Dance
The Legend of Apsara Mera
BAM and Season of Cambodia* present
The Legend of Apsara Mera
The Royal Ballet of Cambodia
Choreographed by HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS NORODOM BUPPHA
DEVI
*Season of Cambodia is an initiative of Cambodian Living
Arts
For a thousand years, the Royal Ballet of Cambodia danced only
for the gods. Resurrected spectacularly in the wake of the Khmer
Rouge into a closely guarded yet flourishing modern form, the Royal
Ballet comes to BAM with the breathtaking Legend of Apsara
Mera, featured as a centerpiece of the citywide Season of
Cambodia festival.
With movement constructed by Her Royal Highness Princess Norodom
Buppha Devi, a former prima ballerina in the Khmer tradition,
Apsara Mera conjures the sanctified realm of two origin
stories integral to Khmer culture: “Churning of the Sea of Milk”
and “The Legend of Kambu and Mera.” Sumptuous movement, finely
wrought costumes, and chanting evoke the comings and goings of
celestial serpents and nymphs in this powerful offering from
Southeast Asia, infused with divine ambrosia and modern expression
alike.
Leadership support
provided by
The Jerome Robbins Foundation, Inc.
Additional support provided by
Anne H. Bass
with The Royal Ballet of Cambodia, moderated by Marina Harss
Fri, May 3
This artist talk takes place in the performance venue and is free for same-day ticket holders.
Cambodia’s esteemed prima ballerina talks candidly about the revival and preservation of Cambodian classical court dance, its mercilessly demanding training, and its war-torn history, with director Peter Sellars.
The Royal Ballet of Cambodia preserves Cambodia’s artistic tradition.
Participants discover the Cambodian classical court dance known as robam boran.
