Tanz Heilbronn! | TEMPO von Nio, Melo & Salmenniemi (FI) | Deutschlandpremiere

In the organizer's words:

"Tempo" is a captivating exploration of time. Of the sense of time, of acceleration, deceleration and standstill. At the center of the performance is a seemingly insignificant event that takes on enormous dimensions and reveals the fragility of life. Defying gravity and time, three outstanding dancers move in a mixture of dance, theater and acrobatics. Again and again, they and their stage set approach the limits of what is possible - and transcend them. Here, time slows down, reverses itself, stands still. By mixing magic and movement, the piece invites you to pause for a moment and experience only the here and now.

"Tempo" is the first collaboration between magician and visual artist Kalle Nio and choreographer Fernando Melo, and the second between Kalle Nio, author Harry Salmenniemi and composer Samuli Kosminen. It combines Salmenniemi's poignant text about the strange nature of time with dreamy, wordless scenes, hypnotic stage illusions, rhythmically stirring compositions and sensual, contemporary dance to create a crescendo in which the laws of nature themselves seem to dissolve.

Kalle Nio (*1982) is a Finnish theater director, visual artist and magician known for his combination of visual theater, experimental film, contemporary circus and new magic. His group WHS has performed in over 200 theaters in more than 40 countries and has gained international recognition. Nio holds a Master of Fine Arts from the University of the Arts Helsinki and has worked with renowned institutions such as the Fondation d'entreprise Hermès, the Helsinki Festival and the Théâtre de la Cité internationale Paris.

Fernando Melo, born in Brazil, has built a remarkable career in Europe, creating choreographies for leading dance companies such as GöteborgsOperans Danskompani, Skånes Dansteater and Ballet Hispanico New York. His works often incorporate magic and stage illusions to enhance both dance and opera productions, including collaborations with La Monnaie in Brussels and the Royal Danish Opera in Copenhagen. Melo is known for his innovative and interdisciplinary approach and widely influences the global dance and opera scene.

Harry Salmenniemi (*1983) is a Finnish writer known for his poetry, short stories, novels and interdisciplinary collaborations. He has received numerous awards, including the Kalevi Jäntti Prize and the Teosto Prize, for works such as "Texas, sakset" and the opera libretto "Bliss". With texts that have been translated into several languages,
Salmenniemi uses his unmistakable voice to explore themes such as time and emotions in literature and performance.

Samuli Kosminen (*1974) is one of Finland's leading percussionists and composers, known for his innovative use of sampling and sound. He has collaborated with prominent artists such as Björk, the Kronos Quartet and Jóhann Jóhannsson and has created music for films, television and stage productions. Kosminen's versatile compositions, which combine different genres, have earned him awards such as the Jussi Award and cemented his place in contemporary music.