Contemporary dance troupe takes on ‘Rite of Spring’

The “Rite of Spring at 100” continues this week as contemporary dance titan Nederlands Dans Theater 1 returns to Carolina Performing Arts, kicking off its national tour with the U.S. premiere of “Chamber.”

“They are a top-tier company that’s incredibly well-respected for its caliber of dancers,” said Jodee Nimerichter, director of the American Dance Festival.

The company, which is internationally famed for its dexterous, clean dancing, will perform three works tonight.

Choreographer Medhi Walerski’s “Chamber” is a take on Igor Stravinsky’s “Rite of Spring.” It was co-commissioned by CPA two years ago and is set to an original score by Jody Talbot.

“‘The Rite of Spring’ was such a catalyst, especially for contemporary dance,” said Paul Lightfoot, artistic director and house choreographer of the company.

“We’re not trying to recreate it because that’s pointless.”

The company will also perform the U.S. premiere of former artistic director Jiri Kylian’s “Memoires d’Oubliettes,” which celebrates the company’s 50th anniversary. The piece embodies Kyrian’s 35 years of memories at the company, Lightfoot said.

Lightfoot and house choreographer Sol Leon will perform the night’s third performance, “Speak for Yourself.” This work incorporates actual rain showers on the stage — if everything goes seamlessly, Lightfoot said.

Both of Friday’s performances are choreographed and danced by Lightfoot and Leon, and concern the idea of transformation.

“Sehnsucht” is untranslatable to English, Lightfoot said, although “yearning” or “longing” come close. In lieu of a usual intermission, on-stage choreography never halts, providing non-stop action.

“Schmetterling,” which translates to “Butterfly,” uses music from the indie band The Magnetic Fields.

“It’s a bizarre celebration of life and death, and of the inevitability that we’re one day going to die,” Lightfoot said.

He said he hopes the audience can connect with the work, even without fully understanding it.

Rebecca Brenner, marketing and communications coordinator at CPA, said Nederlands Dans Theater 1 is a gateway into modern dance.

“I’ve never seen a work by them that didn’t move me in some way,” she said.

Nimerichter said she is always inspired by its works.

“You can always count on them for a strong, captivating performance,” she said.

Contact the desk editor at arts@dailytarheel.com.