English National Ballet GISELLE Preview – Meet GAVIN SUTHERLAND, Music Director

Read the Picture this Post (PTP)  interview with Gavin Sutherland (GS), Music Director for the English National Ballet, before the company presents the U.S debut of Akram Khan’s Giselle at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance February 28-March 2.

PTP: Please tell our readers a little bit about your background and how you came to the English National Ballet?

GS: I began my career playing music for ballet schools. At age 19 I was asked to play for Northern Ballet last minute, which then led me to other ballet organizations in the UK and eventually English National Ballet. I was then appointed to Music Director in 2008, where I am now responsible for all musical operations which includes talking to composers.

What does your role as Music Director entail?

As Music Director, I am the principal conductor for the English National Ballet Philharmonic, the largest ballet orchestra in Europe. I also deal work with some of the administrative dealings in our education programs and sponsorships. In addition, I have an artistic hand in guiding composers and choreographers, making them as comfortable as possible while they are working with us and creating new work. When we tour, I also have the great pleasure of working with and conducting orchestras around the world, like I will be doing with the Chicago Philharmonic while we are in Chicago.

Can you describe the music for Giselle?

GS: Vincenzo Lamagna is the composer for Giselle, and the choreographer Akram Khan, had a very good collaborative process together. For this project, Vince had the challenge of extracting elements from Adolphe Adam’s 1841 score, to complete an entirely new score for Akram’s new re-imagining.

The process led to at least 16 hour long days for Vince and I as Akram revised, repaced, and readdressed the music during the rehearsal period. I would come home each night after six hours of rehearsal with the manuscript and my headphones and transcribe, getting the score ready for the next day in rehearsals. We wanted it to be the best it could be for everyone - the dancers, my orchestra members, Akram, Vince, and the audience members coming to see the performance.

How do the music and dance complement each other?

One could not exist without the other. Akram and Vince had this sort of ESP between the two of them that made the music and movement go so well together that you couldn’t imagine one without the other. Akram loves this Bangladeshy form of dance, and mixed together with elements of ballet, they create a very interesting mixture of artistic elements. There is also a theatrical element to the production that is very much reflected in the music. Overall, it’s just a knockout evening.

This production is making only one stop in the U.S., here in Chicago. Why are you excited to come to Chicago and what do you think this production will bring to the city?

It’s a very special moment for us all to bring a piece that is exclusive to English National Ballet. It means that we are bringing something that is unique and representative of our company. ENB is moving from a humble English company to an internationally recognized name and it’s a very exciting time for us. Presenting this work in Chicago among its many different theaters, orchestras, and arts organizations is definitely a feather in our cap. I hope seeing Giselle spurs people to explore our company more and invite us back!

Why should audiences be excited about this production of Giselle?

I don’t want to give anything away about the movement or the amazing set, but the scale of the setting and Akram’s emotionally charged choreography surrounding the classic themes of Giselle: seduction, betrayal, and forgiveness, really does take the audience on a journey.

For the dance nerd, this production will give them so many choreographic elements to savor, and for a newer audience member, there is something very cinematic about this work, which is so appropriate for this day and age.

Tickets:

$60.00 - $155.00

For tickets and more information visit the Harris Theater website