Repertory

Vespers

COMPANIES

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

CHOREOGRAPHER

Ulysses Dove

COMPANY PREMIERE

New York City Center, 1987

WORLD PREMIERE

Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, 1986

RESTAGING

Masazumi Chaya

MUSIC

“Quorum” music by Mikel Rouse

COSTUMES

Ulysses Dove

LIGHTING

William Grant III

RUN TIME

17 Minutes

Ulysses Dove's bold choreographic voice and daring athleticism are embodied by the phenomenal Ailey women in Vespers, a dramatic work full of raw energy and profound grace inspired by Dove’s memories of his grandmother’s place of worship.

Like many of Dove’s works, Vespers has a stark, ferocious quality. Mikel Rouse’s percussive score matches the dancers’ insistent drive as they propel themselves across the stage between rows of straight-back chairs. The Village Voice pronounced it “an exemplary vehicle for six Ailey women, showing off their streamlined power and how coldly they can burn.”

Dove’s choreography has been a fixture in the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater repertory since 1980 and has been kept alive by former Associate Artistic Director Masazumi Chaya, who stages his ballets. “I love to expose new dancers to the genius of Dove’s work,” Chaya said. “I want each new dancer to bring this generation’s perspective to the steps. At the same time, it keeps the ballet from becoming a ‘museum piece.’ There must be life in it.”

Two dancers on stage in black dresses. One is seated, leaning forward with a focused expression and arm extended, while the other is on the floor, gripping her dress and looking down. A wooden chair is in the background.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's Rachael McLaren and Demetia Hopkins-Greene in Ulysses Dove's Vespers Photo by Francette Levieux

Five dancers in black dresses sitting on wooden chairs, leaning back with heads and arms extended, illuminated by a spotlight against a dark background.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Ulysses Dove's Vespers Photo by Pierre Wachholder

A dancer mid-air against a dark background, wearing a black dress, with one knee bent and arms positioned dynamically. Her expression is intense and focused.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's Demetia Hopkins-Greene in Ulysses Dove's Vespers Photo by Francette Levieux

Funders

The creation of this work was made possible, in part, by generous grants from the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund and J.P. Morgan.Vespers was originally created for the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company in 1986 through a grant from the National Choreography Project.

A group of dancers in flesh tone dresses look up and reach their hands to the sky

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