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© Gran Teatre del Liceu
GöteborgsOperans Danskompani
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 March 2030 | ||||||
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Hammer by Alexander Ekman
GöteborgsOperans Danskompani
Ballet
A two-act work full of energetic and inclusive dance with a distinct contemporary profile.
Hammer is a spectacle created by Alexander Ekman and premiered during the 2022-2023 season by the GöteborgsOperans Danskompani. This production stems from Ekman's desire to create a joyful and entertaining piece full of energy.
In Hammer, a harmonious community shares an altruistic lifestyle inspired by the hippie era. They run, play, sing, and enjoy life together. However, slowly, the community progresses towards the modern era with omnipresent surveillance. The group's behavior becomes increasingly selfish and individualistic.
As we move to the second act, we encounter a different setting. Now, we find a group of self-aware individuals in solitary bubbles. Over time, unable to cope with all the false pretensions, they are forced to abandon their conscious image facades and return to an altruistic existence.
The award-winning choreographer Alexander Ekman is bold, unpredictable, and innovative, much like the GöteborgsOperans Danskompani. His visually powerful work focuses on the self-image of contemporary society, often with a humorous twist. Ekman has created around 50 works, performed by numerous companies worldwide.
Hammer is a two-act work full of energetic and inclusive dance with a distinct contemporary profile. The precision and perfect technique of the company blend with Alexander Ekman's choreography in a strong concept where dancers propel forward in playful communion, like an explosion of colorful everyday creations.
The audience, inspired by this absorbing universe as the dancers take the stage, also receives an invitation that surprisingly turns into a dark mirror of cold distance and self-absorption: a call to reflection.
Program and cast
Approximate Duration: 1h 30min
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR: Katrín Hall
CHOREOGRAPHY, DIRECTION, SET DESIGN, AND LIGHTING: Alexander Ekman
MUSIC: Mikael Karlsson
DRAMATURGY: Carina Nidalen
COSTUME DESIGN: Henrik Vibskov
LIGHTING DESIGN: Joakim Brink
CHOREOGRAPHIC ASSISTANCE: Victor G. Jeffreys II
Gran Teatre del Liceu
Barcelona's opera house, the Gran Teatre del Liceu, was founded on the Rambla in 1847 and has continued over the years to fulfil its role as a culture and arts centre and one of the symbols of the city.
Today it is publicly-owned (by the Government of Catalonia, Barcelona City Council, Barcelona Provincial Council and the Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte) and administered by the Fundació del Gran Teatre del Liceu which, in addition to the aforementioned bodies, incorporates the Patronage Council and the Societat del Gran Teatre del Liceu (the old society of owners).
Origins: From 1837 to 1847
The Liceu evolved out of the Sociedad Dramática de Aficionados (Society of theatre-lovers) set up in 1837 at the instigation of Manuel Gibert in the former convent of Montsió by members of the National Militia, an organization of armed citizens with liberal leanings.
Barcelona's economy and population were growing fast at the time and the city needed a music conservatory. This led to the conversion of the Sociedad Dramática into the Liceo Filármonico Dramático Barcelonés de S.M. la Reina Isabel II (Barcelona Dramatic and Philharmonic Lyceum of HM Queen Isabel II). In addition to its theatrical activities, the new organization cultivated Italian-style singing and music.
The building on the Rambla
The original building was solemnly opened on 4 April 1847. The plans had been drawn up by Miquel Garriga i Roca, subsequently assisted by Josep Oriol Mestres. The project was funded by selling shares, which meant that many of the boxes and seats were to be privately owned. The shareholders formed the Societat del Gran Teatre del Liceu, known as the “Societat de Propietaris” (Society of Owners), which was in sole charge of running the Gran Teatre del Liceu from 1855 onwards, after it was legally separated from the Conservatori del Gran Teatre del Liceu.
The theatre was operated by impresarios who were given a concession to stage a specific number of productions in exchange for the proceeds from the sale of tickets not reserved for the Societat itself. This system was to endure until 1980.
The creation of the Consortium
By the last quarter of the 20th century this management system was no longer viable. In 1980, to avert the danger of the disappearance of an institution of such worldwide cultural renown, the Generalitat Catalonia's first government in modern times – set up a consortium, the Consorci del Gran Teatre del Liceu, which also incorporated Barcelona City Council and the Societat del Gran Teatre del Liceu. Barcelona Provincial Council joined the Consortium in 1985, followed by the Spanish Ministry of Culture in 1986. From then on the Consortium took over operation of the theatre.
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