“Pitch”, in the footsteps of Tchaikovsky with the ballet of the Opéra du Grand Avignon
By Christian Visticot
Friday January 21, on the boards of the Olympia theater in Arcachon, the twelve dancers of the ballet of the Opéra du Grand Avignon performed “Pitch”, a choreography by Martin Harriague, in tribute and to music by Piotr Tchaikovsky, whose tutelary portrait dominates the scene throughout the show.
Twelve performers whose technique and energy we can only salute, in a variety of costumes and lighting. In a very contemporary aesthetic, but also sometimes baroque. It is original and very successful.
Excerpts from the composer’s great works are staged, from his opera “Eugene Onegin”, to his “Spanish Symphony”, passing by the famous “Sleeping Beauty”, “Swan Lake” whose step is recognizable. four, slightly revisited, “The Nutcracker” and “Symphony No. 6” (“Pathétique”) which evoke the tragic end of Tchaikovsky – whose portrait then collapses.
“Pitch”, the anagram of the beginning of the first name and surname, is not only a too brief summary of his work, but also, through the explicit choices of the choreography, the evocation of what was then considered as a drama and which tormented the composer throughout his life: his homosexuality.