PROJECT DETAILS
CHOREOGRAPHER: Igor Moiseyev, adapted by Roman Mykyta
COMPOSER: Traditional, arranged by Gerdan–Kaleidoscope of World Music
PREMIERE: November 11, 2012 | The Lyceum, Alexandria, VA | Performed by Дух Танцю – Spirit of the Dance Ukrainian Folk Ballet and Gerdan–Kaleidoscope of World Music
CAST: 1 Woman, 1 Man
RUN TIME: 3 minutes
SYNOPSIS:
Lark (Ciocârlia) is a vibrant staging of Igor Moiseyev’s beloved dance inspired by the Bukovynian region shared by Ukraine, Romania, and Moldova. Set to traditional music arranged by Gerdan–Kaleidoscope of World Music, the work celebrates spring’s arrival through the image of the lark, a symbol of renewal, joy, and awakened life.
Emerging after the restraint of Lent, the male dancer bursts onto the stage with virtuosic energy, imitating the bird’s flight and calling the community into celebration. Joyful and exuberant, the dance becomes both a festive welcome to spring and an allegorical expression of Pascha, renewal, and Resurrection.
BUKOVYNA
Bukovyna is a historic region whose cultural traditions are shared across Ukraine, Romania, and Moldova. Its music and dance reflect a vibrant crossroads of regional identity and folk expression.
BACKGROUND & INSPIRATION
THE LARK
The lark is often associated with spring, awakening, and renewal. In this staging, the dancer’s birdlike movement becomes a joyful summons into celebration.
MOISEYEV’S LEGACY
Igor Moiseyev transformed folk traditions into theatrical concert works for the stage. This adaptation honors the vitality and virtuosity of his choreography through a Ukrainian cultural lens.