In collaboration with the Royal Opera House, Sadler’s Wells, O2 Academy Brixton and East London Dance at Stratford Circus, Hofesh Shechter Company announce #HOFEST, a four week season of work presented across London: something for everyone.
#HOFEST will be the company’s largest season of work in the capital to date. Through a range of events and performances audiences will be able to explore contemporary dance in ways, and venues, that question the perception and push the boundaries of the art form.
Artistic Director Hofesh Shechter said: "it's a privilege to have a company of such extraordinary and versatile dancers and to have the opportunity to work with them in so many different ways and on very different productions in a richness of contexts. I'm so excited to see what we can do together."
The season begins with Shechter’s opera directorial debut with a new production of Gluck’s Orphée et Eurydice (14 September to 3 October) at the Royal Opera House, co-directed with John Fulljames, conducted by Sir John Eliot Gardiner and featuring Hofesh Shechter Company. Peruvian tenor Juan Diego Flórez, performs the role of Orphée and leads a cast that also includes British soprano Lucy Crowe as Eurydice and American soprano Amanda Forsythe sings Amour.
Director of Opera for The Royal Opera House, Kasper Holten said: "artistic courage is always key when programming The Royal Opera Season. So, inviting contemporary artists such as Hofesh Shechter, who will be directing his first opera ever with us next season, is a very important part of our work."
John Fulljames, Associate Director of Opera for The Royal Opera commented: "I’m thrilled to be collaborating with Hofesh Shechter, whose shows I’ve loved for many years. It has been a real joy to develop the ideas for the production with Hofesh, who has developed such a strong language with his company of dancers and who brings such freshness to the world of opera. Orphée et Eurydice is essentially a communal ritual which integrates singers, dancers and musicians—so it feels like just the right opera for a collaboration like this."
At the same time, the company will perform barbarians (18 to 25 September) at Sadler’s Wells in repertory with its Royal Opera House performances. This brand new evening brings together the barbarians trilogy in the UK for the first time. barbarians presents a sparse world in three wildly different takes on intimacy, passion and the banality of love.
Alistair Spalding, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of Sadler’s Wells, commented: "since his appointment as a Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist in 2008, it has been a pleasure to work closely with Hofesh, present many of his works on our stage and see his career continue on an upward trajectory. Following the successful première of his barbarians in love as part of an evening showcasing our Associates’ work in February, I look forward to introducing the whole barbarians trilogy to our audiences."
#HOFEST will also bring Shechter’s Political Mother: The Choreographer’s Cut (7 and 8 October) to O2 Academy Brixton for the first time. Forty dancers and musicians will bring the atmosphere of a rock gig to contemporary dance, at one of London’s most iconic music venues.
Nigel Downs, General Manager for O2 Academy Brixton stated: “it is a privilege to welcome this show and Hofesh Shechter Company to O2 Academy Brixton. Whilst it’s different to our usual programming, this production perfectly unites contemporary dance with the soundtrack and atmosphere of a rock show; so joining these elements in a celebrated and iconic music venue is the perfect combination.”
In partnership with East London Dance, the new apprentice company, Shechter Junior, returns from its European tour with deGeneration (1 and 2 October) at Stratford Circus. Tackling two creations from Shechter's canon, Cult (2004) and Fragments (2003), the works that introduced his brand of dance to the world, plus a UK première of a piece adapted from an earlier work by Shechter, reworked especially for and inspired by the dancers of Shechter Junior.
Shechter Junior also joins the main company in Orphée et Eurydice an opportunity to see the 22-strong company performing together for the first time.
Polly Risbridger, Director of East London Dance, commented: "we are delighted to be premiering Shechter Junior at Stratford Circus as part of a long term partnership with Hofesh Shechter Company.
"The partnership grew out of demand from the young people and artists we work with, and offers a whole range of masterclasses, residencies, performances and events in which our local talent can collaborate and exchange with Hofesh Shechter Company.
"Botis Seva, one of the most interesting up-and-coming choreographers from east London, has had an incredible opportunity to work with Hofesh as a Creativ Apprentice for Shechter Junior. I feel very proud to see the dance talent from east London being profiled and nurtured as part of this world-class young company and can’t wait to welcome them to Stratford."
The season will be complimented by a number of workshops and interactive events across London including an immersive podcast produced by Fuel and adapted for a live experience. A full list of additional events will be announced in the coming months.