Much ingrained in popular culture from TV commercials to the movie “White Chicks,” Antonio Vivaldi’s concerto “The Four Seasons” has become a trying cliche in the minds of many. And it may just take France’s Ballet Preljocaj to renew the well-known (and well-worn) 18th-century score.
Presented by UCLA Live, Ballet Preljocaj will perform “Les 4 Saisons,” a sensual and dynamic interpretation of “The Four Seasons,” in Royce Hall at 8 p.m. today and Saturday.
“The concept? For people to kind of have a good time,” said Claudia De Smet, ballet master of Ballet Preljocaj. “(It) can be seen that it’s very bright the four seasons. There is a lot of emotion.”
Since the company’s inception, Preljocaj has created 45 works, eight of which are still circulating in the company’s repertoire according to the company’s Web site. These creations range from a modern take on “Romeo and Juliet” (performed at UCLA in 1998), to a piece titled “Near Life Experience” (performed at UCLA in 2004), and finally to the latest “Blanche Neige” (“Snow White”), costumed by the high-profile French fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier.
The company’s appeal has extended to a variety of UCLA students, not limited to the dance-enthusiast crowd.
“I was looking for something fun to do,” said Anthony Erlinger, a fourth-year electrical engineering student. “A lot of it had to do with the fact that it was Vivaldi. I really like Vivaldi.”
Since the company was founded in 1984 by Preljocaj, it has established a diverse body of work, consistently challenging the dancers.
“Actually each piece has a different challenge, … different emotions,” recalled De Smet, who ““ prior to assuming the role of ballet master ““ spent many years with the company as a dancer. “Every piece is very different in the role. You can really have your movement.”
This time around, Preljocaj enlisted the help of the artist Fabrice Hyber, a prominent figure in the French art world, to design the set.
What resulted was what De Smet described as a unique and active set.
“So there are some … accessories? Yes, accessories, I think that’s the word. Props falling off like high-heel shoes, or sometimes sponges,” she said. “The stage is also developing in every way of the four seasons.”
As a young dancer, De Smet had only heard of the company by name until her boyfriend at the time introduced her to Preljocaj’s work. She put quite simply, “I followed him and I liked it.”
Now as a member of the company, De Smet likes the challenge of the high physical and technical demands of Preljocaj’s work.
“You get off (the stage), … your body is just like “˜Wow!’ ““ completely tired,” she said. “It’s like when you come out of an aerobics class, you don’t want to feel like you have not-sore muscles. That’s what I like as a dancer.”
De Smet will be dancing in the place of one of the dancers in these performances due to an injury.
According to De Smet, one scene in the work particularly showcases the high degree of dance technicality usually demanded by Preljocaj’s work. The scene is danced in unison and with a very physical aspect.
“The dancers in our company have very good technicality to kind of enjoy and transfer the energy of the music and bring it out in movement,” De Smet said.
The 26 permanent dancers of the company are from a diverse range of backgrounds and nationalities. According to De Smet, it is ultimately Preljocaj’s choice as to which dancers to bring into the company, but she believes the company looks for strong technicality, good knowledge of the body and, in particular, individuality and personality.
“People will do the same movement, but even if the movement is written the same, on each person it looks different,” she said.
Since “Les 4 Saisons” premiered at the Montpellier Dance Festival in 2005, the company has toured with the work around the world and in many cities across the United States, receiving very different reactions at each venue, according to De Smet.
“I mean they laugh a lot. I think it’s just funny as well ““ many moments are hilarious,” she said. “I think you Americans just like to laugh. Compared to other cities in France, here you just feel that (the audience is) a part of the show.”
“Les 4 Saisons” at Royce Hall will mark Ballet Preljocaj’s first appearance in Los Angeles since 2004.
“The last time we were here at UCLA was five years ago. We’re very happy: It’s nice to get in the university theater,” De Smet said. “I hope the audience has fun. Because it’s an exchange, you know. … It’s the kick. It’s going to make it even more dynamic.”