Ouverture cubaine | Malandain Ballet

Ouverture cubaine Malandain / Gershwin

Ballet performed on 16 January 1998 at the Théâtre de Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines / Scène nationale, France, as part of a programme with Sextet by Steve Reich and Ballet Mécanique by George Antheil.

This score by George Gershwin, originally titled Rumba, exudes exoticism and extraordinary, resounding flamboyance. The choreography gives way to sensual pleasure which plays with the musical dynamics and the body’s energy at the same time.

Thierry Malandain

Performed on 16 January 1998

at the Théâtre de Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines / Scène nationale

Music George Gershwin

Choreography Thierry Malandain

Set and costumes Jorge Gallardo

Lighting design Jean-Claude Asquié

Coproduction Théâtre de Saint-Quentin en Yvelines / Scène nationale, Conseil Général des Yvelines, ADIAM 78, Esplanade de Saint-Etienne, French Ministry of Culture, Temps Présent Company

Full length of the performance 15 minutes

Ballet for 12 dancers

Dancers Laura Adami, Giuseppe Chiavaro, Patrice Delay, Isaïas Jauregui, Lyane Lamourelle, Adriana Pous Ojeda, Christophe Roméro, Thierry Taboni, Brigitte Valverde, Nathalie Verspecht, Sean Wood

Video by Georges Flores, September 1998

document (pdf) Available soon

"[…]Ouverture cubaine (Cuban Overture), Gershwin’s unbridled rumba which the dancers sway their hips to in a style very close to that of Robbins’ in West Side Story. "

Le Quotidien du Médecin, Olivier Brunel, 16 February 1998

"[…] In response to a request from Pierre Moutarde, Ouverture cubaine (Cuban Overture), is light-hearted exotic entertainment in which docile couples sensually sway their hips to the rhythm, continuing with a flowing adagio. "

Les saisons de la danse, Marie-Françoise Christout, March 1998

"[…] Ouverture cubaine (Cuban Overture) plays with the body’s sensuality and dynamics without diminishing the remarkable precision of the movements. We only regret the performance’s brevity. "

Danse Light, L.C, March 1998

Follow us