Dante Sonata - Project Background & Genesis
DANTE SONATA – S Y N O P S I S
In Dante’s Divine Comedy there are two characters. In the film they are performed and choreographed by two extraordinary dancers: Hannah Rudd, Beatrice – Divine Knowledge, and Miguel Altunaga Virgil – Human Reason.
Virgil and Beatrice are Dante’s guides through Hell and Purgatory, the two dancers are our ‘guides’ in the film. Choreographically we explored themes of Desire, Unrequited Love, Memory, Death and Loss and examined the movement through the eyes of Virgil and Beatrice. How they see each other and how they see themselves is part of the story. Dante Sonata is a collaboration that came about by chance through a meeting between Margaret and Executive Producer Sally Sparrow.
Russian pianist Arina Lazgiian was completing her studies at the Royal College of Music. She had been awarded the Benjamin Britten Piano Fellowship at the college. The Philip Loubser Foundation gives the award to an outstanding pianist in support of their studies and preparation for an international career.
As part of Arina’s Fellowship award she had an opportunity to complete a project to launch her international career as a concert pianist. Drawing inspiration from her Mother, who was a ballet dancer in Moscow, Ariana’s desire was to make a dance film to solo music.
When asked why she chose Liszt’s Dante Sonata, Arina replied, “It is very beautiful, temperamental and romantic music and it would provide contrast and passion for a beguiling choreography”.