Program note provided by RIOULT

BOLERO

Choreography: Pascal Rioult
Music: Maurice Ravel, Bolero
Lighting: David Finley
Costumes: Russ Vogler
Set: Harry Feiner

When Maurice Ravel was asked about his Bolero he said: "my most famous piece; too bad there is no music in it." Ravel challenged himself to repeat as little material possible as many times as he could without losing the audience's interest. This is exactly what Rioult decided to do with his version, creating a machine-like dance that explores the duality of constant rhythm and sensuality of Bolero while bringing it to a riveting crescendo. Variations in this human assembly line of movement bring detail to the choreography as the instrumentation adds detail to the music.

This piece has been co-commissioned by Cal Performances and The Théâtre de Saint Quentin en Yvelines, France. Additional funding provided by The Florence Gould Foundation, The Harkness Foundation for Dance and, in part, by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts and with public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Cultural Challenge Program.

First Performed February 15, 2002 - Cal Performances, Zellerbach Hall, Berkeley, California

Set underwriting provided by The Grand Marnier Foundation.