theblackgloves

The Black Gloves

The premier performance of "The Black Gloves" was Sunday, October 19, 2008. There were two performances 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM. The ballet "The Black Gloves," featured dancers from Blue Heron Dance, choreographed by Christine Juarez. The score and libretto are by David O'Suna.
http://www.vashonalliedarts.org/performances/performances.htm

Promo Pictures Courtesy of Mike Urban

Choreographer Christine Juarez

Christine Juarez

Artistic Director

Ballet, Creative Movement, Modern Dance, Pointe, Director of Blue Heron Dance Company

Christine Juarez has studied dance daily since age 10. She hails from Philadelphia where she studied the Vaganova Method (Russian Ballet) from former dancers of the National Ballet of Cuba. She earned her M.S. in Modern Dance and Physical Education and her B.S. in Ballet and Music from Indiana University, Bloomington Indiana. She has taught for more than 25 years and founded several children's dance programs in St. Louis, Seattle and Philadelphia.

Christine is also a Master Artist-in-Residence for the state of Washington and spends many hours in public schools teaching math, science and language through movement. She currently works on faculty of Seattle's Cornish College of the Arts where she directs summer dance programming. Christine is currently celebrating 12 years as Director of Dance for Vashon Allied Arts.

Check out these selections from the CD "The Black Gloves" by David O'Suna!
© 2000

"The Love Emmisarries"

"Ramon Travels to Spain"

Purchase The 2 CD set of the "Black Gloves" by David O'Suna for $25.00+s/h
Buy it Now

