RD Créations

SYNOPSIS

A churning, beating humanity is evoked in this social symphony in constant evolution, a work that proposes a tempest of bodies, sound compositions, and immersive visual installations inspired by data culled from citizens and scientists. This grand gesture composed of musicians and dancers will attempt to illuminate and transform the stage into a great heart pulsing humanity. Tensions in a dance-music duet, a decagon of violins combining the impressive physicality of plural bodies and songs in invented language. The sum of it all will spring forth like an ode to the polyrhythmic power of the heart.

DESCRIPTION

The company's new work is Symphony of hearts (SYDC), a large-scale project combining the arts of dance and music about the heart, created for the first time in partnership with three philharmonic orchestras: Orchestre Métropolitain (Montreal), National Arts Centre Orchestra Ottawa (Ottawa) and Orchestra della Svizzera italiana (Lugano). The work is also supported by three producers, Danse Danse, the National Arts Centre of Ottawa and LAC Lugano arte e cultura (Switzerland). Based on Rhodnie Désir's choreographic-documentary approach, the research was supported by the Fonds de Recherche du Québec and carried out at two medical institutions: the Montreal Heart Institute and the Istituto Cardiocentro Ticino of Lugano. The research was also completed with testimonials from citizens and young students from Collège Jean Eudes (Montreal), as well as patient-partners living with heart disease.

Symphony of hearts combines arts and sciences to address the beauty and flaws of the heart and cardiovascular system. The premiere is on April 4, 2024 with Danse Danse for three performances, followed by May 30 at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa and an international performance at LAC Lugano arte e cultura in June.

SYDC is the original idea of Rhodnie Désir, following an inspiring meeting with maestro Yannick Nézet-Séguin in 2021. Since 2022, following extensive documentary research at two institutions specializing in heart health, and over forty people interviewed, and more than a dozen recognized creators, the work proposes a tempest of bodies, sound compositions, and immersive visual installations inspired by data culled from citizens and scientists. This grand gesture made up of musicians and dancers will seek to transform the stage into a great choir, drawing on the storms and beats of the cardiovascular system as well as the romantic heart.

CHOREOGRAPHIC PROCESS

Rhodnie Désir has developed a new creative approach through choreographic-documentary. This unique transmission process is inspired by encounters in order to arrive at choreographic creation. These sessions take the form of interviews with those whom she calls "bearers of memory," citizens from all walks of life who share their history and experience. These accounts nourish and inspire the choreographer who manifests this accumulation of new knowledge through movement. A movement that is first done rhythmically, in collaboration with a local musician, allows the essence of these voices to be conveyed in the form of rhythm. From this exchange, a first gesture is born. Then, through the body, Rhodnie Désir crystallizes all these experiences and discoveries. A new choreographic work thus sees the light of day. The gesture is therefore anchored in the terrain in which it was created, becoming both tribute and memory.

Good evening, everyone,

We’re delighted to join you tonight for the world premiere of Rhodnie Désir’s new work.

Symphonie de cœurs is the result of a major collaboration involving not only conductor Naomi Woo and the 60 musicians of the Orchestre Métropolitain, but also a large team of enthusiastic artists. This show marks the culmination of a long process combining choreography and documentary research, during which Rhodnie Désir met with cardiologists and with patients affected by cardiovascular disease to immerse herself in an in-depth study of the heart. Inspired by the stories and knowledge shared during these exchanges, she then translated the heart’s pulsations into movement and music. It’s a symphony in dance from a woman who is committed to making a difference in society.

To support this bold project, Danse Danse joined forces for the second time with the National Arts Centre (NAC) and Lugano Arte e Cultura (LAC). The aim of this partnership is to give an artist the opportunity to explore new horizons and to present a large-scale work in three venues: at Danse Danse in Montreal, but also at the National Arts Centre (Ottawa) with the NAC Orchestra, and at the Lugano Arte e Cultura (Switzerland) with the Orchestra della Svizzera italiana.

Tonight, we’re thrilled to be discovering Symphonie de cœurs with you.

Enjoy the show!

Pierre Des Marais — Artistic and Executive Director.

