Review from Le Mans - "Fantastic"

February 5th, 2008

A Fantastic Ballet at the Palais des Congrès

Last Sunday at Le Mans, Atlantic Ballet Theatre of Canada presented a magnificently produced and highly polished performance of a ballet that recasts the myth of the “Phantom of the Opera” in a very original choreography.

It was an intense performance, ranking among the great portraits of tragic love impeded by devastating passion, set to unexpected music by Francis Poulenc.

The very large audience at the Palais de Congrès was caught up from the start in the choreographer’s and the dancers’ artistry, tenderly attentive, even emotional, in response to a story that revives the plight of all great lovers in world literature, right down to the fatal frenzy.

The Canadian company is really excellent, successfully conveying the powerful drama of the story, and capturing the audience with brillantly sustained dynamics, in a lavishly choreographed crescendo.

The music, recorded, featured the finest performances, and its sound was delivered at true volume, without pushing the decibels, which is itself noteworthy.

Four Poulenc compositions support the ballet. Chosen with intelligent eclectism, they range from the tender sonata for violin and piano to the impressive organ concerto. It is doubtful that any music Poulenc wrote for ballet is as “operative” as these pieces created with other intentions. Choreograher Igor Dobrovolskiy has made the right choices.

Le Maine Libre – Feb. 5, 2008, Le Mans, France
(Translated from the original French)