RODRIGO PAREJO & RIANTO
(SPAIN - INDONESIA)
Contemporary - World - Experimental
🎭 PROGRAM NOTE (ENGLISH)
Title: Echoes of Lengger (2025)
Artists: Rianto (dance) & Rodrigo Parejo (music)
Echoes of Lengger is a poetic, cross-disciplinary performance by dancer Rianto and flutist/composer Rodrigo Parejo, born from their long-term collaboration since 2015. At the heart of the work lies Lengger, a traditional cross-gender dance from Banyumas, Central Java, where Rianto hails from.
Traditionally performed by male dancers embodying feminine energies, Lengger blurs the boundaries of gender and spirituality. In this contemporary re-imagining, the artists bring the ancient into dialogue with the present. Through improvised movement and sound, they explore identity, transformation, and embodied dualities.
Rodrigo's textured sonic world—rooted in jazz, contemporary, and world music—meets Rianto’s refined vocabulary of Javanese classical and folk dance, resulting in a visceral conversation that transcends form.
Echoes of Lengger invites audiences into a liminal space: between tradition and innovation, male and female, body and breath.
Title: Echoes of Lengger (2025)
Artists: Rianto (dance) & Rodrigo Parejo (music)
Echoes of Lengger is a poetic, cross-disciplinary performance by dancer Rianto and flutist/composer Rodrigo Parejo, born from their long-term collaboration since 2015. At the heart of the work lies Lengger, a traditional cross-gender dance from Banyumas, Central Java, where Rianto hails from.
Traditionally performed by male dancers embodying feminine energies, Lengger blurs the boundaries of gender and spirituality. In this contemporary re-imagining, the artists bring the ancient into dialogue with the present. Through improvised movement and sound, they explore identity, transformation, and embodied dualities.
Rodrigo's textured sonic world—rooted in jazz, contemporary, and world music—meets Rianto’s refined vocabulary of Javanese classical and folk dance, resulting in a visceral conversation that transcends form.
Echoes of Lengger invites audiences into a liminal space: between tradition and innovation, male and female, body and breath.
PAST PROJECTS
|
Rodrigo Parejo & Rianto
Live at Lanjung Art Festival (Borneo, Indonesia). 2015 |
Rodrigo Parejo & Rianto (feat.Dwi Wahyuni)
"EYES AND SOUL" (2022) Live at Asia Tri Dance Festival (Yogyakarta, Indonesia). 2022 |
|
RODRIGO PAREJO "THE JAVA SPRING" (feat. Rianto) Kendalisara Arts Festival. Java (Indonesia) - 2023 |
RODRIGO PAREJO "THE JAVA SPRING" (feat. Rianto) Bisik Serayu Festival. Java (Indonesia) - 2024 |
RODRIGO PAREJO "THE JAVA SPRING" (feat. Rianto). Kendalisara Arts Festival. Java (Indonesia) - 2023 |
IMAGES
BIOGRAPHY
RIANTO
Born in 1981 Kaliori village, Banyumas, Rianto trained in classical Javanese dance and Central Javanese folk dance from a young age, specialising in the cross gender form of Lengger. Rianto has been based between Indonesia and Tokyo, Japan since 2003 where he founded the Classical Javanese dance company, Dewandaru Dance Company to introduce Javanese performing arts to Japan. He has worked with a spectrum of international choreographers, performance makers and companies whilst remaining dedicated to his training and own voice for contemporary Javanese performing arts.
At the beginning of 2017 Rianto joined Akram Khan company to take on Akram’s role in the feminist re-working of the Mahabharata Until The Lions, Rianto tours Until The Lions from 2017 onwards. Rianto’s acclaimed solo work SoftMachine: Rianto under the direction of Choy Ka Fai continues to be performed extensively across Europe and the Asia Pacific. Additional projects include co-operations with Korean choreographer Sen Hea Ha, performing in Seoul, Singapore, Belgium, Netherlands and Austria. The Chen Shi Zheng’s Opera at Schubert Theatre, Boston and London Coliseum with the English National Opera. Guest artist for Gulliver & Swift and Garibaba Stange’s World by Japanese dance company Pappa TARAHUMARA. The durational 24 hour dance work at Solo International Dance Day, collaborations with Keiko Nakano on Yumme for Tokyo metropolitan theatre, the Dance Opera Gandari by Tony Prabowo and To Belong choreographed by Akiko Kitamura. Artist residencies include Nottle Theatre Company, Korea, Attakkalari Biennial, India, Nanyang Academy Fine Arts, Singapore and most recently Staadstheater Darmstadt, Germany, Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Arts, Honolulu, deSingel, Antwerp and Weiwuying Kaohsiung. In 2007, Rianto received an ANA grant to present his own choreographic works in the Asian region.
