Project Rameau

That choreographer and artistic director Rafael Bonachela decided to match his Sydney Dance Company with the Australian Chamber Orchestra as equal star attractions was divine inspiration.

Jean-Philippe Rameau composed a great deal of music for dance theatre and was widely popular throughout Europe towards the end of the Baroque era. Yet when Rameau died, his works were largely forgotten; even today orchestral concerts and classical music radio stations tend to overlook his music.

Richard Tognetti, artistic director of ACO, recognised the missing physical aspects inherent in Rameau’s music and happily supported Bonachela’s proposal to work together in 2012. It’s been a critically praised association and Brisbane’s opening night audience enthusiastically added to that acclaim.

On this occasion the ACO was led by Dale Barltrop, courtesy of Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. He developed his musical talent locally in the Australian and Queensland Youth Orchestras as well as the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.

The orchestra on their raised rostrum filled the back half of the stage while the dancers complemented their music with the physicality inherent in Rameau’s compositions. (There was a nod toward two of his better-known contemporaries, Vivaldi and Bach, who also wrote in strong rhythms.)

Sydney Dance Company, sixteen stunningly perfect bodies in minimal smartly designed tops and briefs, danced barefoot in solos, duets and various group combinations, as orchestral extensions. Elegant, supple, sometimes acrobatic, they and the instrumentalists achieved precision that left us clamouring for more.

This performance is at the French-Champagne-and-Beluga-Caviar end of the entertainment menu – something everyone should experience at least once in their lives.

Jay McKee