The Wind Tree Modern Dance Piece to Premiere at AKM

Co-produced by the Istanbul Theatre Festival and the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet (İDOB) and choreographed by Fernando Melo, the modern dance piece “The Wind Tree” (Leaning Tree) will meet audiences at the Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM) Theatre Stage. Staged within the scope of the festival's 30th edition, the piece can be viewed on October 25 following its premiere on October 24.

Prepared for the Danish Dance Theatre in Denmark in 2023 by Brazil-born choreographer Fernando Melo, the piece is brought to the stage by MDTistanbul, the contemporary dance company within the body of the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet. Inspired by the paintings of Danish painter Vilhelm Hammershøi, the production offers a stage narrative built on the perception of body, time, and space. The movements of the dancers question the perception of reality through slow-motion-resembling rhythms and a changing stage layout.

Signe Lykke composed the music for the piece, while the music recording was performed by Copenhagen Phil. Raphael Frisenvænge Solholm and Fernando Melo undertook the stage and lighting design, Maria Ipsen the costume design, Rafael Cañete Fernández the sound design, and Christian Øland conducts as the orchestra conductor. In the performances where MDTistanbul dancers will take the stage, the cast features Anna Viktoria Zesakes, Berk Can Ceylan, Bianca Cerioni, Chiara Giorda, Demet Aksular, Ekin Ançel, Evrim Akyay, Miray Bacı, Tufan Elitaş, Tuğçe Göncü Ceylan, Müge Bayramoğlu, Kamola Rashidova, Ferhat Güneş, and Mert Aksu in alternating roles.