“Silent Shadows is set in the realm of the dead. A newly deceased soul arrives, confused, and is comforted by resident spirits.” This brief description could sum up the ballet’s plot. Music and dance share the ability to vividly depict in abstraction concepts that are difficult to rationalize - like the idea of death. Rather than trying to make the dancers “act dead,” I was looking for ways to suggest an experience of disorientation - the performers dance part of the ballet with their eyes closed - and loss of voice. Along with the three figures we see moving on stage, there is a fourth presence: the sound, with the plaintively held notes of Giacinto Scelsi’s monochrome music.

Choreography: Miro Magloire
Duration: 14 min.
Music: Giacinto Scelsi, Xnoybis for Violin
By arrangement with Boosey & Hawkes, Inc., Sole agent in the US, Canada and Mexico for Editions Salabert, a Universal Music Publishing Group company, publisher and copyright owner.
Costumes: Candice Thompson
World Premiere: January 18th, 2008
Original Cast: Denise Small, Emily SoRelle Adams and Lauren Toole

Photos by: Kristin Lodoen Linder