DESCRIPTION:
An opera singer and an orchestra are enveloped in spectacular contemporary circus performance as Benjamin Britten's song cycle Les Illuminations is staged as never before, to open Aldeburgh Festival 2016. Inspired by the hyper-sensual surrealism of Rimbaud’s poetry, director Struan Leslie's new production brings together soprano Sarah Tynan with Nicolas Collon's Aurora Orchestra alongside circus artists using trapeze, silks, straps, cloud rope, and balancing on hands and a set created by Gary McCann.

‘Never less than spectacular’
★★★★ Financial Times, Hannah Nepil, 12 June 2016

‘Les Illuminations..... a setting of poems by Arthur Rimbaud which conjure weird nocturnal visions of “Savage parades”, “Cortèges of Queen Mabs”, and wild “Bacchantes of the suburbs”. Director Struan Leslie brought these visions to life with the aid of nine circus performers and a fascinating set from Gary McCann...... beyond praise’
★★★★ The Telegraph, Ivan Hewett, 11 June 2016

‘Circus seems the perfect mode for expressing Britten’s setting of Rimbaud’s strange, nonsensical and psychedelic poetry, evoking intense atmosphere without plot, and above all a sense of sprightly play and fun which encouraged the audience to engage, applaud and even giggle. We see classical music at its accessible best when it is presented with such courage, energy and humour.’
‘McCann’s costumes, alternating between the sinuous and the sculptural, accentuate the rhythm and reach of each dancer’s movements, whether creating organic shapes on the ground or sweeping patterns in the air on ribbons, a large metal ring or a trapeze. While the circus performers are all dressed in monochrome, a range of elaborate and shadowy patterns on their costumes, combined with a wide array of visual textues from nylon to fur, keeps them visually lush..... this was an exceptional evening’
★★★★★ Bachtrack, Charlotte Valori, 13 June 2016

‘Leslie’s remarkable melding of string orchestra with expressive circus will enchant you... it is tremendous. an odd, wild, engrossing 75 minutes’
★★★★★ TheatreCat.com, Libby Purves, 10 June 2016

’75 minutes of arresting and breathtaking activity’ - EADT, Gareth Jones, 13 June 2016
‘The aerial artistry is stunning. As the music dips and moves, the choreography does also. It is a feast to watch’ - EADT, Jackie Montague, 22 June 2016

Struan Leslie: director
Gary McCann: set and costume designer
Chris Davey: lighting designer
Sarah Tynan: soprano
An ensemble of international circus performers
Nicholas Collon: conductor
Aurora Orchestra

Snape Maltings
http://www.snapemaltings.co.uk

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