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Italy's Artemis Danza to bring contemporary opera to Jakarta
Redirection: Monica Casadeiâs choreography keeps the focus on Violetta, the tragic protagonist of Traviata
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Redirection: Monica Casadei's choreography keeps the focus on Violetta, the tragic protagonist of Traviata.
Artemis Danza, one of Italy's most prominent dance troupes, is slated to return to Jakarta to present a contemporary dance based on La Traviata, one of the world's most famous operas.
The performance, organized by the Italian embassy and the Italian Cultural Institute to commemorate the 65th anniversary of Indonesian-Italian diplomatic relations, will take place at the Ciputra Artpreneur Theater, South Jakarta, on June 14.
''Traviata' is very popular in Italy, including among young people, because the composer, Giuseppe Verdi, is one of our cultural fathers,' said Italian ambassador to Indonesia Federico Failla.
Artemis Danza's take on La Traviata, which means 'the fallen woman', had its debut in 2011 at the Contemporary Dance Festival in Ferrara, Italy.
The troupe's version of the 1853 opera, which is titled simply Traviata, has since traveled to many countries. Artemis Danza's show in Jakarta is part of an Asian tour that will begin in Hong Kong on June 12.
Artemis founder and choreographer Monica Casadei interpreted the strength of Verdi's opera through body movement, creating a visually striking and dramatic production from using a contemporary approach and feminine sensibility, according to the trope's press notes.
Traviata tells the love story of Violetta, a courtesan, and Alfredo, a young nobleman, who face many challenges as Alfredo's family rejects their relationship and Violetta suffers from a chronic disease.
The performance will be presented from Violetta's point of view, where dancers will show expressions of sincerity, inner war and the confusion experienced by the protagonist.
Erza Setyadharma from the Indonesia Opera Society said that Traviata would bring a new touch to the growing local opera scene.
Although the combination of classical music and contemporary dance was not new in Western countries, Traviata would be the first time for Indonesians to see such show, Erza said.
For those who think that opera is only for old people or is boring, Traviata can correct such misperceptions, he added. 'I'm pretty sure the show will be very interesting. Artemis Danza will perform the short version of Traviata ' only one hour from the original three hours ' but it will be visually and aurally entertaining.
'Use your imagination, too, when watching opera, then you will not be bored.'
Artemis Danza was founded in 1994 in France by Casadei, who brought it to Italy in 1997. The company has staged over 30 creations by Casadei, in addition to providing choreographies for many theaters and opera performances.
The group first came to Jakarta in 2010 to perform at the Jakarta Arts Building in Central Jakarta and to organize workshops with the Indonesian opera-drama company Wayang Swargaloka.
Artemis Danza is also slated to hold a dance workshop open to the public on June 15.
Michaela Linda Magri, director of the Italian Cultural Institute, said that 15 students from several local dance schools would be chosen for a special class under Artemis Danza.
'The selected dancers will perform at the end of Traviata's show,' she said.
For more information and tickets, visit kiostix.com. Ticket prices range from Rp 250,000 (US$19) to Rp 500,000.
' Photos courtesy of culturaspettacolovenezia.it.