The Libretto

The Black Gloves
by
David O'Suna
The "Black Gloves" is a story of great romance. The gloves are full- length black satin opera gloves. They have no power in themselves but were created as a symbol representing the deep love in this relationship. The basis of the ballet is from a line from the poem I wrote "My arms are long. They have been reaching out to you before there was time."
Compact Disc 1
(I) Creation
The creation of the universe was a very powerful yet peaceful event. It was spent with deep emotion like a gentle caress, soft to the touch, yet powerful in its presence.
Curtain Opens
(II) Manufacture Of The Black Gloves
With great wisdom a symbol of great love and respect is created. The Heavenly Tailors sew together a wonderful symbol of deep intimate romance.
(III) The Dance Of The Lonely Hearts
When the universe was created, every living thing was given a preview of their lives. A time line was set, and each of us was given the free will to choose the life set before us or not. Should we choose the life set before us, then the destiny of greater love and peace will happen sooner on the time line. Should we choose not, then it will be passed on down the time line until fulfilled by someone else. Thus is the "Dance Of The Lonely Hearts." Four women who have previewed their lives are devastated by the path chosen for them. The first woman has a deep but momentary relationship as a young woman and spends the rest of her life trying to relive that moment. The second woman does not allow herself to ever become vulnerable. The third woman is married 40 years. She has lived many years unfulfilled and miserable with deep regrets at the loss of time. So overcome at the seeing her destined life she looks away and does not see the last few years of her life. The fourth woman has poor choice in partners, thus living a life of one bad relationship after another.
(IV) The Hope Of The World
With deep compassion the vision of the Black Gloves is presented to the four "Lonely Hearts" so they may take comfort in knowing a life of such sorrow will not have been lived in vain. They now understand the desperate lives they choose will not happen to others at one point in time. Their lives will be one part in this great love.
(V) Spanish Town
The scene takes place in southern Spain. The time is 1842. It is morning and the town begins to wake. The Vendors are arriving to stock their market stalls. The Matadors and Picadors are headed to arena to practice. The Gypsies are selling their wares on the street. A Shopkeeper arrives with a box under his arm. He places a beautiful pair of satin Black Gloves in his store window. Neff Muerte and his followers scurry through. He is the ruthless deacon of the church who intimidates all he encounters with fear and guilt. The Caretakers of the great rose garden arrive. The grand matron Elvinia is greeted with honor and respect. She is the third Lonely Heart and is married to Neff Muerte. All greet the day.
(VI) Elvinia's Fantasy Dance
Having seen the Black Gloves in the Shopkeepers window Elvinia remembers seeing them before creation and realizes she is not the one to receive them. She remembers what they stand for. She fantasizes that a brave Matador places the Black Gloves upon her hands. As she looks back into the window she realizes she will participate in who will wear the Black Gloves, but is saddened it is not her.
(VII) Ramon Travels to Spain
Having been found at last by his Father Ramon leaves England for Spain in response to a letter with his Best Friend, his Son, and Daughter. In the letter his Father states that he needs Ramon's help. The Father fears that his land will be seized and he will be jailed by the church for witnessing improprieties by Neff Muerte.
(VIII) The Assassin's Dance
Having discovered that Ramon is traveling to aid his father, Neff Muerte and his Assassis plot to kill Ramon. They laugh with delight about the pleasure this will give them and anticipate the land they are about to receive. This is all witnessed by Elvinia and her maid. Elvinia runs quickly away and sends a messenger to her friend the King of Spain informing him of what is transpiring.
(IX) The Assassis Travel
The five Assassis travel to carry out their plot.
(X) The Battle
The Assassins encounter Ramon and try to kill him. Ramon's son and Best Friend are mortally wounded in the attempt. The Assassins escape.
(XI) Dance With Death
His Son and Best Friend dying, Raymon grieves. Death comes to take the two souls away. Death is quirky and Ramon pleads to spare his loved ones, but Death begins to dance away with their souls. Ramon intervenes, fighting for their return. So touched by Ramon's love, Death allows Ramon to choose who shall stay. Some do return, and Death cannot go unpaid. Ramon chooses his Son and Death dances away with the soul of the Best friend. Ramon gathers up his family and resumes his journey to the town.
Compact Disc 2 Second Movement
(I) Rose Garden
Constantina and her two Sons are going to the market and decide to take a short walk through the rose garden. She is troubled by the lack of intimacy in her life. She is dismayed at the fact that she cannot be her true self with her husband. She fears her children will notice her sadness and works to keep this from them. She often wonders for hours at a time what will become of her soul. Upon entering the garden she is greeted by Edmundo, a former great matador, and his Gardeners. The Flowers seem to come alive and she becomes lost in a dream dance with the them. As she leaves the garden she notices Edmundo working his special magic upon the Flowers.
(II) The Spy
Having received the urgent message from Elvinia, the King has sent a Spy to investigate the circumstances. He is secretive and jovial man who thinks of all the good that will come from his work.
(III) Ramon Arrives
