Nico Muhly: Drawn Lines, Sadler's Wells

Sadler’s Wells launched its Composer Series as a challenge to choreographers to respond to the music of living composers. Following two programmes focussed on the work of Mark-Anthony Turnage and Thomas Adès, this year the spotlight falls on Nico Muhly.

A prolific and versatile composer, 38-year-old American Nico Muhly’s music appeals to both classical and pop musicians. The artists he’s collaborated with range from Björk to chamber orchestras on both sides of the Atlantic. In Drawn Lines Muhly himself will conduct the Britten Sinfonia, an orchestra that's familiar with his music, having commissioned work from him before.

Drawn Lines was originally to showcase work from three choreographers: Michael Keegan-Dolan, Julie Cunningham and Justin Peck. However the New York City Ballet, where Peck is resident choreographer, has decided to limit its international travel due to concerns about the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak and will no longer be bringing its contribution, Rotunda, to Sadler’s Wells as part of the programme.

In its place, and alongside the work of Keegan-Dolan and Cunningham, Drawn Lines will feature a revival of Flutter, created on and featuring ballet star Natalia Osipova, choreographed by Iván Pérez. Set to Mothertongue composed by Nico Muhly, Flutter was originally seen as part of Natalia Osipova – Pure Dance at Sadler’s Wells in autumn 2018.

Sadler’s Wells associate artist Michael Keegan-Dolan is a highly individual artist, who draws inspiration from the folk culture of his native Ireland to create powerful pieces of dance theatre. His Swan Lake / Loch na hEala, co-produced by Sadler’s Wells, won the Irish Times Theatre Award in 2017 for Best New Production and the The UK Critics’ Circle National Dance Award for Best Production (2018).

His latest show at Sadler’s Wells, MÁM, also danced by his very own company, Teaċ Daṁsa, is an equally powerful work.

Keegan-Dolan’s contribution to Drawn Lines is set to Nico Muhly’s dark folk-song arrangement, The Only Tune, based on the murder ballad The Two Sisters, sung live by folk artist Sam Amidon.

Sadler’s Wells new wave associate Julie Cunningham explores gender and identity in Drones, a reflection on the subtle and constant noise in most dwelling places.

Post-Show Talk Fri 20 March – free to same-day ticket holders