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Sadler’s Wells Digital Stage presents Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Curated by Carlos

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Carlos Acosta and Alessandra Ferri
Enjoy a triple bill of new work from one of the UK’s leading ballet companies, including the world premiere of a new duet performed by Carlos Acosta and Alessandra Ferri.
A group of ballerinas all hunched over facing the floor. One solo female dancer stands and looks into the audience
Artists of Birmingham Royal Ballet in Daniela Cardim’s Imminent © Johan Persson. Image description: A group of ballet dancers wearing cream coloured outfits, all hunch over facing the floor. One solo female dancer stands amongst the group and looks into the audience.

Sadler’s Wells Digital Stage presents Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Curated by Carlos – a thrilling triple bill featuring a new duet created especially for Carlos Acosta and Alessandra Ferri. The programme includes Daniela Cardim’s abstract ballet Imminent; a love letter to the city of Birmingham, City of a Thousand Trades; and Goyo Montero’s powerful ensemble piece Chacona.

In a world exclusive filmed at Sadler’s Wells, Carlos Acosta and guest artist Alessandra Ferri perform a new pas de deux as part of Chacona. This powerful ensemble piece for 16 dancers was created by Spanish choreographer Goyo Montero (Nuremberg Ballet / Acosta Danza) and is set to music by J.S. Bach, played on stage by violin, guitar and piano.

Brazilian/British choreographer Daniela Cardim’s Imminent has been created with a team of international talent, including renowned composer Paul Englishby. Imminent explores the sensation of knowing that something isn’t right, that something inside is pulling at us, and it’s telling us we need to make change. Though the world around us seems to be flowing harmoniously, sometimes we need to listen to our instincts, resist the status quo and find the strength to see opportunities in paths unknown, embracing both the fear and the hope as we do so.

City of a Thousand Trades is a love letter to Birmingham, commissioned by Carlos Acosta to celebrate the city’s richly diverse heritage and melting pot of cultures. The ballet is brought to stage by Havana-born choreographer Miguel Altunaga, and dramaturg and co-Director Madeleine Kludje from Birmingham Repertory Theatre, with music by Mathias Coppens, inspired by the city’s soundscape.

Live music performed by Birmingham Royal Ballet’s acclaimed orchestra, the Royal Ballet Sinfonia.

Image description: Two dancers stand balanced in a moment of intimacy. Alessandra Ferri balances on point, her other leg folded up towards her chest, toe pointed inwards. She cradles the head of Carlos Acosta with one hand, the other wrapped around his shoulder. He stands with feet wide, supporting Ferri at her waist and around her lifted knee. Both wear black unitards and the background is a mottled red.

City of a Thousand Trades and Imminent are Ballet Now commissions, Birmingham Royal Ballet’s programme which seeks to find exciting, diverse, international creative talent.

A man on stage holds a big metal pole
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A female dancer balancing on one leg, leaning back and arms open
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Carlos Acosta introduces the programme

Cuban ballet dancer Carlos Acosta smiling while being interviewed in a dressing room
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Acosta promised to stretch his performers and bring new names and ideas to the ballet stage, and he’s been true to his word. It’s a great start to his Birmingham journey.

THE GUARDIAN

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Behind the scenes

Birmingham to the World: the making of City of a Thousand Trades

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