“The accentuations of the steps look now back to the 19th-century Danish master Bournonville, now forward to the modern-dance master Merce Cunningham, but they all look entirely of the world of “Arrantza.” And this suite of solos, vividly delivered by all, is the best demonstration of Mr. McIntyre’s excellence as a dance maker.”
“The implicit risk and loneliness and their [Basque] travels inspired rich oral histories in song and dance, the world that McIntyre vividly displays through sprightly couplings.”
“McIntyre used Basque dance steps as the basis for the work and beautifully blended them into the fabric of his own contemporary ballet style. Every time one of the dancers whipped out a traditional Basque step, such as Brett Perry’s touch of “Agurra,” cheers followed.”
“There were standing ovations for many of the groups but it was Arrantza, the interpretive dance by the Trey McIntyre Project, that grabbed the limelight.”
CHOREOGRAPHY: Trey McIntyre
MUSIC: Dan Ansotegui (accordion, txistu), Sean Aucutt (tambourine) Cathy Clarkson (txistu, drum) Miren Aizpitarte (alboka); Agur Jaunak performed by Oldarra, Interviews with Lucy Garatea, Alberto Santana Ezkerra, Dianne Pierce, and Adelia Simplot
COSTUMES: Sandra Woodall
LIGHTING: Travis C. Richardson
PREMIERE COMPANY: Trey McIntyre Project
DATE OF PREMIERE: 07/30/2010
LENGTH: 20 minutes
NUMBER OF DANCERS: 10
