BERLIN STAATSBALLET • DEUTSCHE OPER
★★★★★☆
Photo : Admill Kuyler
REVIEW MINUS 16: BERLIN STATE BALLET BREAKS THE CODE
Germany’s capital is blessed with its Staatsballet, which, led by the outstanding Christian Spuck, offers modern dance that breaks the code and opens up a narrow genre to a wide audience. Once again, I was overwhelmed by the bodies, the movement, the insistent, powerful music and the spectacular mass choreography.
Artistic director Christian Spuck was hired after great success in Zurich and has most recently signed up the hyped choreographer Marcos Morau as Artist In Residence. We can hardly wait for the premiere of Morau’s new work Wunderkammer, which opens on 31 October.
Photo : Admill Kuyler
Right now, it’s time to revisit SAABA by internationally renowned choreographer Sharon Eyal in a double bill with Israeli choreographer Ohad Naharin’s Minus 16. Both works exude unheard-of energy and synchronicity that will take the breath away from even the most hardened denier of modern dance.
Photo : Admill Kuyler
Plot in the traditional sense can be difficult to discern at times, but that is not the point. Often, it is precisely about the wordless interpretation of feelings and moods, which in this production is executed in such a way that you simply have to surrender to the large company in strong, spectacular stage images that draw huge applause from a packed Deutsche Oper.
Photo : Admill Kuyler
SAABA by female choreographer Sharon Eyal, one of the world’s most sought-after choreographers, explores different emotional spaces, connecting hope and vulnerability on an introspective journey where fragility and strength coexist. Composer Ori Lichtik is responsible for a captivating soundtrack in a lively genre mix with an almost hypnotic, pulsating power.
Photo : Admill Kuyler
Ballet and dance companies around the world collaborate with Ohad Naharin, who has been a prominent figure in the dance world for many years. His half-hour piece Minus 16 is a lively choreography for a large ensemble in which the dancers move with great personal flair, known as the Gaga method, with exuberant, acrobatic daring to the sound of infectious rhythmic music, including Cuban music. A tribute to the joy of life that fascinates both dancers and audience alike.
What an evening! Five stars from GOT TO SEE THIS.
PS. I highly recommend keeping an eye on the ballet’s website your next trip to Berlin.
