Northrop Presents Limon Dance Company 3/19

Recently awarded the National Medal of the Arts, the Limón Dance Company illustrates their innovative modern dance mastery at Northrop for an evening of dramatic expression and nuanced movements.

In 1958, Mexican-born choreographer José Limón created his masterpiece Missa Brevis, in response to war and the indomitable spirit of humanity. Limón and his fledgling company had just toured Poland, where against a background of war-ravaged cities they discovered people whose optimism and willingness to rebuild were profoundly inspiring. In honor of the people's "heroic serenity," as Limón wrote, he created Missa Brevis, a communal hymn against war and in celebration of the human spirit.

Students from the U of M Dance Program join the 12-member troupe in Missa Brevis, as well as the Oratorio Society of Minnesota performing Kodaly's score accompanied by the historic Northrop organ.

Like the arch-betrayer Judas Iscariot, the protagonist in the dance drama, The Traitor (1954), symbolizes all those tormented men who, loving too much, must hate; these men who to our own day must turn against their loyalties, friends and fatherlands, and in some fearful cataclysm of the spirit, betray them to the enemy.

Into My Heart's House by Clay Taliaferro, former principal dancer and assistant artistic director with the Limón Dance Company, was commissioned to celebrate Limón's 100th birthday, and was inspired by Limón's love for the music of J.S. Bach.

Come early and join us for the performance preview in Northrop's Studio 4 from 6:45 - 7:15 pm where Northrop Director Ben Johnson will interview Limón Dance Company Artistic Director Carla Maxwell.

For more information visit Northrop or call 612-624-2345. Click here to buy tickets now.