When you hear Mozart, you might picture classical music and ballet.
Now imagine that same movement paired with metal.
That unlikely combination is the premise behind Raison D’Être Dance Project’slatest production, “Metal and Mozart,” which brings dancers, and a local metal band Galvanist together for a performance designed to challenge expectations.
“Shows like this are out of the box. They are totally different, unique,” said Suzann Kienast-Brown, co-artistic director with Raison D’Être Dance Project.
The production has been more than two years in the making, with hundreds of hours dedicated to developing original music and choreography.
“Over the years our audience has trusted us to take risks and they are along for the ride,” said Erin Levy, choreographer and dancer.
This time, those risks mean putting Mozart and metal side by side.
“Some people might come for the Mozart but they are going to get some metal, other people might come for the metal but they are going to get some Mozart,” said Deann Snyder, a dancer and choreographer.
The performance combines original choreography with reworked Mozart compositions, giving the classical pieces a distinctly different sound.
For Galvanist, that means adapting Mozart through the atmospheric and textural elements of its metal sound.
“Black metal, and I think our music especially, combines a lot of textural and atmospheric thought instead of just thinking about riffage,” said Chris Navarro, the band’s drummer.
The band has spent time dissecting Mozart’s compositions and rearranging them to fit its own sound.
“Dissecting and adapting or arranging Mozart parts, pieces to our style of music,” said Micah Tippit, a member of Galvanist.
While the combination may seem unusual, the artists say that is exactly what makes the production worth experiencing.
“It’s definitely pushing some boundaries and I think everyone should come to experience something new,” Levy said.
For the dancers, the music is more than something to move to. The performers say the emotional experience of the music is reflected through their movement on stage.
“I think when people see this show they are going to feel so many emotions from the dancers, who are actually experiencing those things on stage in the pieces,” said Genevieve Trygstad-Burke, artistic director.
Levy said there is one simple way to describe what audiences can expect. “Nothing you’ve ever seen before,” she said.
Navarro described the performance as an alternative interpretation of atmosphere and melody, expressed through the dancers’ movement.
The audience can also participate in the theme. Attendees are encouraged to dress either for Mozart or metal — or perhaps a little of both.
“We have some people dressing metal and some people dressing Mozart,” Levy said.
And if there is one thing the performers want audiences to remember, it is to come ready for an experience that does not fit neatly into one genre.
“It has a little bit of everything, and bring your ear plugs,” Trygstad-Burke said.
“Metal and Mozart” kicks off this Saturday at The Ellen Theatre in Bozeman. For tickets and event information, visit the Ellen Theatre website.
https://theellen.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket/#/events/a0SVs00000UoFiXMAV
