From Horace, roman poet that lived in the 1st century B.C., to the present day, Lydia is the name of one of the principal recurring characters in all European poetry. In Portuguese literature, Lídia inspired such poets and writers as Almeida Garret, José Tolentino de Mendonça, Sophia de Mello Breyner, but will be, above all, intimately connected to Ricardo Reis.
From all those Portuguese references, but mainly Fernando Pessoa’s heteronym, and Portuguese modernism, Paulo Ribeiro created, for CNB, a Lídia performed by thirteen female dancers. Calling to mind the paintings of Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso and Almada Negreiros, the choreographer aimed to develop beautiful and sensual movements that fit textures and geometries directly associated with the plasticity of Orpheu magazine. It was then the task of composer Luís Tinoco, and the musicians of Orquestra Metropolitana de Lisboa, to highlight the intensity and the physical and spiritual tensions of the choreography.
Choreography Paulo Ribeiro
Original score Luís Tinoco
Costumes José António Tenente
Lighting design Nuno Meira
Music recorded by Orquestra Metropolitana de Lisboa under the direction of Pedro Neves
© Rodrigo de Sousa
