Featuring world première works from two modern masters – an esteemed Greek choreographer Andonis Foniadakis, in his debut presentation to Australian audiences, and Sydney Dance Company artistic director Rafael Bonachela – Sydney Dance Company will present an exclusive Sydney-only season of the dance work Louder than Words, opening October 4 at Sydney Theatre.
It will be the first time the work of one of Europe’s most exciting young dancers and choreographers, Andonis Foniadakis, will be seen in Australia.
As a freelance choreographer, Foniadakis has collaborated with some of the most distinguished and recognised dance artists and companies of his time including Martha Graham Dance Company, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, Geneva Ballet, Lyon Opera Ballet and Bern Ballet, to name a few. His commissions have included operas for Opera National du Rhin and Grame Lyon.
In 2003 he formed his own dance company, Apotosoma, based in Lyon.
In 2013, Foniadakis made his film industry debut, collaborating with Darren Aronofsky, as movement coordinator for the epic film Noah starring Russell Crowe.
For the new Sydney Dance Company work, Foniadakis will join forces with another Greek talent, renowned fashion designer and photographer Tassos Sofroniou, also currently in Australia to create costumes for the SDC production.
The production features an original score by French composer Julien Tarride who, alongside Sofroniou, is a regular collaborator with Foniadakis.
From measured grace to explosive power, Louder Than Words is beautiful, brash, bold and unapologetic, a showcase of movement that’s impossible to contain.
In Parenthesis, Foniadakis’ new work for Sydney Dance Company, he focuses on the relation of duality in an intimate relationship, creating an environment of sensuality, comfort and ease, whilst also exploring the feelings of disorder, discomfort and chaos that results when the balance is disrupted.
Louder Than Words will showcase the ideas and unique movement vocabulary of two modern masters, Foniadakis and Bonachela, who share the bill for the first time, for a two-week season at Sydney Theatre, from 4 to 18 October.
Constantly on the lookout for exceptional choreographic talent to bring to Australia, Sydney Dance Company artistic director Rafael Bonachela says that whilst Foniadakis’ upbeat and energetic style initially caught his attention, it was the range of his work that truly inspired the commission.
“Before meeting Andonis I researched his work and watched numerous performances and was impressed by how well he works with smaller, more contemporary companies, alongside his large-scale commissions for more classically focused companies, creating works with a lot of dancers and big sets,” Bonchela says.
“He has a great range and a generous movement expression vocabulary and I know that his work will look great on the company, drawing on the strength of their mixed classical and contemporary backgrounds.”
Louder than Words is on at Sydney Theatre, for 11 shows only, from 4 to 18 October. Book at www.sydneytheatre.org.au or contact 02 9250 1999. For more information, visit www.sydneydancecompany.com