ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Angelin Preljocaj's 'Un trait d'union' and 'Still life' in Ferrara

other · 2026-05-05

The Ballet Preljocaj performed two works by Angelin Preljocaj at the Teatro Comunale di Ferrara: 'Un trait d'union' (1998) and the new creation 'Still life'. 'Un trait d'union' is a male duet exploring love, friendship, and solitude, set mostly without music except for Bach's Piano Concerto No. 5 and contemporary sounds. The piece has entered the repertoire of the Ballet de l'Opéra de Paris. 'Still life' reflects on vanitas, fragility, time, war, and death, using objects like a skull, owl, hourglass, globe, and crown. Dancers move to a ticking metronome, techno music, and sounds by Alva Noto and Ryuichi Sakamoto. The final sequence depicts a battlefield. The review notes 'Still life' lacks the emotional impact of Preljocaj's earlier 'Empty Moves'.

Key facts

  • Angelin Preljocaj's 'Un trait d'union' was created in 1998.
  • 'Un trait d'union' is a male duet performed by Battista Coissieu and Redi Shtylla.
  • The piece is mostly performed without music, except for Bach's Piano Concerto No. 5.
  • 'Un trait d'union' is in the repertoire of the Ballet de l'Opéra de Paris.
  • 'Still life' is a new creation by Preljocaj, premiered at Teatro Comunale di Ferrara.
  • 'Still life' uses objects such as a skull, owl, hourglass, globe, and crown.
  • The music for 'Still life' includes works by Alva Noto and Ryuichi Sakamoto.
  • The review compares 'Still life' to Jan Fabre's work but finds it less emotionally engaging.

Entities

Artists

  • Angelin Preljocaj
  • Battista Coissieu
  • Redi Shtylla
  • Alva Noto
  • Ryuichi Sakamoto
  • Jan Fabre
  • Dominique Bagouet
  • Merce Cunningham
  • Giuseppe Distefano

Institutions

  • Ballet Preljocaj
  • Ballet de l'Opéra de Paris
  • Teatro Comunale di Ferrara
  • Artribune

Locations

  • Ferrara
  • Italy
  • Sucy-en-Brie
  • France

Sources