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Nectar of life: In the Black Water, images of water are symbolically depicted on the stage by contemporary movements of the artists as well as lighting effects. — Photo courtesy Skanes Dansteater |
HA NOI — Seventeen dancers from the Swedish Skanes Dansteater expect to bring audiences in Ha Noi memorable moments when they perform the company's latest choreographic repertoire in the capital tonight and tormorrow. Entitled Black Water, the dance is the company's newest contemporary piece, which has been rewarded with attention not only of Swedish, but also Scandinavian audiences.
Created by Finnish choreographer Jorma Uotinen, the piece is divided into three parts which state the importance of water in a human being's life. Water is not only a life-giving necessity but also a power that can be dangerous and people have to learn to live with.
The idea for the piece came to the choreographer while he was travelling through the deep forests of Finland on a rainy day, seeing the roads black and shiny from the rain and the forest so deep.
Images of water are symbolically depicted on the stage by contemporary movements of the artists as well as lighting effects.
Black Water was first staged last autumn during the biggest ever show of the Skanes Dansteater entitled Black Silk at the Malmo Opera in Sweden. During the show, two other pieces were also performed, Hai Mat (Two Faces) by Vietnamese choreographer Cao Duc Toan and Heart of Silk by Swedish choreographer Pontus Lidberg.
According to the Artistic and Managing Director of the Skanes Dansteater, the successful performance of Black Silk included a collaboration with four dancers from Viet Nam's National Orchestra and Ballet, who worked as members of the Swedish company last autumn.
"It is important for the collaboration to be able to show to the audience and dance community in Ha Noi what these four dancers have been working on, and for Skanes Dansteater's dancers and technicians to see the real lives of their Vietnamese colleagues," she said.
Unlike in Sweden, where Black Silk was performed with an orchestra and choir, the piece will be presented in Ha Noi with recorded music. The music was transformed into a symphonic piece from the album Dark Passion Play by Finnish heavy metal band Nightwish.
During the show in Ha Noi, another piece called Bamboo Rain will also be presented by Vietnamese dancers.
Inspired by the falling bamboo leaves, which were compared with the rain, the piece was created by the choreographer of Heart of Silk, Lidberg.
Founded in 1995, Skanes Dansteater is the largest independent dance institution in Sweden, presenting modern dance of an international calibre to a broad audience base.
The two-night performance in Ha Noi will begin in the city's Opera House at 8pm tonight. — VNS