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Alvin Ailey, body and soul. Five years after the hectic event at the Nuits de Fourvière, the most popular and charismatic international company is back. With its unique fusion of classical, modern, ethnic, jazz and even hip hop today, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre also offers the most sparkling contribution of black dancers to modern American dance. Under the direction of the legendary Judith Jamison, the company has maintained its unrivalled level across the years. It has to be said that these players dance on the edge of the abyss, as if their very life depended on it – it is their soul that is on stage. This is demonstrated during the two programmes presented with five original works and the repeat of the signature ballet, the unforgettable Revelations with its very moving gospel songs. The opening is explosive with Love Stories, co-signed by Judith Jamison, the hip hop pioneer Rennie Harris and Robert Battle. A studio without mirrors, a rehearsal where dance, all dance – modern, funk, hip-hop – reigns. This is a fabulous demonstration of the love of movement around the electrifying music of Stevie Wonder. There is also The Golden Section by Twyla Tharp, the sensual, leaping finale of her major work created in 1981 on Broadway, The Catherine Wheel. The first programme is rounded off by Solo, a truly classic Van Manen in form but sublimated by three amazing dancers. The same power and energy appear in the second programme that has never been presented in Lyon, one that recaptures the theme of the very modern Love Stories and twice features Duke Ellington, firstly, in the major Alvin Ayley work The River, a celebration of life combining modern dance, ballet, classical ballet and jazz created by the American Ballet Theatre and the first symphonic work by Ellington written especially for dance. Secondly comes the moving performance of the Road of the Phoebe Snow by the great Talley Beatty, considered a jewel in dance and jazz music. A page in history. Unmissable.