Dance performance of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons at Grand Valley

The exuberance of Antonio Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons,” as performed by celebrated violin soloist Rachel Barton Pine, will be coupled with the athleticism of modern dance by Thodos Dance Chicago in a unique multi-media interpretation set by Shawn T Bible, Grand Valley faculty artist choreographer.

Grand Valley’s Fall Arts Celebration continues with, The Baroque Splendor of Venice: Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” in Dance, presented for one performance, Monday, October 22, 8 p.m. at the Louis Armstrong Theatre, Performing Arts Center, Allendale Campus. Admission is free. Seats fill quickly; arrive early.

Guest artists from Thodos Dance will highlight the event and open the performance with one of their own works. Founded by Melisa Thodos in 1992, ensemble members are noted for their achievement as performers, educators and choreographers — a rather unique combination in the national dance community. They arrived on campus two weeks prior to the performance to work with students and rehearse.

“We have invited 10 dancers, five women and five men, from Thodos to perform alongside four of our GVSU Dance Company members,” said Bible. “Adding another level to the performance will be specially created animated software projections that will react to the dancers' movements on stage.”

Pine performs on one of the most rare and valuable violins in the world, the ex-Soldat, made in 1742 by Guarneri del Gesu. A review in the Washington Post describes her as “an exciting, boundary-defying performer … in the top echelon.” Vivaldi portrays each season of the year as unique in this iconic work, from his opus eight set of 12 concerti entitled “Il cimento dell armonia e dell invenzione (The Test of Harmony and Invention).”

The performance will be followed by a reception. All Fall Arts Celebration events are free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.gvsu.edu/fallarts, or call (616) 331-2180.