orpheus |

Orpheus is a heroic myth about the greatest musician of greek tales and his descent into the underworld to search for his love, Eurydice. Choreographed by Aurora Corsano, music composed and performed by Derrik Jordan, Hugh Keelan, Molly Melloan & Todd Roach with set/puppets by Jana Zeller & Zachary Grace, costumes by Alyssa Holmes & Evelyn Trier and light design by Gerald Stockman. Danced by Ryan Campbell, John DiGeorge, Cyndal Ellis, Vida King, Omei Marshall, Leah Mutz, Brooke Paige, Sarah Shepard, Carrie Towle, Meg VanDyck & John Wells.

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Video & photos by Zachary P. Stephens

Preview of Orpheus by Zeke Hecker

Brattleboro Reformer (VT)
February 19, 2009  Section: Entertainment  Article ID: 11737670
Luminz Dance Company looks back at Orpheus

ZEKE HECKER, Special to the Reformer
Thursday, February 19 BRATTLEBORO — Orpheus, distraught at the death of his lover Eurydice, goes to the Underworld to beg for her release. With his music he charms Hades, god of death, to return her to life, but is warned not to look back as he leads her to the land of the living. Unable to resist her pleas, he turns to meet her glance and loses her a second, final time. For centuries Orpheus has charmed not only Hades, but also composers, playwrights, filmmakers, and choreographers. A short list includes Monteverdi, Gluck, Stravinsky, Cocteau and Mark Morris. Now add Aurora Corsano, whose version of the myth premieres on Feb. 20 and 21 at the New England Youth Theatre along with other works presented by the Luminz Dance Company.
“I’ve always loved the (Gluck) opera,” says Corsano, whose speech even in the throes of rehearsal is soft and measured. “For me the story is personal. It’s about loss and healing. I see all the characters as aspects of the same psyche. Eurydice is innocence, the natural self. Orpheus is artistry. Hades and his consort Persephone, who pleads for Eurydice’s release, have the power to imprison, but also to heal her.”

Last year Luminz presented an excerpt from Corsano’s version as a work-in-progress, among other short pieces at its spring festival. Now complete, the ballet involves a dozen dancers and occupies the first half of the Luminz program. There’s a new score played live by Todd Roach and Derrik Jordan with singer Molly Melloan. Corsano decided not to use recorded music from the opera. “I wanted live music. Molly, however, will sing one of the opera’s most famous arias.”

The score was composed independently from the choreography, which employs elements of classical and modern dance as well as Asian influences. There are reminiscences of Nijinsky’s “Afternoon of a Faun,” with movement suggesting the two-dimensional figures on an ancient Greek frieze, accentuated by the dancers’ loosely draped costumes of white gauze.

“Each character or group has a distinct dance vocabulary, which I base on their own personal movement. I don’t start working with preconceived steps.”

The Furies, represented by three female dancers, are given reptilian gestures, and Hades himself stamps threateningly in a kind of tribal dance. The opening pas de deux for the lovers is tender and sensual; Hades and Persephone have their own, more acrobatic duet.

While Corsano is the prime mover behind the Luminz company, the second half of the program contains works in various styles by company members Cyndal Ellis, Christie Clovis, Leah Mutz and Meg Van Dyck. The latter also uses live music, this time by the Jones Trio, a jazz group.
As for the Orpheus legend, why does Corsano think it needs yet another retelling? “It’s eternal,” she says. “It’s the transcendence of art.”

The Luminz Dance Theater performances will be given on Friday at 7:30 p.m. (gala), and Saturday at 2:30 p.m. (matinee) and 7:30 p.m. (premiere). For information and tickets, call 802-254-9200 or go online to luminzstudio.com.