pays homage to Diaghilev at the 2010 ChoreoLab performances this Saturday, April 24, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, April 25, at 3 p.m. in Reynolds Theater at Duke's Bryan Center.
Faculty choreographers including Walters and student dancers from Duke's dance program worked together with graduate composition students in Duke's music department and the external visiting musical group So Percussion on this year's ChoreoLab performance.
"This is the first time dance and music collaborated on a project that uses courses in both areas to develop new music and choreography for a main stage production," says Scott Lindroth, vice provost for the arts and professor of music.
Last semester, Lindroth taught a course focused on composing music for choreography in preparation for the ChoreoLab performances that included guest presentations by members of the dance faculty and brought student composers together with choreographers to learn how music interacts with movement.
Lindroth's office also helped support the return of So Percussion to campus for a residency with a Visiting Artist Grant.
So Percussion, who will perform both their own works and the student compositions live during the dance performances at ChoreoLab, visited Duke in February to work directly with the composers. They return this week for a series of workshops in the Durham public schools and rehearsals with the Duke dancers, choreographers and composers.
"As a group we are looking to get integrated in a circuit that deals with theater and dance and music and the visual arts in a bigger way," says So Percussion member Jason Treuting. "To find that happening at a school [like Duke] in a really successful way is awesome."
Second year graduate student David Garner, who composed a piece of eclectic folk music titled "Kitchen Session Fantasy" for the performance, says while he is used to working with other musicians like So Percussion, adding the dance component was something new.
"I think the collaborative process forces you to listen to music differently when there's some sort of visual component added," he says. "You have a whole other level of interaction and stimulation going on on stage and that can direct how you make the music."
Working with Garner and his composition, dance program alumna Audrey Fenske choreographed a dance based on the work "Les Noces" that Branislava Najinska choreographed for Diaghilev's Ballets Russes. Najinska's piece, performed to the music of Igor Stravinsky, is about a traditional Russian wedding "completely stripped of all emotion and joy," says Fenske.
But after talking to Garner about his more upbeat, energetic folk music, Fenske decided to focus on the joy and happiness of the wedding ceremony.
"This is what the arts are about," she says. "They really flourish when they collaborate with each other. It brings out the best in all different art forms. This is going to be a real spark to continue that collaboration between all these departments."
Dance professor and choreographer Barbara Dickinson says conceiving the performance in the spirit of Diaghilev's work not only teaches students about the collaborative process but also how to create new work from artistic movements in the past.
"You can go back and study the past and build phenomenally new and exciting things on that," she says.
For additional information or to purchase tickets to ChoreoLab, contact the Duke Box Office at 919-684-4444 or visit danceprogram.duke.edu or choreolab2010.wordpress.com.
Duke employees can purchase tickets at the discounted rate of $10. Select seats at the Duke employee rate and present your Duke ID when picking up your tickets at the box office to redeem this special offer. Tickets are normally $15. Discount not valid on senior or student priced tickets.