24th April – 25th May

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IDFB presents the World Premiere of

Concert Dansé

Sponsored by Brewin Dolphin

International Dance Festival Birmingham 2014 (IDFB) is delighted to present the World Premiere of Concert Dansé on Friday 2 May. This exciting brand new event marks the very first collaboration between IDFB and the city’s renowned Symphony Hall, leading UK choir, Birmingham based Ex Cathedra and acclaimed Québécois dance company Cas Public. Over 50 performers will unite on the Symphony Hall stage, including many great UK names from the worlds of dance and music, to create this one-off concert as part of the city’s fourth, award-winning international biennial festival of dance.

Conducted by Jeffrey Skidmore and featuring works for choir, organ and cello, Concert Dansé culminates in an evocative reimagining of Duruflé’s Requiem, featuring a cornucopia of ballet, South Asian Kathak and contemporary dance. A host of talented and acclaimed artists will come together on stage to create an ethereal and haunting performance transforming this renowned concert venue as never before.

This unique musical event also features performances by leading organist Alexander Mason, acclaimed cellist Andrew Skidmore and Baritone Greg Skidmore. In addition to the evening’s contemporary take on Duruflé’s Requiem, the diverse musical programme also includes beautiful works for Cello and Organ; Massenet’s Pie Jesu (Mezzo Soprano soloist Martha McLorinan) and Saint-Saëns’ Prière. The first half of the concert concludes with Ex Cathedra’s performance of Copland’s evocative In the Beginning for Mezzo Soprano solo (Martha McLorinan) and choir.

Founded in 1989 by then rising contemporary dance star Hélène Blackburn, Cas Public is now a company of international repute, recognised for the passionate and daring physicality of its dance. It has toured world-wide and sustained a presence on the Canadian and international stage – all the while securing its reputation for works of exceptional quality and retaining a strong link to its origins in Quebec’s cultural landscape.

Participating Birmingham-based choir, Ex Cathedra has established an international reputation as a leading choral and Early Music ensemble, with a repertoire that ranges from the 12th to the 21st centuries. A Town Hall Associate Artist, this renowned group tours extensively across the UK and Europe where it has built up a keen following and impressive reputation to match that of its local standing.

Trained in the classical styles of Kathak and Bharatanatyam, Aakash Odedra is a rising star of British South Asian Dance. He is joined as a guest artist in Concert Dansé by dancers from the city’s very own and internationally acclaimed Birmingham Royal Ballet – to complete this impressive line up.

Concert Dansé is one of several world premieres taking place during this year’s award-winning International Dance Festival Birmingham. As one of Europe’s biggest dance festivals, this biennial event, co-produced by DanceXchange and Birmingham Hippodrome brings the theatres, streets and squares of Birminghamto life with four consecutive weeks of dance. Following three previous successful festivals in 2008, 2010 and 2012, this year’s festival – which opens on 24 April 2014 – features more collaborations, more theatre shows and a jam packed programme bursting with world-class and up and coming talent. Coupled with a range of family friendly events and participatory opportunities for all – in venues and spaces across Birmingham and the West Midlands – this year’s festival is set to be the biggest and the most exciting to date.

Artistic Director of DanceXchange and Co-Artistic Director of IDFB 2014, David Massingham says:
“We are thrilled to collaborate with Cas Public to present this truly exciting and ambitious one off event for IDFB 2014 at Birmingham’s stunning Symphony Hall. The musicians and dancers taking part in Concert Dansé are individually some of the finest performers in their field – so to have them all perform together for one night specifically for IDFB really is such a coup for the Festival.”

Hélène Blackburn Artistic Director of Cas Public adds:
“David and I have discussed collaborating on a project like Concert Dansé for many years, and so I’m delighted that we’ve been able to make it happen as part of International Dance Festival Birmingham 2014. It will be a very special evening.”

Stephen Glazzard, Head of the Birmingham office of Brewin Dolphin said

“We are pleased to continue the relationship with IDFB, this year supporting a unique and special event which brings together some of Birmingham’s leading cultural organisations with international artists”