PEARL

choreography: Ed Wubbe
costumes: Pamela Homoet
music: Baroque
performed by: Combattimento consort Amsterdam, contralto Helena Rasker (on the premiere), countertenor Maarten Engeltjes, or contraltoNoa Frenkel

The world première of Ed Wubbe’s new Baroque programme, with live music by the Combattimento Consort, conducted by Jan Willem de Vriend

Ed Wubbe’s love of Baroque music and the Scapino tradition of working with music ensembles is a brilliant jumping off point for this production. Hot on the heels of celebrated Baroque classics ‘Perfect Skin’ and ‘Rameau’, Ed Wubbe has created a new Baroque programme with live music by the world-acclaimed Baroque orchestra Combattimento Consort. Working with dancers to the accompaniment of live music, Ed Wubbe is sublimely at ease. Theatrical productions such as this allow Wubbe to unleash his stage wizardry, bewitching audiences with a sublime melding of music, dance and design. Ever the perfectionist, Wubbe worked with the Consort to find lesser known Baroque masterpieces, in addition to Bach’s much-loved treasures.

Ed Wubbe has created an incredible body of work – choreographies with a distinctive, off-beat character like ‘Romeo&Juliet’, ‘Nico’ and ‘Holland’. The echoes of the success of ‘Songs for Drella’ still resound. And, after many years and innumerable requests, this season Scapino is proud to announce the return of the classic production ‘Kathleen’. The performances of the Combattimento Consort Amsterdam with conductor Jan Willem de Vriend are known for their fire, passion and for the sheer musical verve of the musicians and originality of the ensemble’s presentation. Also referred to as the ‘Combattimento School’, their style is instantly recognizable and is energetic, inventive, style-savvy and inspiring. And, just as Scapino Ballet Rotterdam uses dance to connect with its audiences, the ensemble optimises its refreshing musical quirkiness to build a bridge between players and audience.

Première: Thursday 9 February 2012, Rotterdamse Schouwburg
Plays: Friday 3 February - Sunday 8 April 2012