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Seoul Metropolitan Ballet to stage contemporary pieces
Choi Young-gyu, principal dancer with the Dutch National Ballet, speaks about an upcoming performance during a press conference at a rehearsal studio in Seoul, Monday. Yonhap
By Kim Se-jeong
The Seoul Metropolitan Ballet (SMB) will stage the contemporary tango ballet "5 Tango's" at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Seoul this weekend.
Choreographed by Dutch master Hans van Manen, the piece was inspired by a piece by Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992), “Tango Nuevo.” Choi Young-gyu, a Korean principal dancer with the Dutch National Ballet, will participate in the performance as a guest artist.
“This work was solely inspired by music,” Choi said during a press conference at SMB's rehearsal studio in Seoul on Monday. “The performance is both passionate and sentimental. I enjoy dancing this work and hope the audience will enjoy it too.”
Van Manen was said to be so moved by Piazzolla’s music that he completed the choreography for "5 Tango's" in just two weeks. The work premiered in 1977.
The program is a fitting choice for SMB, which was founded only last year with the aim of introducing contemporary ballet to Korean audiences. In its inaugural season, the troupe presented nine contemporary works across 27 performances, drawing a total audience of 15,000.
Van Manen is not entirely new to SMB or local audiences. The company’s inaugural lineup included his 1995 work "Kammerballett," which will return to the stage in October.
“Van Manen’s work enables each dancer to discover his or her own color,” Choi said. The Dutch National Ballet maintains a close working relationship with the choreographer.
Alongside "5 Tango’s," the upcoming double bill will also feature "No More," a contemporary work by Korean choreographer Ryu Hoi-woong. The piece premiered last year to positive reviews, earning Ryu another invitation this season.
“I am interested in what’s going on in Korean society,” Ryu said. “I’ve heard younger generations talk about how tough life is for them, and I wanted to express their outcries through dance. This year’s performance is different because I added a scene where dancers perform for hope and dreams.”
This year’s "No More" will also include guest dancer Kang Gyeong-ho, who rose to fame through the TV dance competition show "Stage Fighter."
The performances will begin Friday and run through Wednesday.