Scottish Ballet returns to Los Angeles after 20 years (Photos)

Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at the Music Center opens its 2011-2012 season tonight with the debut of the Scottish Ballet, Scotland’s national dance company, at the Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion at 7:30 p.m. The company returns to perform in the United States after being away for 20 years with only three performances at the Music Center on October 14th, 15th and 16th.

The Scottish Ballet will present “Song of the Earth,” choreographed by Sir Kenneth MacMillan with music by Gustav Mahler, and “Kings 2 Ends” choreographed by Jorma Elo, with music by Mozart and Steve Reich.

MacMillan created “Song of the Earth”for Stuttgart Ballet in 1965. Set to Mahler’s song cycle “Das Lied von der Erde,” the lyrics to which were freely translated from a collection of 18th century Chinese poems offering bittersweet reflections on human emotion, “Song of the Earth”explores man’s struggle to accept mortality, with the Messenger of Death stalking the action throughout, and the hope and renewal that comes with death.

Scottish Ballet opens Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at the Music Center

Photo credit: 

Music Center

Jorma Elo's brand new work “Kings 2 Ends,” created for the Scottish Ballet, is a collision of the two very different energies found in Mozart’s “Violin Concerto No 1” and Steve Reich’s “Double Sextet.” Both lyrical and playful, Elo’s vibrant choreography invites the audience to simply immerse themselves in the piece and to discover their own personal meaning.

The Scottish Ballet recently celebrated 40 years of dance and has gained international acclaim for its classical technique performed with contemporary attitude and its broad repertoire including both classical and fiercely contemporary works. It is currently under the artistic direction of former Royal Ballet dancer and choreographer Ashley Page, who was in 2006 awarded an OBE in the Queen’s birthday honors list for his service to dance. Page will be with the Company until summer 2012.

The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion is located at 135 North Grand Avenue in Downtown Los Angeles. For a complete performance schedule and ticket information visit musiccenter.org.