***

Territorial Acknowledgement

Danse Danse acknowledges that we are gathered on the traditional and unceded territory of the Kanien’keha:ka Nation. We honour the continued presence of Indigenous peoples on the Tiohtiá:ke (Montreal) territory, which has long served as a meeting place for exchanges between nations. With respect for the links to the past, present and future, we thank the Indigenous peoples for reminding us of the importance of living in harmony with ourselves, with each other and with nature, and we are grateful for the opportunity to present works of living art at Tiohtiá:ke.

I became interested in the heart.
The organ that pumps inside us: in its gilded chest.
This treasure that we carry, that allows us to connect with others
Which in turn transports us.
Like nature, it fascinated me with its abundant, generous and sacred mystery;
Then by its lightning storms, with the power to suddenly disconnect us from earthly life.
From trajectory to trajectory, from conversation to conversation, I tried to understand the cardiovascular system and its power of interconnection.

What I’ve learned has nurtured in me the young girl in search of answers.
I’m still searching
From emotions of love to life’s trials.

In this ritual, and while the world is collapsing, let us embrace this moment for which we are so fortunate.
I took an interest in this abundant cluster of hearts, without knowing what it would transform in me in return.

From fragility to strength: I hope our hearts will unite around a big heart drum.
For the healing of our societies
For the celebration of life.
Love


Rhodnie Désir — Creative Chief

CREATIVE TEAM

Creative Director (choreographer, documentalist, artistic director, vocal composer) Rhodnie Désir.
Conductor Naomi Woo.
Musical and vocal composer Jorane.
Beatmaker and Sound Designer Engone Endong.
Costume Designer Mélanie Ferrero.
Scenographer Olivier Landreville.
Lighting designer Chantal Labonté.
Video and digital designer Chélanie Beaudin-Quintin.
Creative support Isabelle Poirier.
Dancers Marilyne Cyr, Mara Dupas, Camille Gendron, Aly Keita, Luce Lainé, Emmanuelle Martin, Mya Metellus, Carlos-Alexis Mendoza-Bustinza, Ernesto Queseda Perez, Greg «Krypto» Selinger, Abe Simon Mijnheer.
Musicians Orchestre Métropolitain.
Orchestrator François Vallières.
Percussion arrangements Rhodnie Désir and Jahsun.
Artistic consultant Philip Szporer.
Researcher Pascale Bilodeau (NFB).

PRODUCTION TEAM

Main producer RD Créations.
Associate producer Frédérick Lalonde - JKFL Production.
Production director Cécile Doo-Kingué - RD Créations.
Technical director Bruno Lauzon.
Stage manager Julie Abran.
Communications officer Caroline Rousseau - RD Créations.
Consultant Production and Touring Corinne Jozsef.
Representation agency Avec Sheila (Sheila Skaiem).

PARTNERS

Principal producer RD Créations.
Co-producers and presenters Danse Danse, National Arts Centre, LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura.
Majors partners National Arts Centre’s National Creation Fund, Canada Council for the Arts.
Main partner Fonds de Recherche du Québec.
Creative partners Montreal Heart Institute (MHI), Istituto Cardiocentro Ticino, National Film Board (NFB), Place des arts, Conseil des Arts et des Lettres du Québec, Conseil des Arts de Montréal.
Artistic associate Orchestre Métropolitain.

SONGS

1. Neïa’yanga / Vocal composition: R.Désir, Interpretation: R.Désir, A.Keita / 2023.
2· Fwô / Vocal composition: R.Désir, Interpretation: R.Désir, A.Keita, Arrangements: Engone Endong / 2023.
3. Bognè / Vocal composition: A.Keita, Interpretation: A.Keita, R.Désir, Arrangements: Engone Endong / 2023.
4. Nanayeom / Vocal composition: R.Desir, Interpretation: R.Désir / 2024.

MUSICAL SCORE

Symphony of Hearts
Work composed for the choreographic production Symphony of hearts by Rhodnie Désir.

Composition Jorane, Engone Endong, R.Désir, A.Keita.
Percussion arr. R.Désir, Jahsun.
Orchestration F.Vallières.
©2024 All rights reserved.

THANK YOU

RD Créations would like to thank all the heart health specialists, patient-partners at the Montreal Heart Institute and the Istituto Cardiocentro Ticino in Lugano, the young people at Collège Jean-Eudes, and all the people who agreed to testify during the Symphony of Hearts documentary research begun in 2022. Your powerful testimonials on the heart and cardiovascular system brought the work to life.

Developed with the support of the National Creation Fund of the National Arts Centre.