This deeply moving choreography by Bonachela is a reflection on the transience of life with a brilliant performance by the dancers. The live music by the Australian String Quartet was composed by two-time Grammy Award-winning composer Bryce Dessner. Four days after its premiere, the world came to a halt due to COVID-19; compositions were recorded during confinement, dancers rehearsed in isolation and, with the added excitement of a pandemic that has exposed so many vulnerabilities, Impermanence returned to the stage.
Experience the power of dance and music performed live together as Sydney Dance Company’s awe-inspiring ensemble performs alongside a string quartet. Impermanence is a visceral and thrilling exploration of the juxtaposition of beauty and devastation.
Australia’s most international company, the Sydney Dance Company, is directed by Catalan choreographer Rafael Bonachela. His career has seen him successfully span high art and popular culture, working across a range of art forms, including contemporary dance, art installations, pop concerts, musicals, film, commercials and fashion. Bonachela was born in La Garriga and moved to London to join the legendary Rambert dance company, where he was a member from 1992 to 2004. In 2008 Bonachela premiered his first major production for the Sydney Dance Company, 360°. Less than six months later he was appointed artistic director, heralding a new era in Australian contemporary dance.
Choreographer Rafael Bonachela / Composer Bryce Dessner / Music Features Another World by Anohni / Music Performed by Quatuor Zaide / Lighting Designer Damien Cooper / Stage Designer David Fleischer / Costume Designer Aleisa Jelbart / Australian String Quartet: Dale Barltrop – Violin I; Francesca Hiew – Violin II; Christopher Cartlidge – Viola; Michael Dahlenburg – Cello
Impermanence, a work by RafaelBonachela, featuring Bryce Dessner’s composition, Impermanence, commissioned by Sydney Dance Company and Australian String Quartet (by arrangement with Chester Music Ltd, Wise Music Group)
With generous support from The Neilson Foundation; Antoinette Albert, Don & Veronica Aldridge, The Berg Family Foundation, Paul Brady & Christine Yip, Jillian Broadbent AC & Olev Rahn, Jane & Andrew Clifford, Manuela Darling, Chum Darvall AM & Sonja Woodwell, Susie Dickson & Martin Dickson AM, Helen Pagnin & Angie Ellis, Bahar Etminan & Herbert Appleroth, John Griffiths & Beth Jackson, Janet & Michael Hayes, Alicia K Kemp, Joan Lyons, Jules Maxwell, In memory of Nola McCullagh, Janet McLachlan, Didy McLaurin, Catriona Mordant AM & Simon Mordant AO, Paris Neilson & Todd Buncombe, Rebel Penfold-Russell OAM & Ian Low, Dominique Robinson, Bernard Ryan & Michael Rowe, Jeanette Sandford-Morgan OAM, Penelope Seidler AM, Ezekiel Solomon AM, Allegra Spender & Mark Capps, Bianca Spender & Sam McGuinness, The Ian Wallace Family Bequest, Kathy White and Carla Zampatti Foundation.
Commissioning Partners The Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), Civic Theatre (City of Newcastle), Frankston Arts Centre, Glasshouse Port Macquarie, Griffith Regional Theatre, Mildura Arts Centre, Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, Ulumbarra Theatre (Bendigo Venues & Events).
Impermanence is presented in association with the Australian String Quartet. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body. The ASQ acknowledges musicians Sharon Grigoryan – cello and Rachael Tobin – cello, who have been part of the development and recording of this work.
