The Sun King

Elements Contemporary Ballet

with Haymarket Opera Orchestra 

BY JOSEPH CARUANA (2014)

Based on the life of French monarch Louis XIV, The Sun King tells the story of ballet’s dramatic beginnings with lush costumes by HOC costume designer Meriem Bahri, live music, and provocative contemporary choreography.

A CONTEMPORARY TAKE ON A HISTORICAL DRAMA

In 17th century France, no one admired King Louis XIV more than court composer Jean-Baptiste Lully. The Sun King is a foray into Lully’s world, delving deep into his obsession with the dancing king and the immense part their relationship played in the shaping of western music and dance.

The Sun King, A Contemporary Ballet in One Act is based on the life of French monarch Louis XIV and focuses on Louis’s intense relationship with his official court composer, Jean-Baptiste Lully, the founder of French Opera and arguably the most powerful musician in Absolutist France. Conceived by Elements Contemporary Ballet founder and artistic director Mike Gooney and Elements co-founder and resident choreographer Joseph Caruana, the one-hour-long ballet is danced to baroque music, including compositions by Lully.

FEATURING LIVE MUSICIANS FROM HAYMARKET OPERA ORCHESTRA 

November 20, 2016 at The Studebaker Theater