The Greek National Opera (GNO) Ballet returns for the second consecutive year to the Vamvakou Experience Festival to present a modern dance diptych titled “Return of the Summer”, choreographed by Ioannis Mandafounis and Konstantinos Rigos. “Point of No Return” by Ioannis Mandafounis on music by Giorgos Koumendakis converses with “Les Nuits d’été”, a work by the GNO Ballet director Konstantinos Rigos, on music by Hector Berlioz, comprising an impressive modern dance program overflowing with dynamism and energy. Music is pre-recorded in both works.
Point of No Return
In “Point of No Return”, internationally acclaimed dancer and choreographer Ioannis Mandafounis composes a modern dance piece out of kinetic elements deeply rooted in the classical ballet tradition. To the tune of the music of Giorgos Koumendakis, the GNO Ballet dancers focus on the transparency and authenticity of their moves through the prism of classical ballet steps. Although the collective experience of their bodies reflects a highly classical choreographic approach, one may discern in the performers a personal touch and a particularly contemporary approach to the presence and interpretation of movement, evident elements that indicate the choreographer’s regular touch in each new work.
Les Nuits d’été
The celebrated cycle “Les Nuits d’été” is one of Hector Berlioz’s most popular works. The leading French composer has written six songs for voice and piano, based on poetry by Théophile Gautier, seeking to musically render, through his delicate melodies, love in its most idealized form. Based on the song cycle of the same title, Konstantinos Rigos creates with the GNO Ballet a work about love, loneliness, the quest and journey. Gestures and forms create a kaleidoscope of our inner summer. “Les Nuits d’été” is a work of reminiscence about all those nights we love, all those nights we have fallen in love with, dreamt of, experienced… It is about the fluidity of relationships and how everything could evolve under the moonlight. With references to Romanticism and the classical dance technique, dancers dive into the black sea waters and the blackness of sensations and delusions” as Konstantinos Rigos notes.
Point of No Return
In “Point of No Return”, internationally acclaimed dancer and choreographer Ioannis Mandafounis composes a modern dance piece out of kinetic elements deeply rooted in the classical ballet tradition. To the tune of the music of Giorgos Koumendakis, the GNO Ballet dancers focus on the transparency and authenticity of their moves through the prism of classical ballet steps. Although the collective experience of their bodies reflects a highly classical choreographic approach, one may discern in the performers a personal touch and a particularly contemporary approach to the presence and interpretation of movement, evident elements that indicate the choreographer’s regular touch in each new work.
Credits:
Choreography – Costume supervisor: Ioannis Mandafounis | Music: Giorgos Koumendakis | Lighting designer: Christos Tziogkas
With the participation of the GNO Ballet Dancers | Women: Elena Kekkou, Marita Nikolitsa, Marta Rivero-De Miranda, Eleftheria Stamou, Alicia Townsend, Despina Chrisostomou | Men: Stelios Katopodis, Manex Alberdi, Giannis Gantsios, Giannis Mitrakis, Daniele Pecorari, Stefano Pietragalla, Giorgos Chatzopoulos
The piece is performed by Antonis Sousamoglou (violin), David Bogorad (violin), Thanasis Sourgounis (viola), Giannis Stefos (cello).
Les Nuits d’été
The celebrated cycle “Les Nuits d’été” is one of Hector Berlioz’s most popular works. The leading French composer has written six songs for voice and piano, based on poetry by Théophile Gautier, seeking to musically render, through his delicate melodies, love in its most idealized form. Based on the song cycle of the same title, Konstantinos Rigos creates with the GNO Ballet a work about love, loneliness, the quest and journey. Gestures and forms create a kaleidoscope of our inner summer. “Les Nuits d’été” is a work of reminiscence about all those nights we love, all those nights we have fallen in love with, dreamt of, experienced… It is about the fluidity of relationships and how everything could evolve under the moonlight. With references to Romanticism and the classical dance technique, dancers dive into the black sea waters and the blackness of sensations and delusions” as Konstantinos Rigos notes.
Credits:
Choreography – Set: Konstantinos Rigos | Music: Hector Berlioz | Lyrics: Théophile Gautier | Costumes: Deux Hommes | Lighting designer: Christos Tziogkas
Dancers: Vangelis Bikos, Elena Kekkou, Despina Chrysostomou, Marita Nikolitsa, Eleftheria Stamou, Manes Alberdi, Giannis Gantsios, Stefano Pietragalla, Giannis Mitrakis
The piece is performed by Tassis Christoyannis (baritone), Sofia Tamvakopoulou (piano).
