Details

World Premiere Scottish Ballet and the Edinburgh International Festival are delighted that Jorma Elo, resident choreographer of Boston Ballet and a rising star in contemporary ballet both in the US and Europe, is creating a new work for Festival 2011. Hot on the heels of his recent triumphs at San Francisco Ballet, New York City Ballet and Nederlands Dans Theater, Jorma Elo's much anticipated new commission for Scottish Ballet features Mozart's First Violin Concerto and music by Steve Reich. Song of the Earth (1965) Created by Scottish choreographic genius Kenneth MacMillan, former Director and Principal Choreographer of the Royal Ballet, Song of the Earth is set to Mahler's beautiful song cycle Das Lied von der Erde which explores mankind's struggle to accept mortality and the hope and eventual renewal that comes with death. Mahler set texts from Chinese poems of the T'ang Dynasty, translated into German. His use of Chinese motifs in the music is subtle and sublime. Joining the dancers of Scottish Ballet are mezzo soprano Katarina Karneus and tenor Peter Wedd with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra led by Sian Edwards. Duration: 2hrs approx. Scottish Ballet website.

Cast/Performers

Katarina Karneus (mezzo soprano - Song of the Earth), Peter Wedd (tenor - Song of the Earth)

Creatives/Company

Company: Scottish Ballet
Choreographer(s): Jorma Elo (World Premiere), Henneth MacMillan (Song of the Earth)
Music(s): Mozart (World Premiere), Steve Reich (World Premiere), Mahler (Song of the Earth)