Rehearsal: Miro Magloire’s New Saariaho Ballet

Above: dancers and singers unite in Miro Magloire’s new ballet, “I AM“

~ Author: Oberon

Monday February 12th, 2018 – Since I am unable to attend this weekend’s New Chamber Ballet performances, the Company’s director, Miro Magloire, invited me to a studio rehearsal this morning of his newest creation: “I Am” set to music by Kaija Saariaho and Karin Rehnqvist.

When I arrived this morning, the Saariaho portion of “I Am” was being rehearsed, with dancers Kristine Butler, Traci Finch, and Amber Neff; members of the vocal ensemble Ekmeles (Charlotte Mundy, Mary Mackenzie, and Elisa Sutherland) not only sing but participate in the choreography, and NCB’s violinist Doori Na and pianist Melody Fader were on hand to play the magical music of Ms. Saariaho.

Here are some images from today’s rehearsal of “I Am“:

Mary Mackenzie, Kristine Butler

Amber Neff, Charlotte Mundy  

Amber & Charlotte

Elisa Sutherland, Traci Finch

Elisa, Charlotte, Mary, and Kristine

Traci, Amber, and Elisa

Elisa and Charlotte face-off

Elisa Sutherland

Elisa encircled

Mary & Kristine

Kristine Butler

Traci Finch, Amber Neff

Traci & Amber

Charlotte Mundy

The second part of “I Am” is set to music by Karin Rehnqvist: “Davids Nimm“, a vocal trio based on Swedish shepherdess’s calls.

Between the two parts of “I Am“, the Company will show a new ballet danced to selections from Johann Sebastian Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier. This was being rehearsed today, with Melody Fader at the piano and dancers Sarah Atkins, Elizabeth Brown, Kristine Butler, and Amber Neff:

Elizabeth Brown

Sarah Atkins, Elizabeth Brown

Amber Neff, Kristine Butler

Amber Neff, Elizabeth Brown

Kristine Butler, Sarah Atkins

Kristine Butler with Elizabeth, Amber, and Sarah

The performances will be February 16th and 17th, 2018 at the City Center Studios. For tickets, go here.

~ Oberon