| BULGARIAN DREAM DANCERS PRESENT THE BULGARIAN LEGEND ROYAL ALBERT HALL, 1 NOVEMBER 2004, 8 PM |
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| HOMETHE STORYTHE MUSICTHE DANCEREVIEWSLILI IGNATOVAБългарски | |
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Background information In March of 2002 an idea was born to create a dance troop composed of women gymnasts and male folk dancers. In the initial stage of preparation composer Georgi Andreev, Music Director of National Folklore ensemble Philip Kutev, was approached to write an original score. Thus ”Orpheus and Evrydice” was formed with a premiere launched in Varna and Sofia six months later. In June 2003 significant changes took place. New choreographer, Ivaylo Ivanov, Chief Choreographer of the Philip Kutev National Folklore Ensemble, was invited to stage a new male choreography. The story line was simplified and in its final version it is called The Legend or The Bulgarian Legend.
The Story The story is based on the ancient myth about the love between a young man and a nymph. It is a well-known Balkan legend. According to it, when the nymph (Evrydice) falls in love with a common mortal she loses her mystic power and turns into an ordinary maiden. Man was said to be able to subordinate a nymph to his will by taking away something, which embodied her power, like for instance a belt, or a necklace or a braid. Having fallen in love, she becomes the object of detest by her sisters of kin, who, transformed in snakes, kill her. Thus she land in the kingdom of shadows (the underworld). Orpheus’ grieve is inconsolable. His friends try in vain to cheer him up. His soul is full of desire for revenge, however in the decisive battle the nymphs succeed in taking his life. Rising up to the stars, he finally finds his beloved one and their celestial dance fills up eternity.
This is how originally Georgui Petrov, the former producer of the show, came to bring together the team. We were looking for possibilities to present the cultural wealth of Bulgaria in a nontraditional and modern manner. The story had to bear the spirit of the Balkan Peninsula, and that is why we chose the Orpheus and Eurydice legend. We wished that the authentic Bulgarian music and folk dances should sound and look modern. Combined with the rhythmic gymnastics as a means of expression, this should represent a modern cultural visiting card of Bulgaria. The performance is attractive and has a strong emotional impact, easy to be interpreted and accepted by the broadest possible audience.
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Performance with live music from the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra and with the participation of vocalists and instrumentalists from the Philip Kutev Ensemble was built. In the new version Georgi Andreev is both composer and conductor. This makes it possible to present the show both on playback and with live music. In its new improved version the show has the qualities of a product of art of high value. It can present with success Bulgarian culture throughout the world and make positive advertising of Bulgaria.
Main idea of the performance Actually, every one of the creators has been cherishing the idea of such a performance deeply in his heart. I, for instance, used to see as early as during my time as a competitor the incredible capacity of rhythmic gymnastics as means of expression in art. Since I have been always subject to certain restrictions by the judging rules in sports, I felt the necessity to give expression to the creative potential I was carrying in myself. Provoked by the performances of the Lord of the Dance, which have brought world fame to Ireland, we have decided that Bulgaria possesses also a wealth of music, dances and culture, worth sharing with the world
On the basis of the performance so far and with a view to the successful presentation of the show abroad we have corrected and simplified the story, calling it only “The Legend” and we have upgraded and changed the male choreography. The leading parts now are performed by Iva Tepeshanova and Kamen Ivanov. |
ROYAL ALBERT HALL Box office: 020 7589 8212 Sponsored by: Bulgaria Property Finder |
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