Ramon arrives at the main gate of the town. He pounds upon the door. The Gatekeeper opens the door and helps Ramon into the wondrous town. The towns people begin to gather around Ramon, his children and his murdered best friend. A Gypsy Woman inspects them. Elvinia calls out to the Shopkeeper to bring medical supplies for Ramon's injured son. Upon arriving, Ramon tells the Shopkeeper what happened to him on the way to the town. A call goes out to the Stretcher Bearers to remove the dead body and take the Son and Daughter to the Shopkeepers store.
(IV) Ramon Sees Constantina
As Ramon nears the shop he notices the beautiful Constantina gazing at the Black Gloves in the window of the shop. He is immediately impassioned. Constantina's children become absorbed in the commotion and enter the store with Ramon's Daughter. Elvinia and the Spy are in the background watching.
(V) He Flirts
Ramon strolls over to Constantina and begins a flirtatious dance in front of her. Some Towns People are in the background watching.
(VI)She Flirts
She returns with a flirtatious dance .
(VII) The Physical Attraction
It is as if time has become silent for the both of them. The physical attraction between them is overwhelming. Ramon reaches out his hand and they waltz through the town.
(VIII ) The Overbears
You cannot dance with him! A lady confronts them with her righteousness. Other town members join in to admonish Ramon and Constantina for sharing such a dance.
(IX) Neff Muerte's Guilt
Soon Neff Muerte arrives and seethes with fear and guilt. Being a deacon in the church he points out his position and power. He would like to have Raymon imprisoned immediately,
which would clear his claim to Ramon's fatherÕs land.
(X) The Rescue
Observing, Elvinia steps in and with her whiles and distracts Neff Muerte. She truly despises him and will not let him ruin what she knows to be the destiny of the Black Gloves. She is joined by Edmundo and his Gardeners who are bringing their Flowers to the market. The Towns People are distracted by the beauty of the magical Flowers and dance off to market with them. Ramon and Constantina part.
(XI) The Father Imprisoned
RamonÕs Father is imprisoned. He dances to pass the time. He hopes Ramon has received his letter and will arrive to aid in his rescue. The Guards consider him an old fool.
(XII) The Dance of the Love Emissaries
Knowing that they have been forbidden to see each other, Ramon and Constantina send Love Emissaries to be close when they cannot. Notes of love, Flowers, and small intimate Gifts are empowered with the magic of such a love. They are sent as emissaries to caress the heart. The Emissaries come alive and dance. Elvinia convinces Edmundo to jion her cause and act as go-betweens, delivering the gifts.
(XIII) The Dance of the Intellectual
Elvinia and Edmundo can see this is something very special. They bring Ramon and Constantina to the rose garden where the young lovers dance together under the moonlight. They dance the dance of the intellect, which stimulates great thought, laughter, and tremendous peace of mind with the beautiful Flowers while Edmundo and Elvinia sit in the corner and observe.
(XIV) The Tender Moment
Having purchased the Black Gloves from the Shopkeeper, Ramon gives them to Constantina. They dance the dance of romance with the Flowers and kiss tenderly at the end. More of the Towns People begin to come into the garden and watch this great love develop.
(XV) The Spiritual
Arriving at the rose garden escorted by Edmundo, Elvinia, Ramon and Constantina dance with the Flowers the Dance of the Spiritual. The Flowers begin to include the Towns People who have filtered in into the garden. The Towns People begin to realize the great love that Ramon and Constantina have for each other. They are so overwhelmed by the amount of love that whatever moral disapproval they had seems inconsequential. The magic of the Flowers begins to over power them as they witness the event. The Flowers begin to involve several of the lesser of the Towns People into the dance. The Gypsies, the Poor, and Physically disabled Person are included into the dance with Ramon and Constantina.
(XVI) Neff Muerte Makes His Move
Knowing that he must imprison Ramon, Neff Muerte and his five Assassins surround the rose garden and confront Ramon, Constantina, Elvinia, Edmundo, and the Towns People with his official position. Violence is near. Constantina is surprised to see her husband and realizes he was one of the Assassins.
(XVII) The Troops Are Coming
The Spy leads the KingÕs Troops to fight Neff Muerte and his Assassins. A battle ensues in which the King's Troops capture the Assassins.
(XVIII) The King
The King and his entourage enter the rose garden. The Father, having been freed from prison is present. The King hands down his sentences of death for Neff Muerte and his Assassins. The King praises Elvinia for her courage. The Assassins and Neff Muerte are taken away. The King can also see the great love Ramon and Constantina have for each other, and at Elvinia's suggestion he gives his blessing to the young couple. The King leaves.
(XIX) The Dance of Time
A few of the Towns People remain to watch Ramon and Constantina dance the Dance of Time in the rose garden. Elvinia and Edmundo sit and quietly observe. Time and the Flowers dance together with Ramon and Constantina the final dance of love.
(XX) They Rejoice
The Towns People are joyful and full of life. They celebrate the moment with Ramon and Constantina.
(XXI) The Black Gloves
The Rose garden is now empty, save Edmundo and Elvinia. Elvinia is overjoyed at knowing she has played a great part in the destiny of the Black Gloves. Edmundo approaches her and out of his jacket he pulls out a pair of Black Gloves and places them upon Elvinias hands. She begins to weep and cannot believe she has received the Black Gloves. And so it shall continue. She holds the Black Gloves up and the curtain falls.

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