ALTRO CANTO 1
VERS UN PAYS SAGE

For their first show of the season in Monaco, Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo are performing two iconic pieces of Jean- Christophe Maillot’s repertoire. Each in its way exalts the bodies of dancers. While Altro Canto 1 magnifies their androgynous shapes by candlelight, Vers un Pays Sage is a moment of pure physicality which hunts down the least bit of downtime to better celebrate life.

"ALTRO CANTO 1" Chor. Maillot | READ MORE
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..

Choreography: Jean-Christophe Maillot
Music: Claudio Monterverdi, Biagio Marini, Giovanni Girolamo Kapsberger
Music played by Akademia conducted by Françoise Lasserre
Costumes: Karl Lagerfeld
Scenography: Rolf Sachs
Lighting: Dominique Drillot
Premiere held on April 19th 2006, Grimaldi Forum Monaco
Duration: 38 min

"VERS UN PAYS SAGE" Chor. Maillot | READ MORE
Jean-Christophe Maillot created Vers un Pays Sage in tribute to his father, the painter Jean Maillot, who died at a young age. The renowned passionate, workaholic colourist produced nearly 260 paintings, scenery and opera costumes. The energy that he devoted to his painting and life in general, is the common thread running through this ballet piece of rare physicality. Vers un Pays Sage is based on the frenetic music of John Adams. It does not allow the dancers the slightest respite. He sets them the challenge of reaching the end of the ballet… making it over the finish line...

Choreography: Jean-Christophe Maillot
Scenography: Jean-Christophe Maillot, Dominique Drillot
Costumes: Jean-Christophe Maillot, Jean-Michel Lainé
Lighting: Dominique Drillot
Music: John Adams
Picture from an original painting of Jean Maillot
Premiere held on December 29th 1995, Salle Garnier Opéra de Monte-Carlo
Duration: 28 min