Introducing our Ballet Nights House Concert Pianist, Viktor Erik Emanuel, who many of our audiences know and love, having performed a huge range of repertoire since Ballet Nights 001: The World Premiere back in September. Also an avid photographer, when not on stage, Viktor is often found behind the camera, taking some of our Ballet Nights Behind the Scenes imagery.
As is a Ballet Nights tradition at Lanterns Studio Theatre, Viktor opens Acts I & II with two pieces of his own choosing, setting the scene for the evening as well as providing live accompaniment to many of our other Artists. Despite the change in scenery, Ballet Nights 006: The Cadogan Hall Concert is no different.
At the start of Act I, Viktor will perform Chopin’s Ballade No.1 in G Minor, one of Chopin’s most well known and loved piano works, also considered one of the most challenging pieces written for piano both technically and musically. The Ballade had originally existed in literary form as a poem, as well as a vocal piece, but it was Chopin who took its instrumental piano form to its pinnacle compositionally. With an incredible narrative arch, Chopin takes us on a tumultuous journey.
In Act II, audiences will be treated to Ravel’s Gaspard de la Nuit, M.55: I. Ondine. Part of a triptych inspired by Aloysius Bertrand’s poems, Ondine is set in the dream realm. A water nymph attempts to seduce a man to her kingdom at the bottom of the lake by singing mesmerising, beautiful melodies. Ondine is vividly imagined through Ravel’s highly sophisticated writing, and it leaves a haunting impression on the listener.
Viktor will also accompany American Ballet Star of Stage and Screen, Joy Womack in a new commission choreographed by Constant Vigier, as well as accompanying Nashville Ballet’s Sarah Pierce and James Lankford with Ravel’s Jeux d’Eau in ‘Leto’, choreographed by Artistic Director Nick Mullikin. Both Mullikin’s work and Ravel’s piece took inspiration from Henri de Régnier’s poem “Fete d’eau”, and the line Ravel cited, "dieu fluvial riant de l'eau qui le chatouille" meaning "river god laughing at the water that tickles him".
“Being part of Ballet Nights the past year has been a beautiful experience. I’m grateful to have witnessed world-class artists, to have performed alongside and collaborated with fantastic dancers. I feel more strongly than ever that Ballet Nights offers something unique to audiences, with creative and varied programming, and I can’t wait to see how it continues to evolve and reach even more people!” - Viktor Erik Emanuel
What promises to be a beautiful evening of Dance and Live Music at London’s Prestigious Cadogan Hall, book your tickets now for the 4th September.
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