Christopher Bruce (UK) was a dancer and choreographer for Ballet Rambert in London.
Ghost Dances takes place in a South American milieu, an allegorical perspective on life and death inspired by and derived from Native American cultures. Bruce referred to Chilean activist Victor Jara’s widow as a source of inspiration for the ballet. He dedicated Ghost Dances to the people of South America who have been continually oppressed since the days of the Spanish conquistadors. The work utilizes South American folk music performed by the well-known Chilean group Inti-Illimani. Much of the evocative mood in Ghost Dances is derived from the music.
It was Mats Ek, artistic director of the Cullberg Ballet, who while on a trip to Holland saw a performance by Ghost Dances (originally premiered in 1981)and became interested in Bruce’s work. Ek contacted Christopher Bruce in London to ask him whether he might set Ghost Dances on the Cullberg Ballet.
Bruce says of Ghost Dances that despite it being a game of life and death, it is ultimately the will to live that is its driving force and main thematic thrust.
The work was performed by eleven dancers from the Cullberg Ballet with original scenography by Christopher Bruce and costumes by Belinda Scarlett.
Music:
Inti Illimani, South American folk songs