Choreographer
John Heginbotham

Composer
Gustav Holst

Lighting Design
Nicole Pearce

Costume Design
Maile Okamura

Performers
4 dancers

Run Time
60 minutes

Photos: Sam Zausch, Courtesy La Jolla Music Festival

Commissioned by the Greater Bridgeport Symphony, lead by conductor Eric Jacobsen, The Planets had its world premiere in July 2022 in Bridgeport, CT. In August 2022, DH performed The Planets with The Knights chamber orchestra, lead by Eric Jacobsen, at the acclaimed La Jolla Music Festival in California.

World Premiere: July 09, 2022
Greater Bridgeport Symphony
Eric Jacobsen, Conductor
Bridgeport, CT

“The Planets premiered in 1918 at London's Queen's Hall. The piece was largely inspired by astrological associations with the solar system; each planet portrayed as having its own highly distinct character. DH’s performance of The Planets is a tour through our celestial neighborhood. Earth is not recognized, as its presence in the zodiac is hidden (if not absent). From the perspective of astronomy, this curious idea that our homeworld does not appear in the composition strikes me as generous - like a fashion designer's runway curtain call; she may wear something understated which doesn't draw attention away from the spectacular art on display. The study of astrology and astronomy, the existence of fashion, of program notes, of Holst, of dancing and music. All of these exist because Earth exists.” - John Heginbotham