Sigh | MARCO GOECKE

«I am having cramps, wait a moment», says the dancer George Oliveira during Marco Goecke’s rehearsal of a complicated and ultrafast new solo, which entirely takes place with the soloist lying on the floor. The choreographer has chosen a rather relaxed pop music from Bonnie «prince» Billy for this explosive earth-bound solo, which is embedded in a collage of sighing cello sounds. A few minutes later a group of dancers exhales loud and explicitly and their very deep breathing reminds also of a sighing.
Are they desperate or relieved ? Everyone has to decide for themselves. Goecke says : «I sometimes sigh in the evening, before I go to bed when I am exhausted from a long day», but then adds with a smile «but just in the evenings, never in the morning».

Like in all of his creations, the choreographer remains true to his principle of minimalism within his unique movement language and space structures as well as in his décor. He experiments with visibility and mystery – in incredibly fast movements as well as in half transparent costumes and a nebulous stage. However, the dance floor is white and when asked if this time he is going to create a brighter work of dance than usually, Goecke just quotes Bertolt Brecht : «Happiness is dark and runs fast, unhappiness on the contrary is long and bright».

"Sigh" | MARCO GOECKE
Choreography: Marco Goecke
Music: Pablo Casals, Peteris Vasks (Solo for Tatjana), Bonnie Prince Billy (albums : Master & Everyonen, The Letting go)
Set and costumes: Marco Goecke
Lighting: Udo Haberland:
Dramaturgy: Nadja Kadel

Premiere by Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo on July 16th 2014, Salle Garnier Opéra de Monte-Carlo