Description

<p>"Dancer of the Century," "Icon"... all superlatives have been used to describe Martha Graham. Her approach to dance and theater, and her innovative physical vocabulary, have irrevocably influenced dance worldwide. As prolific as she was complex, she created 181 ballets as a choreographer and a dance technique that has been compared to ballet in its scope and breadth.</p><p> During this tour, 18 dancers will perform both iconic works by Martha Graham and more recent ballets by contemporary artists, never before presented in France.</p><p> <strong>Two programs will be offered alternately:</strong><br><br> Program A consists of two masterpieces by Martha Graham: Cave of the Heart and Errand into the Maze, which feature two heroines from Greek mythology (Medea and Ariadne); and CAVE by Hofesh Shechter, where the choreographer takes hold of rave dance.<br><br> Program B also includes two major works by Martha Graham: Diversion of Angels and Chronicle, in which she tackles universal themes such as love and war; and We the People by Jamar Roberts, a reminder that the power of collective change belongs to the people.<br><br><br> PROGRAM B</p><p> • Diversion of Angels by Martha Graham (20 minutes)</p><p> Martha Graham once described Diversion of Angels as representing three aspects of love: the couple in white represents mature love in perfect balance, the couple in red erotic love, and the couple in yellow adolescent love. The dance follows no story. Its action takes place in the imaginary garden that love creates for itself. Originally, the ballet was called Wilderness Stair.</p><p> Ballet first presented on August 13, 1948 at the Palmer Auditorium, New London, Connecticut.</p><p> • We The People by Jamar Roberts (22 minutes)</p><p> Premiering in February 2024, this 21st-century Americana dance references and resonates with our history. Its new score by Rhiannon Giddens, arranged by Gabe Witcher, offers the historic sound of American folk music. Jamar Roberts' choreography is very contemporary and provides a counterpoint to the music. The choreographer has stated that "We the People" is both a protest and a lament, reflecting on how America doesn't always deliver on its promises. Set against the backdrop of traditional American music, "We the People" hopes to remind us that the power for collective change belongs to the people.</p><p> • Chronicle of Martha Graham (35 minutes)</p><p> Chronicle does not attempt to depict the realities of war; rather, it evokes its images, exposes its fatal prelude, portrays the devastation of the spirit it leaves in its wake, and suggests a response. It is one of the few dances by Martha Graham that can be said to explicitly express political ideas, but, unlike Immediate Tragedy (1937) and Deep Song (1937), dances she created in response to the Spanish Civil War, this dance is not a realistic representation of events. The intention is to universalize the tragedy of war.</p><p> Ballet presented for the first time on December 20, 1936 at the Guild Theater in New York.</p> To mark the company's centenary and after a 7-year absence from France, the Martha Graham Dance Company announces its grand return to the stage with a series of exceptional performances.