On Wednesday, June 25, Mike Telin had the opportunity to attend a ChamberFest Cleveland rehearsal of Tan Dun’s Ghost Opera for String Quartet and Pipa, with Water, Stones, Paper and Metal, which will be presented in Kulas Hall at the Cleveland Institute of Music on Saturday, June 28 at 8:00 pm. The performance will feature the world premiere of choreography by GroundWorks Dance Theater artistic director David Shimotakahara. The performance promises to be an emotional experience. Tan Dun’s music is captivating and the choreography adds a new and wonderful dimension to the music. The production is a collaboration that requires a lot of sharing of ideas between the musicians, the dancers and the collective. As violinist Amy Schwartz Moretti said, “I’ve never done anything like this before. You can only prepare so much at home, because everything needs to be discussed with your colleagues. But we’re all having a great time!” (Click on the images to enlarge.)
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- Warming up before the rehearsal.
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- David Shimotakahara talks with dancers Noelle Cotler and Damien Highfield.
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- Rehearsal in progress.
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- Annika Sheaff (R), Felise Bagley (C) & Noelle Cotler (L).
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- Dancers and musicians in rehearsal.
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- Page of Tan Dun’s score.
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- David Shimotakahara discusses details with members of the quartet (background).
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- David Shimotakahara with violinists Diana Cohen (blue) and Amy Schwartz Moretti.
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- Members of the dance company.
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- Amy Schwartz Moretti bowing a tam-tam in water.
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- Diana Cohen buzzing two pieces of paper.
