Magic is in the air in this world premiere by the Dutch National Ballet. Resident choreographer Krzysztof Pastor has created a new, large-scale evening programme inspired by Shakespeare’s play The Tempest, which tells the story of the Duke Prospero who employs his magical powers to unleash a powerful storm and wreak his revenge on those who had exiled him. After Sheherazadein 2009, Pastor renews his collaboration with the Iranian-American photographer, film maker and video artist Shirin Neshat. The score is a mix of traditional music and compositions by baroque composer Henry Purcell and Shakespeare’s contemporary Thomas Tallis.
dates
Wed June 18 2014 10:15 PM
Fri June 20 2014 10:15 PM
Sat June 21 2014 10:15 PM
Wed June 25 2014 10:15 PM
Thu June 26 2014 10:15 PM
Fri June 27 2014 10:15 PM
Sun June 29 2014 4:00 PM
information
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Duration of performance unknown (zonder pauze)
For the 2014 Holland Festival, Dutch National Ballet presents a new production made by resident choreographer Krzysztof Pastor, freely inspired by Shakespeare’s The Tempest. For this performance, Pastor worked together with the celebrated Iranian visual artists Shirin Neshat and Shoja Azari. Shirin Neshat is renown worldwide for her poetic depictions with which she calls attention to the position of women. She was named “Artist of the Decade” by The Huffington Post in 2010.
Shakespeare’s magic
Pastor’s world premiere will not be be a literal representation of Shakespeare’s play. He will use elements and characters from the story, but for him it is more about the magic hidden within the theatrical text.
The story
The Tempest was first performed in 1611. The title refers to the storm caused by Prospero, the Duke of Milan. He is seeking to use the storm to get revenge – on the one side against his brother Antonio, and on the other hand against Alonso, the King of Naples. The two have banished him to an island, expecting him to be lost at sea. For twelve long years on the island, Prospero devotes himself to perfecting the art of magic. Then he takes control like a powerful director who’s pulling all the strings – the other characters are nothing more than marionettes under his power.
Music
For The Tempest, Pastor and Neshat will use compositions by Henry Purcell, Thomas Tallis, Robert Johnson, Matthew Locke and Michel van der Aa, as well as traditional Iranian music. The musical accompaniment is provided by Holland Symfonia, conducted by Matthew Rowe. With: Dave ten Kate (countertenor) and daf-player and actor Abbas Bakhtiari.
Introduction
Every performance of National Opera & Ballet is preceded by an introductory talk. Learn more, enjoy more. The introduction begins 45 minutes before curtain and is held in the foyer of the second balcony. The introduction is free of charge to everyone attending the performance, and amplification is used to enhance audibility. Several days prior to the premiere, the introduction will be made available digitally as a podcast. Check the performance page of the production in question to see if the podcast has already been made available.
