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- Joby Talbot
Like Water for Chocolate (2021)
- Chester Music Ltd (World)
A co-production between The Royal Ballet and American Ballet Theatre. First performed on 2 June 2022 at the Royal Opera House, UK, choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon.
Like Water for Chocolate was originally commissioned as a co-production between The Royal Ballet and American Ballet Theatre, first performed on 2 June 2022 at the Royal Opera House, UK, choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon. Original work based on the novel ‘Como agua para chocolate: novela de entregas mensuales con recetas, amores, y remedios caseros’ (1989), by Laura Esquivel.
Unavailable for performance.
- 3(II:pic,cedarfl,ocarina,pic.ocarina.III:pic,afl).2(II:ca).2(II:bcl).2(II:cbn)/3.3.3.1/timp(perc).6perc/2hp.pf/gtr/str
- 1 hr 20 min
- Based on the book of the same name by Laura Esquivel
- Spanish
Programme Note
A modern Mexican classic of magic realism provides the basis for The Royal Ballet’s new full-length work, reuniting Artistic Associate Christopher Wheeldon with the creative team who transformed Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and The Winter’s Tale into dance, composer Joby Talbot and designer Bob Crowley.
Features
- The Ballet Music of Joby Talbot
- Joby Talbot is the only living composer to have written the music for three full-length ballets for The Royal Ballet in London. Explore his third full length narrative ballet Like Water for Chocolate, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, The Winter's Tale and his other dance works.
Reviews
There have been a slew of excellent new ballet scores recently and Joby Talbot’s melodious composition easily fits into that top drawer. It is unmistakably accented with Mexican flavours, especially in the fiesta scenes marking Rosaura’s wedding and Gertrudis’ return, both of which successfully bring Broadway to ballet. The authenticity of integral Mexican musical genres, including the solo guitar playing of Tomás Barreiro, was helped by conductor Alondra de la Parra acting as Talbot’s musical consultant.
Not all choreographers are good directors, but Christopher Wheeldon is. Even when dealing with a tricky text such as Laura Esquivel’s magical realist novel Like Water for Chocolate, his is a steady hand. His choreography seems in a telepathic relationship with the melody and mystery of Joby Talbot’s score, while Bob Crowley’s designs, inspired by Mexican architect Luis Barragán, give a sense of heat and isolation, and some visually arresting coups de theatre.
the solidity of the production and the imagination of Esquivel’s world keep this ballet an engrossing, propulsive, fulfilling watch
Highest praise, too, for Joby Talbot’s swaggering, percussive, atmospheric score. Created with counsel from the young Mexican conductor Alondra de la Parra (who led the zingy house orchestra on opening night), it’s Mexican-flavoured thanks to the orchestration, but respectfully so, without a hint of a comedy sombrero about it.
Composer Joby Talbot, who, advised by the conductor Alondra de la Parra, created a lush cinematic score infused with melodies from early Mexican music.
More Info
- A perfect match - Talbot and Wheeldon
- 15th February 2024
- The celebrated partnership between Joby Talbot and choreographer Christopher Wheeldon has resulted in 5 contrasting and individual works for the stage.