Considered one of the world’s iconic dance companies, the Limón Dance Company makes its Spoleto return in collaboration with the Festival Chorus. The company has been at the vanguard of American modern dance since its inception in 1946 and offers a diverse repertoire from classical masterpieces to cutting-edge contemporary works. This mesmerizing evening of dance and music includes a breathtaking performance of Missa Brevis, a Limón masterpiece. Set to Zoltán Kodály’s rich and resilient choral classic, composed during the darkest days of World War II, this piece stands as a testimony of enduring humanity, pushing the spirit to resurrect and sustain.

Two Ecstatic Themes

Choreography: Doris Humphrey (1931)
Staging: Gail Corbin
Music: Tragoedie Fragment a-moll, Op. 7 No. 2 by Nikolai Karolovich Medtner
Maschere Che Passano for Piano by Gian Francesco Malipiero*
Pianist: Michael Scales
Original Costume Design: Pauline Lawrence
Lighting Design (2024): Liz Schweitzer

The Dance Notation Bureau, a non-profit service organization, has provided a Labanotation score for this staging of Two Ecstatic Themes.
*Presented under license by G. Schirmer, Inc. o/b/o Chester Music Ltd., copyright owners.

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Choreography: Aszure Barton (2025)
Composer: Ambrose Akinmusire
Costume Design: Rémi van Bochove
Lighting Design: Burke Brown

This work was commissioned by The Friends of Perry-Mansfield and The 92nd Street Y, New York as part of their 150th anniversary celebration, in honor and continued support of Jose Limón’s rich 92NY legacy.  It also received support from the National Endowment for the Arts, New Music USA’s Organization Fund in 2023-24, and from The O’Donnell-Green Music and Dance Foundation. Special thanks to Carmen Kovacs for her involvement in the process.

Missa Brevis

Choreography: José Limón (1958)
Music: Zoltán Kodály*, Missa Brevis In Tempore Belli
Remaster (2024): Darron L West
Reconstruction (2024): Kathryn Alter and Kurt Douglas
Reconstruction Assistants: Eric Parra and Lauren Twomley
Original Costume Design: Ming Cho Lee
Costume Design and Construction (2024): Caitlin Taylor
Scenic Design: Ming Cho Lee
Lighting Design: Thomas Skelton, rev. William Brown (2024)

*By arrangement with Boosey & Hawkes, Inc., publisher and copyright owner

Attendance at all events is subject to the Festival security policy.

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Spoleto Festival USA Chorus: The Chorus Concerts, May 29, 30
Music from the Sole: I Didn’t Come to Stay, May 23, 24, 25, 26