The Moor’s Pavane
Choreographer: Jose Limon
Music: Purcell

Though subtitled "Variations on the theme of Othello", this dance is not intended as a choreographic version of Shakespeare's play. In the form of a pavane and other dances of the high Renaissance, the legend is told of the hapless Moor, his wrongfully suspected wife, the Moor's treacherous friend and his wife. The four characters portray the tragedy of Everyman, and the ballet is, therefore, timeless in its implications. This work has been cited
by critics the world over as Jose Limon's "masterpiece."

The music for The Moor’s Pavane was especially arranged for Jose Limon by his music director, Simon Sadoff. The music was derived from two suites by Henry Purcell, "The
Gordian Knot Untied" and "Abdelazer, or The Moor's Revenge".

Courtesy of Limon Institute

Return to Repertory