Companhia Portuguesa de Bailado Contemporâneo (Portugal)

Amaramália

2/5 (Monday)
8pm     Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium     Tickets: MOP 150, 100, 80

This new version of the ballet Amaramália is a synthesis of three separate choreographies crafted by Vasco Wellenkamp between 1990 and 1994 for three important European dance companies. The first work was created for the Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève, the second for the National Ballet of Croatia, and the third work, which was performed in Macao in 1995, was choreographed for the Gulbenkian Ballet. Expounding an original Portuguese rhetoric, Amaramália gives full expression to the art of the Companhia Portuguesa de Bailado Contemporâneo (Portuguese Company of Contemporary Dance), led by Vasco Wellenkamp and Liliana Mendonça. Thirteen dancers (eight women and five men) give life to this magnificent synthesis, a work that clearly reflects Wellenkamp’s sense of authenticity. He is a true master of working with larger ensembles, and his choreography transcends the mere illustration of Amalia’s songs. The result not only highlights the Portuguese Fado, it carries the essence of Lisbon to other places around the world.

“(...) But could one – should one? – dance to such music that is essentially a dialogue between the singer and the song. This was the challenge bravely accepted and splendidly met by the Companhia Portuguesa de Bailado Contemporâneo making its North American debut at the Joyce Theater on Tuesday night with Vasco Wellenkamp’s haunting Amaramália – Abandono. (…)”
Clive Barnes, New York Post, USA 

Co-founders: Vasco Wellenkamp and Graça Barrosa
Choreography: Vasco Wellenkamp
Original Music: Carlos Zíngaro
Fado Recordings: Amália Rodrigues, Voice
Sets: Wilson Galvão
Costume Design: Liliana Mendonça
Lighting Design: Orlando Worm
Dancers: Emílio Cervelló, Raquel Dias, Susana Lima, Ricardo Freire, Liliana Mendonça, Ana Rocha Néné, Gustavo Oliveira, Fábio Pinheiro, Rita Reis, Isadora Ribeiro, Jose Román and Cláudia Sampaio

Duration: approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, no interval