BALLETS JAZZ MONTREAL
“The show is not to be seen as recital where the pieces follow on from another; instead, it is a complete dance party.”
Louis Robitaille quoted by Rosita Boisseau, in an article Un ballet sur les classiques de Leonard Cohen, published in Le Monde newspaper on 15 December, 2019
DANCE ME – MUSIQUE DE LEONARD COHEN TO THE END OF LOVE… In 2015, Louis Robitaille, then artistic director of Les Ballets Jazz Montréal, realised a dream: devise a ballet based on the great classics of Leonard Cohen. From Suzanne (1967) to Hallelujah (1984) via Dance Me to the End of Love (1984) and more recent titles, such as It Seemed the Better Way (2016). Thus, a show was born: Dance Me – Music by Leonard Cohen. This exclusive creation for fourteen dancers, inspired by the work of the poet, artist and songwriter of Montreal origin, was approved, during his lifetime, by Leonard Cohen. Through sixteen titles composed between 1967 and 2016, the tribute paid to him by Ballets Jazz Montréal evokes the great cycles of existence.
Accompanied by playwright Éric Jean, the show’s choreographic writing was entrusted to three internationally renowned artists: Andonis Foniadakis, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and Ihsan Rustem. Together, they have devised a show that combines scenic, visual, musical, dramaturgical and choreographic writing to celebrate one of Montreal’s greatest artistic ambassadors. Dance Me – Music by Leonard Cohen is an emblematic work in the repertoire of the contemporary dance company, now under the artistic direction of Alexandra Damiani.
