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In the late 1950s, Mexican American choreographer José Limón (1908–1972) and his young dance company toured Europe. As they traveled through Poland, in particular, Limón was horrified by the devastation wrought during World War II. But he also marveled at people’s faith and perseverance as they sought to rebuild their lives. Inspired by what he witnessed, Limón created “Missa Brevis,” a modern-dance work of tremendous depth and sweep in which a large community of dancers swirls around a solitary figure. The Limón Dance Company (last here in 1976), winner of the 2008 National Medal of Arts, comes to Northrop Auditorium March 19 to perform the 1958 “Missa Brevis,” one of Limón’s most powerful, humanistic, and timeless works. It “exemplifies the epic aspects of Limón’s choreography at its best,” says Carl Flink (B.A. ’90), chair of the Department of Theatre Arts & Dance, who danced in Limón’s company from 1992 to 1998. During that time, he performed both as a member of the group and in the role of the soloist. Choreographed to Hungarian composer Zoltán Kodály’s same-titled score, “Missa Brevis” has been called a communal hymn against war. While the community of dancers swirl in fear and hope, individual dancers emerge in solos of anguish or spiritual uplift. “As an audience member, you get the sense of an outsider or iconoclastic individual against this large, tight-knit group,” Flink explains. “While it’s not a good-versus-evil relationship, José did have a great passion for the stark opposites of life: the good and evil, the profane and the holy.” During the Northrop performance, Kodály’s score will be sung by the Oratorio Society of Minnesota, directed by Matthew Mehaffey, assistant professor of music and associate director of Choral Activities in the U’s School of Music. Helen Jensen from the Oratorio Society will play one of Northrop’s best-kept secrets: a four-manual Aeolian-Skinner organ, original and unaltered since its installation in the 1930s. In addition, nine students from the dance department will join the 12-member Limón company on stage. The students auditioned for the performance last spring. In August, Flink and his wife, Emilie Plauche Flink (also a former Limón company member), conducted an intensive workshop on the Limón technique, which uses breath, the body’s weight, gravity, and propulsion to express ideas and emotions. And last fall, former company member Sarah Stackhouse taught a five-week residency on the Limón technique and taught “Missa Brevis” to the students. “All of these opportunities have made the Limón experience a deep and rewarding one for the students,” Flink says. “The students have lived with this material for almost a year. And to work with professional dancers and perform with them on the Northrop stage is an invaluable real-life opportunity that teaches them how to evolve as dance artists.” The program also includes “The Traitor,” Limón’s meditation on Judas’s betrayal of Christ, and “Into My Heart’s House,” a work by former Limón Dance Company dancer Clay Taliaferro commissioned in celebration of the 100th anniversary of José Limón’s birth. The Limón Dance Company performs “Missa Brevis” March 19 at 7:30 p.m., at Northrop Auditorium. Tickets are $31 to $55. Call 612-624-2345 or visit www.northrop.umn.edu. —Camille LeFevre | |||||||||||||||
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