Pastoral

Duration: 75 minutes, without a break

Pastoral is a captivating ballet production choreographed by Thierry Malandain for Ballet Biarritz. This innovative work takes inspiration from the pastoral genre, a tradition in literature, music, and art that celebrates the idyllic beauty of rural life and nature.

In Pastoral Malandain creates a visually stunning and emotionally evocative exploration of the natural world, weaving together elements of classical ballet and contemporary dance to convey the timeless themes of love, harmony, and the cycle of life.

One of the defining features of Pastoral is its seamless integration of music and movement. Malandain collaborates with composers whose scores capture the essence of the natural world, from the delicate melodies of birdsong to the majestic sweep of orchestral strings. The music serves as a powerful backdrop for the dancers' performances, enhancing the emotional resonance of each scene and drawing audiences deeper into the world of the ballet.

At its core, Pastoral is a celebration of the beauty and wonder of the natural world, inviting audiences to immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of the countryside. Through its breathtaking choreography, evocative storytelling, and stunning visual design, the ballet captures the essence of the pastoral tradition while offering a fresh and contemporary interpretation that resonates with audiences of all ages.

Malandain Ballet Biarritz
Created in 1998, the Centre Chorégraphique National de Nouvelle-Aquitaine en Pyrénées-Atlantiques / Malandain Ballet Biarritz has quickly become one of the most important companies of the French choreographic landscape. Composed of 22 permanent dancers, it has acquired a solid reputation with about a hundred annual performances on French, European and international stages.

With more than 85 choreographies to his credit, Thierry Malandain has developed a repertoire that gives priority to the dancing body, its power, its virtuosity, its humanity and its sensuality. Through his creations, with a high sense of musicality, he strives to develop his own writing in search of harmony between modern and classical registers, current events and History. Every performer of the company is experienced in the ballet technique that translates and expresses itself throughout the prism of Thierry Malandain’s work.

In 2019, Thierry Malandain was appointed to the Académie des beaux-arts in Choreography Department, along with Blanca Li, Angelin Preljocaj and more recently Carolyn Carlson.

Thierry MalandainThierry Malandain is a renowned choreographer and the artistic director of Ballet Biarritz, a prominent contemporary ballet company based in Biarritz, France. Born in 1962 in southwestern France, Malandain trained as a dancer at the Rosella Hightower Dance School in Cannes before pursuing a successful career as a performer with various companies across Europe.
Malandain's choreographic approach is characterized by a deep reverence for classical ballet combined with a willingness to explore new movement vocabulary and themes. His works often draw inspiration from literature, mythology, and art history, weaving together narrative elements with abstract choreography to create emotionally resonant performances.

One of Malandain's notable achievements is his reimagining of classical ballets and iconic works of literature through a contemporary lens. He has created acclaimed adaptations of classics such as "Cinderella," "Swan Lake," and "Romeo and Juliet," infusing these timeless stories with fresh perspectives and innovative choreography.