From Deseret News archives:

'The Rite of Spring'

Ballet West ends its season this month dancing to Stravinsky

Published: Saturday, April 3, 2004 8:06 p.m. MST
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
"The Rite of Spring" is choreographer Glen Tetley's masterwork, according to Bronwen Curry.

"It is one of his greatest ballets," Curry said during an interview in the Capitol Theatre before rehearsals. "The look, the style — although it was created in 1974, it looks like contemporary ballets as they look today."

Curry, a choreologist (one who preserves dance through written notation), works for Tetley, staging his ballets with various companies. "Glen was, and is, ahead of his time," she said. "He was an innovator. 'Rite of Spring' shows this. The lighting, the costumes — it's just wonderful."

Tetley's "The Rite of Spring" is one of four works to be presented in Ballet West's season closer, "Jubilation." The others include former Ballet West artistic director Bruce Mark's "Lark Ascending" and two Balanchine works, "Tchaikovsky Pas De Deux" and "Concerto Barocco."

Curry, who has staged "Rite of Spring" since 1992, said Tetley was one of the first choreographers to mix classical and contemporary styles. "His works are not the formal, rigid images in ballet. He used wonderful torso movements and arms. You can immediately recognize a Tetley work."

Story continues below
Tetley's "Rite of Spring" had its world premiere in Munich with the Bavarian State Opera Ballet on April 17, 1974, according to Tetley's biography by the American Ballet Theatre. The ballet was known then as "Le Sacre du Printemps."

ABT premiered the work in the United States on June 21, 1976, in the Metropolitan Opera House. It wasn't until May 5, 1992, when the title was changed to "Rite of Spring."

"It was shortly after I met Glen in 1978 that he wanted me to notate his ballets," said Curry. "I was working for the London Festival Ballet when I met him, and I started working for him as his assistant shortly after."

Tetley asked Curry to stage "Le Sacre du Printemps" for ABT in 1976. The male lead was danced by Mikhail Baryshnikov. "I was delighted to do that," said Curry, who has worked with everyone from Ronald Hynd to Rudolf Nureyev to Gelsey Kirkland. "Baryshnikov was a good dancer. He was pleasant to work with."

Ballet West artistic director Jonas Kåge has close ties with "Rite of Spring." Although he didn't perform the role of the Chosen One, he danced the Father figure when the Stuttgart Ballet did Tetley's version 30 years ago. "Glen has always been a part of my career development," Kåge said as he was preparing to observe rehearsals. "And this work is one of those works that really show off a company.

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

Image

Ballet West dancers rehearse "The Rite of Spring" at Capitol Theatre. The piece is one of four works to be presented in Ballet West's season closer, "Jubilation."

previousnext

Latest comments

Protests against Phoenix LDS temple

Easliy..I'm sure they meant that LDS people here in Utah are intolerant of...

Only in Utah would this story even make the news. Not everyone in...

I live here in Phoenix and have since 1977, I am a member and yet even I can...

Hall, Johnson matchup key

is meaningless, since most of Utah's wins came in the leather-helmet era...

Fans greet returning Real Salt Lake

No one ever faked an injury in the NBA? Or NFL? Please. Riots and...

Plenty on line for rivalry game

yah man max will totally wilt to a defense that allowed 55 points to one of...

Homicide charge filed in child's death

I'm sure there's a high correlation between illegal immigrants and crime in...

BYU's Lamb, Jorgensen reprimanded

Cut blocks are an issue when someones knee is irreparably injured....

Im thankful that the Jazz have the New York Knicks 1st round draft pick this...

Hall, Johnson matchup key

I just love how BYU and Utah give up all of their smack!!! They are playing...

Advertisements