Dreams, Illusions, Bubbles, Shadows

Birds of Paradise, set to Alberto Ginastera’s Concerto for Harp and Orchestra is enriched by strong visual impact, sensual tension and an exotic mood. It calls for two lead couples and an ensemble of nine. The work features dancers as frightened bird-like creatures with movements showcasing the hallmark characteristics of Goh Choo San’s work – the effective use of complex patterns of daring partnering and distinctive angular shapes. The inspiration for Living Greens is the music of Mickey Hart, which is a diverse collection of instruments and people brought together from all backgrounds to create a distilled unified percussive sound. Hart brings together artists and instruments from Mexico, India, Brazil, Africa and Indonesia to create his primal music.

His tenth creation for Washington Ballet, Birds of Paradise was premiered by The Washington Ballet on 26 October 1979. This production is presented by arrangement with the Choo-San Goh and H. Robert Maggee Foundation.

Façade unveils the inner core self, allowing the protective mask and defensive layers to be removed. The projection of the self and the reflection in the mirror are being dissolved so that the true essence can be revealed.

Don Quixote is the hero in this ballet. He rejoices in heroic tales of brave knights and beautiful ladies. He is constantly seeking adventure and travels around with his squire, Sancho whom he rescued from angry shopkeepers when he tried to steal a goose. Don Quixote is always finding an ideal, something to live for and serve. The Pas de Deux is when Kitri, the innkeeper’s daughter and Basil, a barber, get married.

The excerpt – The Blue Bird Pas de Deux is a divertissement from Act II of The Sleeping Beauty choreographed by Jean Paul Comelin, staged by SDT in December 2004.

Living Greens is a dance inspired by fundamental issues relating to nature and humanity. Issues such as growth, maturity, survival and social behaviour are examined through movement and mood; the essence of these complex issues are reflected in dance. The ballet is a combination of movements brought together from different dance realms.