Altro Canto 1

Halfway between the statuary of cathedrals and the twilight zone of a Georges de La Tour, Altro Canto is a work which uplifts the androgynous bodies following the dramatic accents of the Monteverdi Magnificat. Though Jean-Christophe Maillot does not necessarily develop a specific theme to lead his ballet, it is actually the score of the italian composer which is he true heartbeat of the piece. The music literally runs through the dancers. It echoes through them giving birth to a choreography where the bodies sway, vibrate, shift and ascend again and again on a spiritual quest of religious and pagan beliefs.

Hiding in the shadow of church statues, in between stained glass windows and capitals, hybrid and magic beings are never very far. Here the bodies are like fish and swim in the wave of an unreal ballet. The flesh goes back on what is sacred and winds between the golden spokes of a vault of candles which enlighten the stage with an almost tangible mystical effect. Nevertheless if there is a spiritual quest, Jean-Christophe Maillot keeps away from solitary asceticism. In Altro Canto, the elevation is truly physical and shared with. Ecstasy and Pietà intertwine into a virtuoso work which reveals a sacredness so dark as bright.

Choreography: Jean-Christophe Maillot
Music:
Claudio Monteverdi - Et Misericordia, fecit potentiam, Deposuit, Susceptit Israel, Sicut locutus est, Gloria Patri, Sicut erat (extraits du Magnificat-Vespro, 1610), Hor che'l ciel e la terra, Altri canti di Marte (8ème livre de madrigaux amoureux et guerriers), Interrotte speranze (7ème livre de madrigaux)
Biagio Marini - Sinfonia grave
Giovanni Girolamo Kapsberger - Colascione et Toccatat Arpeggiata
Music played by Akademia conducted by Françoise Lasserre

Costumes: Karl Lagerfeld
Scenography: Rolf Sachs
Lighting: Dominique Drillot
Duration: 38 min

Premiere held on April 19th 2006, Grimaldi Forum Monaco