Images: Admill Kuyler
A New Ballet by Cathy Marston
Music by Laura Rossi
Performed by Joffrey Ballet & The Lyric Opera Orchestra conducted by Scott Speck
at The Lyric Opera House, Chicago. October 17-27 2024.
Joffrey Ballet perform the American premiere of Cathy Marston’s new ballet Atonement in her re-imagining of Ian McEwan’s 2001 novel-turned Academy Award-winning film with music by Laura Rossi.
Witness the U.S. premiere of renowned choreographer Cathy Marston’s ‘Atonement’ in her re-imagining of Ian McEwan’s 2001 novel-turned Academy Award-winning film.
The poignant story follows Briony Tallis, revealed in the book as its author and now portrayed in the ballet as a celebrated choreographer, as she grapples with the haunting echoes of her past through a breathtaking dance of redemption.
Marston’s adaptation unfolds the tragic love story of Briony’s older sister, Cecilia, against the historical backdrop of 1935 England to explore the intricate layers of societal norms and the enduring impact of a single lie. Enveloped in Rossi’s evocative musical score, with dynamic choreography portraying the complexities of self-deception, the transformation of memory, and the weight of guilt, Atonement shares an emotionally charged experience with a startling twist finale that will linger in the soul.
About the music for Atonement:
Interview with Ian McEwan & Cathy Marston:
Ballett Zürich rehearsing to piano score performed by Luigi Largo
Ballett Zürich Trailer
Ballett Zürich Rehearsals
Joffrey Ballet Trailer
Atonement world premiere was performed by Ballett Zürich and Philharmonia Zurich conducted by Jonathan Lo at Zurich Opera House in April - June 2024. Zurich World Premiere Interviews & Articles
REVIEWS
‘This first act gets under your skin. Not just because of the plot, but also because dance and music are so closely intertwined. It is ballet music, as has been the custom since the late 17th century, written especially for this production. When Briony dances across the stage, completely lost in her fantasies of the future, Laura Rossi's music has a dark, almost threatening undertone. This close connection between music and choreography runs through the whole piece. Wonderful!’ Bernadette Reichlin, SeniorWeb
'It was a fortunate decision by Cathy Marston to hire the English composer Laura Rossi for the ballet music. The musical tapestry for "Atonement" was woven together, so to speak: Marston and Rossi discussed the design of individual scenes in a number of Zooms between Zurich and London. The result is melodious, dynamic and colourful ballet music, molto espressivo, often with a lot of brass, played with verve by the Philharmonia Zurich under Jonathan Lo. Melodic arches swing over the base, with each of the three main characters assigned a single instrument: piano for Briony, violin for Cecilia, cello for Robbie. Leitmotifs can be heard. After the final curtain call, the audience, including author Ian McEwan himself, was enthusiastic, even giving a standing ovation.' Marlies Strech, Tanznetz Dance & Ballet Magazine
‘The music by composer Laura Rossi is also smooth. A catchy soundtrack with rich strings and brilliant brass, freshened up by percussion and piano. Dance rhythms in the spirit of the 1930s drive forward: waltz, tango, bolero. Rossi's music also gains ground in the second part, for example with ghostly, tinny military music.’ Andreas Klaeui, Swiss Radio & Television
‘Laura Rossi’s score is at times late-romantic, dark and brooding, at other times playful and pastoral, martially pounding in drill scenes and in the hail of bombs at Dunkirk, and characterized by chamber music delicacy in the intimate pas de deux and pas de trois and Briony's reflective daydreams. Certain instruments are assigned to Briony, Cecilia and Robbie, and motifs of memory emerge. Overall, Laura Rossi has found a cinematic-musical language for the individual scenes, that is easy to listen to and able to capture the action succinctly. The Philharmonia Zurich under the direction of Jonathan Lo leaves nothing to be desired in terms of sparkling color in the execution of the composition.’ Kaspar Sannemann, Oper Aktuell
'Laura Rossi's music drives the action. It begins sweetly where there is an idyllic atmosphere and strikes where there is war. But whenever one is tempted to accuse it of mere illustration, the music cleverly escapes into other sound worlds and new colours: The violins from the orchestra pit buzz as if all the insects in the world were calling out "wrong, wrong" to the ensemble. At times one gets the impression that the Philharmonia Zurich, under the direction of Jonathan Lo, is playing along to a silent film.' Lilo Weber, Zürich Journal
'Marston’s adaptation unfolds the tragic love story of Briony’s older sister, Cecilia, against the historical backdrop of 1935 England to explore the intricate layers of societal norms and the enduring impact of a single lie. Enveloped in Laura Rossi’s evocative musical score, with dynamic choreography portraying the complexities of self-deception, the transformation of memory, and the weight of guilt, Atonement shares an emotionally charged experience with a startling twist finale that will linger in the soul.' En Face Magazine