Danse Melange delivered an October treat Thursday night with a chilling and suspenseful restaging of the opera Peter Grimes that blended sublimely balletic and operatic performances.
The night wasn't all darkness, though, beginning with an upbeat medley of song and dance in a variety of genres. Arkansas Festival Ballet, under the direction of Rebecca Stalcup, felt newly invigorated in its first three dances, the delicate and charming "Fairy Tale Pas De Deux" being the highlight.
Always a standout with her honey-rich voice, the incomparable Satia Spencer delighted with several standards, the most glorious a perfectly anguished version of George Gershwin's "My Man's Gone Now." In Spencer's capable hands, it became a haunting prelude to the second act's Peter Grimes.
The challenging work is the dark tale beginning with the death of Peter Grimes' young apprentice at sea. The villagers, save for Ellen, Peter's love, shun the tormented fisherman, who stands accused but is ultimately cleared of a crime. The much-heralded opera by Benjamin Britton (libretto by Montagu Slater) was condensed to 45 minutes for this reinterpretation, yet loses none of its bite. On the contrary, the pacing heightened the suspense.
The performances by leads Matthew Morley in dance and Luke Angelo in song were masterful. The two were often unsettling in their intensity and mirrored movements. Their torment was palpable. Ekaterina Kotcherguina gave a commanding vocal performance as the mournful schoolteacher, with Emily Karnes equally captivating as her dance counterpart.
A strong supporting cast of dancers and singers rounded out the production. The addition of dancers as the sea goddesses Calm and Storm brought more of Stalcup's hauntingly beautiful choreography to life.
A second performance of Danse Melange takes place at 7:30 p.m. today in the theater of the Albert Pike Masonic Center. Tickets, which can be purchased in advance at arkansasdance.org, are $20 for adults and $15 for students and children. Street-level parking is available around the center as well as at the Donaghey Parking Plaza.
Metro on 10/17/2014