An emotional homage to Zingaro
For this sensational show, staged in Kolomenskoye on the banks of the Moscow river, not only dancers and horses were flown in, but also an enormous tent big enough to accommodate over 1,000 spectators together with benches, cushions and red sand for the arena floor.
The French troupe has existed since 1984 and was given the name "Zingaro" by theater director Bartabas (Clement Marty) in memory of his favorite horse of the same name. The animal died three years ago during another foreign tour after having spent 17 years in the troupe.
Since their first appearance in the Avignon Theater Festival in 1987, Bartabas and his troupe have made it a tradition to premiere their new shows in this French summer theater capital. And that is where the current program, first presented last July, caught the attention of Russian "talent scouts."
Bartabas has created an equestrian ballet in three parts, which he calls "Tryptich." Set to two pieces by Igor Stravinsky – "The Rite of Spring" and "The Symphony of Psalms" – and to "Dialogue of the Double Shadow" by Pierre Boulez, the show is a ritualized mourning for Zingaro. "Tryptich" is full of emotions, significant deep silences, calculated movements and mystic lighting along with rusty sand, bodies and costumes, all of which create a reflective mood spelling out the inevitable end of everything.
The lonely clarinetist sounds tragic. He stands alone in the center of a red desert and is the only link between the dead petrified skeletons dangling from the ceiling and the noble silhouettes of galloping horses. Seven dancers participating in the spectacle demonstrate perfect rhythm and elasticity almost surpassing the animals whom they are trying to conquer, take over and force into obedience.
With this spectacle the troupe hopes to put the grieving period behind them, leaving them free to live, work and create.
Kolomenskoye Recreation Park
Metro: Kolomenskoye
For tickets call: 229-7721
The show runs through June 21
Syndicate
