Coloratura
World Premiere 2022 / Te Whaea Theatre
Commissioned by New Zealand School of Dance,
Palucca Hoschule für Tanz
Choreographer Loughlan Prior
Composer Nicola Porpora,
Oliver Davis,
Geminiano Giacomelli,
Riccardo Broschi
Costume Design Max de Roy
Lighting Design Wendy Clease
Video footage: Jeremy Brick
Photography: Stephen A'Court
Program Notes:
Fun, Fuchsia, quirky and irreverent, Coloratura pays homage to the vocal mastery and comedic timing of world renown soprano singer Cecilia Bartoli. There is high energy and pure joy in every note, inspiring an infectious celebration of dance.
Originally created for Palucca Hoschule für Tanz Dresden, this stylish work never made it to the stage due to the covid pandemic. Now in 2022 the piece finds a new home at the New Zealand School of Dance and has been expanded into a large ensemble work to feature the talents of every student.
Coloratura is a glorious riot of colour and irreverence, involving a large ensemble cast of all the classical stream students from each of the NZSD year groups.
- Brigitte Knight, DANZ
Coloratura took the audience on a terrifically clever and hilarious journey. Extremely well timed canons undulating throughout the space unfolding into varied motifs seem to appear and ravel out of nowhere, highlighting the choreographers skill. - Danielle Brown, Dance Train Magazine
It is reminiscent of a deck of cards shuffling and cascading around their Queen of Hearts. Prior has thought about what it means to have so many bodies in the space and how this could be interesting rather than looking like a pink blob. The bodies all look natural, moving of their own choice, each doing something interesting, fun, and bizarre, and yet all still unified. - Emily Hope, Art Murmurs