The Portland-based Agnieszka Laska Dance Company will take center stage at Corvallis’ Majestic Theatre this month to perform the acclaimed Igor Stravinksy-scored and Vaslav Ninjinsky-choreographed ballet, The Rite of Spring. The production, which commemorated the 100th anniversary of its premiere performance last May, will showcase top dancers from the Northwest and all over the globe. Accompanying the dance company will be two live pianists.
Stravinksy’s score for The Rite of Spring is widely regarded as one of the most influential works of the 20th century. However, in its first performance (1913), the avant-garde style music and choreography reportedly almost incited a riot in the audience due to the “risqué” nature of the performance; the story highlights primitive men and women aggressively dancing, followed by a group of men carrying a woman off stage. Primitive rituals in celebration of the arrival of spring are performed with one young girl chosen as a sacrifice to the Earth, who dances herself to death. Let’s just say it was a little too far ahead of its time.
The production, featuring new choreography by Agnieszka Laska, has already sold out shows in Portland and Astoria on its centenary tour.
The Rite of Spring will be performed on Saturday, March 15 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door, available online at www.majestic.org or at the Majestic Theatre box office, 115 SW 2nd Street; 541-738-7469.
by Patrick Fancher
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