Synopsis:

Eine Winterreise – A Winter Journey – is an introspective piece dealing with solitude and romance in today's society. The ballet depicts a journey to the inner self and reflects upon isolation.

Winterreise was originally composed by Franz Schubert in 1828 from poems written by Wilhelm Muller in 1823. It is one of the leading works from the Romantic Period. Many versions have been recorded and performed, most notably that of the very famous duo Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau and Gerald Moore.

I was inspired to create this ballet when I found an alternative recording of Winterreise performed on saxophone and piano by Yuri Honing and Nora Milder. At first I was intrigued then it became a revelation.The music took on a totally new dimension. It had sensuality mixed with devastating nostalgia. The jazz tones and accents blend into a romantic tapestry reminiscent of the early 19th century. It is surprising and audacious. A pure delight.

Although Romanticism relates to the early 19th century the theme is universal and contemporary. Jazz uniquely defines nostalgia, heartbreak and loneliness....in short....The blues. For me this musical style feels the closest to romanticism.

By combining jazz and Schubert's original score I wish to choreograph my own vision of Winterreise and, using a resolutely modern approach, show how these feelings lead to a longing for death.

My aim is to create a piece which depicts the dreadful yet powerful journey that is Winterreise.

Where and when:

Brotfabrik, Bonn

7th and 8th of February 2014, at 20:00.

The freelance artistic community in Bonn searched for many years for a rehearsal and performance venue. In 1985 their search was successful. They found the former Germania Brotfabrik in Bonn-Beuel.

In the following years the 2500 sq mtr Brotfabrik became home to a "Classical" Social/Cultural centre for artistic groups and freelance performers complete with theatre, cinema, studios and rehearsal rooms.

Dancers:

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Ann-Kathrin Adam was trained at the John Cranko School in Stuttgart. In 2005 she joined the Ballet of the Deutsche Oper am Rhein under the direction of Yuri Vàmos, and in 2008 she was promoted to Soloist. Martin Schläpfer transferred her into his newly formed Ballet am Rhein in 2009. Her solo roles with the company includes ballets by George Balanchine, Hans van Manen, Jiří Kylián, Martin Schläpfer, Twyla Tharp, Youri Vàmos and Anna Vita.

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A Dutchman born in Jamaica, Rashaen Arts was trained at the National Ballet Academy in Amsterdam. After spending one season at Europa Danse in Paris and Ballet Chicago Studio Company, he moved to Introdans in Arnhem in 2011. Beside choreographies by Nils Christe (“Le Sacre du Printemps” and “Fünf Gedichte”) his repertory includes “Noces” by Stijn Celis, “Paradise?” by Gisela Rocha, “Por Vos Muero” by Nacho Duato and the lead in Twyla Tharp’s “Junk Duet” among others. Martin Schläpfer invited Rashaen Arts to join his Ballett am Rhein as of the 2013/14 season.

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Friedrich Pohl was born in Berlin. After various dancing lessons he attended numerous classes and workshops at the specialised dance training centre DANCEWORKS Berlin. Parallel to this, he took part in various social dance projects such as Royston Maldoom’s “Carmina Burana” and “Surrogate Cities” by Mathilde Monnier, both events organised by the Berlin Philharmonic under Sir Simon Rattle, and carried out an internship with the lis:sanga dance company, where among other pieces, he danced in Maurice Béjart’s “Ballet for Life”. With a scholarship from the Pierino Ambrosoli Foundation of Zürich, he undertook a two-year Bachelor course at the codarts Rotterdam Dance Academy. Since 2006 he has taken part in works by choreographers including Jiří Kylián, Nacho Duato, Regina van Berkel, Mauro Bigonzetti, Martino Müller and Xin Peng Wang. After two apprenticeships at the Luzern Theatre in 2011/12 and at Ballett Dortmund last season, in September 2013 he begins his first professional engagement as a member of Ballett am Rhein.

Set Designer:

Dutch artist Felix Aarts graduated from the Royal Conservatory in the Netherlands with a Bachelors in Ballet. He has been engaged by companies such as the State Opera Ballet Berlin, the Ballet du Rhin and the Leipzig Ballet, dancing many soloist roles and collaborating with international choreographers. In 2009 he joined the studio program at the Strykejernet Art School in Oslo, Norway. In 2013 he graduated from Pratt Institute Brooklyn, NY with an MFA in Painting. Felix Aarts has been working as a visual artist, choreographer, photographer and performer internationally.

www.felixaarts.com

Lightning concept:

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An abstract tree-like structure that arises most likely from the stage upwards towards the sealing. Placed in the back of the stage, either stage right, stage middle or stage left.The structure will be created out of fluorescent lights that can be connected to each other in separate groups. Therefor they can light up all as one creating a big sea of white light or in smaller sections setting an atmosphere.

A second structure will be place more front stage, creating a path-like structure on the ground that might form into a smaller sculpture like form. Maybe the tree and the path form one form once all lights are on.When only a few lights are on they will be like floating lights in the the sky.