Project Rameau combines the extraordinary talents of the Sydney Dance Company, under the direction of Rafael Bonachela, and the Australian Chamber Orchestra under Richard Tognetti – two major companies in magnificent form. The result is a shimmering, thrilling work.
Jean-Philippe Rameau was an 18th century French composer who wrote for dance and opera, introducing new instruments and challenging sounds to the audiences of the day. Today, sadly, his works are rarely performed. Most of this production uses Rameau’s music, but also features works by Vivaldi and Bach.
Bonachela’s coruscating, seamless choreography is enmeshed in the music, using it for inspiration and development. The work is abstract pure dance, incorporating Baroque elements, with some magnificent ensemble work flowing into a series of pas de deux and trios. There are also possible hints of Balanchine and Cunningham, but mostly a sense of homage to and connection with 18th century dance.
Darting hands hold fluttering conversations like butterflies. To a rumbling, ominous, stormy score, the dancers are blown like leaves across the stage. The liquid choreography ebbs and flows, apart from one section featuring sharp, tango-like movements where unusually, the women are supported in their pirouettes by the men holding onto their elbows. The structure of the music is explored by the ensemble dancing in diagonal lines across the stage or in a frieze-like manner. There are some very difficult lifts, throws and catches in some of the athletic pas de deux.
The extraordinary solo by Bernhard Knauer to the haunting Bach sarabande played by a spotlight Tognetti is absolutely a highlight.
Also impressive are Andrew Crawford’s solos, who with his long lean fine ‘line’ is like a golden Apollo. Charmene Yap also features several times, and has a smoky, slinky short solo. Juliette Barton is luminous in some fine work; Richard Cilli shines in his fabulous solos and pas de deux; Chen Wen and Lachlan Bell are particularly of note in their short solos; and Natalie Allen has a delightful, joyous, almost flirty solo to music from Dardanus.
The black costumes are all subtly individual. Some are semi- transparent, and there are variations on texture, line and cut with hints of 18th century dress. Benjamin Cisterne’s set design has black flats giving the feel of a Baroque theatre with the visual line of the perspective retreating. The ACO is on a raised platform at the rear of the stage. Cisterne’s lighting is very atmospheric.
Project Rameau is a magnificent, joyous combination of Baroque music and contemporary dance. Sydney audiences (as well as Canberra and Brisbane next year) are very lucky to see work of this exceptional quality. Catch it while you can.
Rating: 4 ½ stars out of 5
Project Rameau
Sydney Dance Company and Australian Chamber Orchestra
Sydney Dance Company Artistic Director: Rafael Bonachela
Australian Chamber Orchestra Artistic Director: Richard Tognetti
Music: Jean-Phillipe Rameau, Antonio Vivaldi, Johann- Sebastian Bach
Choreography: Rafael Bonachela
Lighting and Set Design: Benjamin Cisterne
Costume Design: Rafael Bonachela and Fiona Holley
Music Arrangement: Graham Sadler, Vi King Lim, Jennifer Powell
Dance Director: Amy Hollingsworth
Dancers: Sydney Dance Company
Musicians: Australian Chamber Orchestra
Running time: One hour 10 mins (approx) no interval
Sydney Theatre
29 October – 3 November
