Figurehead of modern dance, Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker is one of the regular guests of the Lille Opera. From one performance to another, she loves to play off contradictions, going with the same elegance from theatrical dance to abstract expression, always retaining the same fluidity and exceptional capacity to move the audience.

Each of her creations explores and develops the relationships between music and dance. This time it is Der Abschied, excerpted from Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde – played and sung live during this performance – that inspires her. Through the choreography, she does justice to one of the most profound and moving pieces by Mahler.

This creation brings together a stunning duo. On the one hand, the interpreter Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker: only rarely does she appear on stage, and we recall with emotion her solo Once on songs by Joan Baez at the Lille Opera in 2006. On the other hand, the British mezzo Sara Fulgoni: she incarnates the music on stage and gives it a physical presence, accompanied by the musicians of Ictus. Artistic companions of Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, their paths have often crossed, around Steve Reich in particular.

Another astonishing and unexpected partnership: Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker and the choreographer Jérôme Bel. Curious and avid of new encounters, he brings his atypical and unclassifiable style, his humour and his ironic critique.

“We remain relentless even at the risk of repeating ourselves (as the title indicates) in order to attempt to exhaust the work, which naturally resists us. But we fear nothing, just like (the character of) Mahler before death.” 
Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker and Jérôme Bel

Conception Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker et Jérôme Bel
Musical Direction Georges-Elie Octors
Music Gustav Mahler Das Lied von der Erde / Der Abschied, 6th Lied (arranged by Arnold Schoenberg)

With
Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker
Sara Fulgoni Mezzo-soprano
Jean-Luc Fafchamps piano
Ictus ensemble in residence at the Lille Opera.

FRIDAY 19 MARCH

Discussion with Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker following the performance.