Ballet Quad Cities will be performing Rite of Spring, Boléro & More at the Adler Theatre in Davenport, IA on April 22, 2023.
Conceived as a stage piece for both orchestra and ballet, The Rite of Spring is one of the 20th century’s most influential works. The musical score was composed by Igor Stravinsky, while the choreography was created by Russian dancer Vaslav Nijinksy. Despite its current recognition as a Stravinsky masterpiece, its premiere at the Paris Opera in 1913 was met with near riots due to the modernistic, avant-garde nature of the work. The original choreography was subsequently lost as WWI began and Nijinsky’s mental health declined.
The contrasting ballet Boléro was initially performed in Paris in 1928 to the musical score by French composer Maurice Ravel. Bronislava Nijinska – the younger sister of Vaslav Nijinksky - was the original choreographer.
Courtney Lyon, the Artistic Director of Ballet Quad Cities, has reinterpreted these classic works with her own abstract choreography. Listen to our conversation here about the process she uses when choreographing a work; the various ways in which dance with its myriad, intricate steps can be preserved for future performances; and the important role that Ballet Quad Cities plays here in our community.
Performances will be held Saturday, April 22nd at 2:30pm & 7:30pm at the Adler Theatre in Davenport. Tickets can be purchased online or at the Adler Theatre Box Office.
