The Lively Foundation
The Royal Danish Ballet, one of the oldest ballet companies in the world and long one of the greatest, is performing two different programs with four different casts in Berkeley, CA, presented by Cal Performances at Zellerbach Hall. It was a thrill to see them perform The Lesson, choreographed by Flemming Flindt, and La Sylphide, by August Bournonville, on May 31. The Hedgehog is eager to see Program Two tonight.
The company is a delight. What a pleasure it was to see their exquisite dancing in two splendid ballets, each presented with fully staged sets. The perfection of their classic, Bournonville style was light, airy, dramatic, witty, and always musical.
The Lesson is both terrifying and oddly humorous. Perhaps the most terrifying part is that it could be experienced as humorous. Based on a play by Ionesco, it is a story of a ballet master Blue Beard. The dancing and characterization were precise and eloquent. The ballet master was danced by Thomas Lund, The student, by Ida Praetorius, The pianist by Maria Bernholdt, and The shadow by Benita Bunger. Mr. Lund was extraordinary in his travels from elegant dancer to feral predator, at all times supple, quick, fascinating to watch. Ms. Praetorius, listed in the program as a company apprentice, was just wonderful to watch. As the story unfolded, perception of Ms.Bernholdt’s stylized mime movements changed radically for the audience. Terrific ballet perfectly performed.
La Sylphide is one of Bounonville’s masterpieces. Created in 1836, the ballet follows a young man’s love for a sylph from the grand lodge where he is supposed to wed a human girl that day to the enchanted forest. Madge, the witch whom he scorned, takes her revenge. The Slyph dies, his best friend gets the girl, James is left to contemplate the mistake of being rude to a witch.
Caroline Cavallo as La Sylphide and Mads Blangstrup as James were both excellent in their dancing and embodying their roles.
The silly but touching story keeps moving through enchanting duets and beautifully staged ballet/folk dances. It is both entertaining and lovely to watch. The dancers were bright, charming, and continually technically wonderful. The Bournonville style emphasizes buoyancy, intricate footwork, and generous arm gestures. The classical mime, performed with grace and understanding, was a pleasure to see as well. What great feet! These dancers know how to jump and articulate their feet.
Program Two features “Nordic Choreographers,” Bournonville Variations as well as four contemporary ballets. calperformances.org for information.
photo by Henrik Stenberg
Ulrik Birkkjaer as James in the Royal Danish Ballet’s La Sylphide, presented by Cal Performances May 31-June 4.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Royal Danish Ballet in Berkeley
