Repertory Dance Theatre to Tribute Jose Limon with REVERE

Repertory Dance Theatre is culminating its 50th anniversary season with a tribute to José Limón. The Company will honor Limón by performing two of his masterworks accompanied by live music at REVERE, April 14-16, 2016 at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center. The concert will bring together choral artists from Salt Lake Vocal Artists, conducted by Brady Allred; a world-renowned pianist from Russia, Vassily Primakov; guest dancers from the University of Utah; and organist Brian Mathias, all as a tribute to a true modern dance legend.

Limón's work, whose Company is celebrating its own 70th anniversary this year, has been a part of RDT's vast repertory since 1967. For REVERE, his two choreographic masterpieces will feature live music through collaborations with the Salt Lake Vocal Artists and Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation.

"Suite from MAZURKAS," originally choreographed in 1958, was created in honor of the cities and people of Poland. During a trip to Europe after World War II, Limón was deeply moved by the courage of the Polish people and created the work as a tribute to their heroic spirit. "MAZURKAS" stands as a remarkable example of how to translate national and character dance to the stage.

The piece will be performed to live piano music by internationally-known Chopin interpreter and Gina Bachauer Silver Medalist, Vassily Primakov from Russia. Gramophone wrote that "Primakov's empathy with Chopin's spirit could hardly be more complete." And Music Web-International called Primakov's Chopin concertos CD "one of the great Chopin recordings of recent times. These are performances of extraordinary power and beauty."

RDT will also re-stage Limón's 1958 work, "MISSA BREVIS." Limón's powerful choreography is a memento to human resilience and the cities destroyed during WWII. When RDT performed the piece in 2013, one reviewer stated, "...this is perhaps the must-see dance piece of the year."

The masterwork will be performed by RDT dancers with guest dancers from the University of Utah, which hosted RDT from 1966-1992. The score by Zoltán Kodály is written for mixed chorus and organ and will be performed live by Salt Lake Vocal Artists (directed by Brady Allred) and organist Brian Mathias.

After 50 years of revolutionary modern dance, RDT continues to build community, and REVERE is no exception.

The Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center is located at 138 West 300 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84101). Tickets -- $15-$30 -- are available through ArtTix.