Photos:
1- Richmond Ballet performing La Belle Danse. Photo by Aaron Sutton
2-7 - Cincinnati Ballet performing La Belle Danse. Photo by Peter Mueller
La Belle Danse
Choreography: Jessica Lang
Music: George Frideric Handel, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Arcangelo Corelli, Josquin des Prez
Set and Lighting Design: MK Stewart
Costume Design: Tamara CobusLength: 20 minutes
Dancers: 10
Commissioned by Richmond Ballet
World Premiere: September 11, 2007
“It's an extraordinary work; gracious, spirited and good-hearted.”
- David Lyman, The Community Press and Recorder, September 9, 2012
“Dynamic partnering, rapid-fire pirouettes and women leaping in rapid succession into their partner's arms matched the vibrancy of the classical music in a manner reminiscent of the high athleticism of Paul Taylor's 1975 masterpiece Esplanade...”
- Kerry Clawson, Akron Beacon Journal, August 19, 2012
“The choreography is superb, with each dancer or couple having moments in which to shine amid beautifully structured ensemble passages.”
- Philip Gardner, Oberon's Grove, May 5, 2012
“A complete pleasure...Lang has created visual music.”
- Susan Howson, RVA News, March 26, 2012
“a lush and lovely piece”
- David Lyman, The Cincinnati Enquirer, March 28, 2009
"La Belle Danse" began the evening with a well-plotted burst of joyous dancing”
- Jennifer Dunning, New York Times, March 04, 2008
“a new work by prolific young choreographer Jessica Lang”
- Julinda Lewis, Richmond Times Dispatch, September 13, 2007
Performance History:
Richmond Ballet:
September 11- 16, 2007 in Richmond, VA
March 1, 2008 in Brooklyn, NY
April 16, 2008 in Charlottesville, VA
March 22 - April 1, 2012
Cincinnati Ballet:
March 27-28, 2009 in Cincinnati, OH
August 17-18, 2012
September 6-16, 2012
Marymount Manhattan College:
May 3-12, 2012
American Ballet Theatre JKO School:
April 5, 2009
Point Park University:
November 16 - December 2, 2012
Alvin Ailey BFA Fordham Program:
November 12-13, 2013