Diaghilev and the Ballets Russes employed artifice to break creativity and ambiguity into the public consciousness of the early 20th century and leave a lasting impression on the world of dance, music and performance art. The actor Marco Cavalcoli plays the role of Diaghilev, who manipulates and seduces like a pied piper. The music by Michael Rauter is based on iconic works commissioned by the Ballets Russes, the central piece is a 70-minute version of Claude Debussy’s Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune. This work acts as a continuum from which the other pieces emerge, in which they are submerged, join together and reel off.

The soloist ensemble Kaleidoskop was founded in 2006. Over the years, the ensemble has undergone constant change and has repeatedly tried out innovative forms of music mediation. In collaboration with artists from other genres, Kaleidoskop searches for new forms of performance; the musicians themselves become performers and performers. The repertoire ranges from early baroque to contemporary music, and Kaleidoskop also designs its own musical concepts. Kaleidoskop works closely with Radialsystem V in Berlin and has collaborated with artists such as Sasha Waltz, Sabrina Hölzer, Jennifer Walshe, Georg Nussbaumer, Laurent Chétouane, Sebastian Claren and the band Mouse on Mars.

Cast:

Concept: Luigi De Angelis, Michael Rauter
Direction, lighting, set design: Luigi De Angelis
Musical direction: Michael Rauter
Music & performance: Solistenensemble Kaleidoskop
Performance: Marco Cavalcoli
Sound design: Johann Günther, Hubert Westkemper
Costumes: Chiara Lagani
Costumes assistance: N.N.
Skin painting: Nicola Fagnani
Lighting & set design assistance: Giovanni Cavalcoli
Dramaturgical collaboration: Boram Lie
Music: Michael Rauter, inspired by and based on excerpts of
Claude Debussy – Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune
Maurice Ravel – Daphnis & Chloe
Erik Satie – Parade
Igor Strawinsky – Le Sacre du printemps