MUSIQUE – In the Spirit of Johann Strauss. The Missing Step

In a very personal research project, French choreographer Mathilde Monnier and the Dance On Ensemble, founded in Berlin with exceptional dancers over 40 years of age, dedicate themselves to the era of Johann Strauss. Fascinated by the times of the great Viennese balls, which echoes in us through Johann Strauss’ music, they bring its intensity back to life without any nostalgia. Fragments of well-known melodies, the rustle of elegant gowns and dancing silhouettes create a fleeting, ghostly universe, a shadowy realm of the sensuality and atmosphere of the time. Judit Varga composes music inspired by Johann Strauss’ pieces, their timbres and atmosphere. However, we do not hear the waltzes as they are usually played by a large orchestra. Instead, Strauss’ piano versions of his orchestral works serve as the basis – like images of distant dreams that evoke the composer’s spirit in sound. A Disklavier, a “self-playing piano”, reinforces the impression that not only the sound, but also Strauss’ spirit dwells among the dancing shadows – and is congenially accompanied on a second grand piano on stage by composer Judit Varga herself.

World Premiere

Duration: 60 Min
Price: 10 / 11 / 16 / 24 / 39 / 50 / 62 Euro
Reduced: 7 / 7 / 11 / 16 / 27 / 35 / 43 Euro

Choreography: Mathilde Monnier, Dance On Ensemble
Music: Johann Strauss, Judit Varga
Lighting Design: Eric Wurtz
Artistic Assistance: Stéphane Bouquet
Costume Design: Laurence Alquier
Dance On Ensemble: Javier Arozena, Ty Boomershine, Emma Lewis, Gesine Moog, Jone San Martin, Marco Volta

Company MM is supported by DRAC Occitanie. DANCE ON is an initiative of Bureau Ritter gUG, funded by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media.

A work commissioned by Johann Strauss 2025 Vienna in co-operation with ImPulsTanz.