La Création du monde
Fernand Léger and the African Art of the Barbier-Mueller Collections
October 24, 2000 - March 4, 2001

The Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève, the Ensemble Contrechamps, and the Musée d’art et d’histoire de Genève have combined forces and energies to bring back to life La Création du monde, one of the most innovative creations of the Ballets suédois.

A two-part show:

MUSIC

Against all academic tenets: wild music of the ‘20s
As an introduction and to place the ballet back in the context of its 1923 creation, the Ensemble Contrechamps, under the direction of Olivier Cuendet, conjures a musical universe imbued with jazz. 

On the program:
Igor Stravinski, Piano Rag-Music, 1918 
Georges Antheil, sonate Sauvage pour piano, 1923 
Darius Milhaud, 3 Chansons de négresse for voice and orchestra or piano, Op. 148b, 1935–1936 
Darius Milhaud, L’homme et son désir, ballet op. 48, scenario by Claudel, 1918 

BALLET
La Création du Monde: reconstruction of the 1923 ballet

Millicent Hodson and Kenneth Archer are veritable archeologists of dance who specialize in reconstructing ballets for which the original choreographies have been lost. For la Création du monde, they set about recreating Léger’s decor and costumes in a manner that was both freer and more sculptural than the original artist’s intent. The choreography underscores the symbolism of the animal, human, and divine realms.

With this ballet, the 27 dancers of the Ballet du Grand Théâtre, along with the 18 musicians in the Ensemble Contrechamps, were given an opportunity to experience a moment in history when the search for ancient ways came up against a bold, passionate modernity.

The ballet will be danced in the courtyard of the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire, which has been specially set up for the occasion.

PRODUCTION: 

Museum of Art and History
Artistic direction: Cynthia Odier 
Choreography, scenography and costumes: Millicent Hodson and Kenneth Archer according to Jean Börlin and Fernand Léger 
Realization of decorations: John Campbell Scenic Studio 
Realization of costumes and masks: Phil Reynolds and Robert Allsopp supervised by Diane William 

Music: 
Igor Stravinski, Piano Rag-Music, on 1918 
Georges Antheil, Wild sonata for piano, on 1923 
Darius Milhaud, 3 Negress's Songs op. 148b for voice(vote) and piano, 1936-37 
Darius Milhaud, The man and his desire, ballet op. 48 
Darius Milhaud, The Creation of the world, the ballet op. 81, 1923 interpreted by Ensemble Contrechamps 
Musical direction: Olivier Cuendet 
Argument: Blaise Cendrars 
Lights: Manuel Bernard 

THANKS and LINKS

Les Musées d'art et d'histoire de la Ville de Genève 
Le Département des affaires culturelles de la Ville de Genève 
Le Grand Théâtre de Genève 
Ensemble Contrechamps 
Ballet Old & New 
John Campbell Scenic Studio 
Diane Williams 
Lombard Odier & Cie 
Arthur Andersen SA 
La Fondation Nestlé pour l’art 
Le Musée Barbier Mueller 
Dansmuseet, Stockholm 
Le Musée Fernand Léger. Biot, France