Ballett Zürich . Cathy Marston . Tonkünstler-Orchester

With Clara, Ballett Zürich takes us into the world of the pianist and composer Clara Schumann. Together with the Tonkünstler Orchestra of Lower Austria, the result is a rousing synthesis of the arts about love, art and the struggle with social expectations.

For Ballet Zurich, the new chief choreographer Cathy Marston traces the many facets of Clara Schumann – wunderkind, artist, wife, mother, carer, manager and muse – and has this complexity embodied by not just one, but seven dancers. Driven by Clara Schumann's devotion to music, the production touches on questions that are still relevant today: How does one decide between one's own creative endeavours and the obligations of life? What role do social expectations play? Philip Feeney's music, inspired by works by Clara and Robert Schumann as well as Johannes Brahms, creates a haunting sound space that is filled with devotion by the Tonkunstler Orchestra.

The Zurich Ballet is one of the most outstanding companies in the German-speaking world. With Cathy Marston as director, it has gained a ballet personality who is known for her narrative ballets that shed new light on great personalities such as Jane Eyre or Jacqueline du Pré.

CAST

Cathy Marston Choreography, Clara Schumann, Robert Schumann,
Johannes Brahms, Philip Feeney Music, Zurich Ballet Dance, Ragna Schirmer Piano, Daniel Capps Musical direction, Tonkünstler-Orchester Niederösterreich