“The Rite of Spring” contemporary dance performance will make a comeback in HCMC on September 14 - PHOTO: COURTESY OF HBSO

The work was first performed by the HCMC Ballet, Symphony Orchestra and Opera (HBSO) on August 23 in the 2019 Arts Festival Autumn Melodies and received positive response from the audience.

“The Rite of Spring” was premiered in 1913 with the music written by the great Russian composer I. Stravinsky and choreographed by Vaslav Nijinsky. At that time, both the music and the choreography had impressive breakthrough that caused an unfavorable reaction from the public. The work was considered too fierce.

Later on, when Stravinsky’s works were recognized and accepted, “The Rite of Spring” became one of the most important and influential works of the 20th and 21st century.

The choreography is about the ancient rituals on the birth of spring. A sacrificial female character dances to her death. The powerful choreography together with the use of dissonant in the music shocked the audience back then. Until now, there have been hundreds of different choreographies on Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring”.

The upcoming performance at the Saigon Opera House is re-choreographed by Joost Vrouenraets.

Born in 1979, Joost studied dance at the Amsterdam University of the Arts. His approach to movement combines martial arts, ballet technique and contemporary dance. Each movement has a sustained flow and uses multiple ways of torque and twist, requiring strong practice of coordination and stamina.

The show will also present “Bolero” by M. Ravel choreographed by Joost Vrouenraets with the performance of Tran Hoang Yen and Sung A Lung.

Tickets are from VND300,000 to VND650,000, with a special price of VND80,000 for students.