His first full length Solo work under his own direction, Medium premiered in 2016 and following further development in 2018 tours through Europe, North America and the Asia Pacific.
Rianto is dedicated to supporting the from of Lengger and greater artistic communities of Banyumas, he has established an annual village festival with the regional government to support the community and next generation. Currently, Rianto embarks on a new research phase into the cross gender traditions and transgender performance across the Indonesian archipelago. This research will develop into an exhibition, publication and new stage work.
SELECTED WORKS
Until The Lions, Akram Khan Company: Watch
SoftMachine (Rianto): Watch
Medium (phase 1 performances) Read
At the beginning of 2017 Rianto joined Akram Khan company to take on Akram’s role in the feminist re-working of the Mahabharata Until The Lions, Rianto tours Until The Lions from 2017 onwards. Rianto’s acclaimed solo work SoftMachine: Rianto under the direction of Choy Ka Fai continues to be performed extensively across Europe and the Asia Pacific. Additional projects include co-operations with Korean choreographer Sen Hea Ha, performing in Seoul, Singapore, Belgium, Netherlands and Austria. The Chen Shi Zheng’s Opera at Schubert Theatre, Boston and London Coliseum with the English National Opera. Guest artist for Gulliver & Swift and Garibaba Stange’s World by Japanese dance company Pappa TARAHUMARA. The durational 24 hour dance work at Solo International Dance Day, collaborations with Keiko Nakano on Yumme for Tokyo metropolitan theatre, the Dance Opera Gandari by Tony Prabowo and To Belong choreographed by Akiko Kitamura. Artist residencies include Nottle Theatre Company, Korea, Attakkalari Biennial, India, Nanyang Academy Fine Arts, Singapore and most recently Staadstheater Darmstadt, Germany, Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Arts, Honolulu, deSingel, Antwerp and Weiwuying Kaohsiung. In 2007, Rianto received an ANA grant to present his own choreographic works in the Asian region.
His first full length Solo work under his own direction, Medium premiered in 2016 and following further development in 2018 tours through Europe, North America and the Asia Pacific.
Rianto is dedicated to supporting the from of Lengger and greater artistic communities of Banyumas, he has established an annual village festival with the regional government to support the community and next generation. Currently, Rianto embarks on a new research phase into the cross gender traditions and transgender performance across the Indonesian archipelago. This research will develop into an exhibition, publication and new stage work.
SELECTED WORKS
Until The Lions, Akram Khan Company: Watch
SoftMachine (Rianto): Watch
Medium (phase 1 performances) Read
RODRIGO PAREJO
Rodrigo Parejo: A Bridge Between Cultures Through Music
Rodrigo Parejo (Spain, 1981) is a multifaceted flutist, improviser, composer, educator, and researcher with over 30 years of experience. His international career spans more than 20 countries, engaging with diverse cultures—from Borneo, Africa, Latin America, and India— and genres, including flamenco, jazz, classical, electronic music, and contemporary dance. He has performed at prestigious festivals such as the North Sea Jazz Festival (Netherlands), Rainforest World Music Festival (Malaysia), and Ubud Village Jazz Festival (Indonesia), collaborating with renowned artists like Phil Woods and Steve Thornton. Rodrigo holds a Master’s Degree in Performance from the Royal Conservatory of The Hague (Netherlands), a Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Performance (with distinction and honors), a Master’s in Flamenco Research from the University of Cádiz, and a Master’s in Education from the University of Extremadura (Spain). He has further training at institutions like the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity (Canada) and the School for Improvisational Music (New York/Oslo). As an educator, he has taught at Lasalle College of the Arts (Singapore), Institute of Arts Yogyakarta, and Universitas Pelita Harapan (Indonesia), among others.
Rodrigo Parejo (1981), is a multifaceted Spanish jazz musician, improviser, composer and educator. He is based between The Netherlands and South-East Asia. He has been regularly active in different music scenes of Jazz, World, Contemporary Dance and Experimental Improvised Music between Europe, Asia and US, performing a broad range of styles: from minimalistic meditative solo performances to explosive free-jazz orchestras, contemporary ensembles, ethnic music folk groups, flamenco dance companies, contemporary dance performances, classical, rock, latin, meditation music.
As a freelance musician, he has worked and collaborated with a diverse number of projects and renowned international artists as: Phil Woods, Norma Winstone, London Improvisers Orchestra, Royal Improvisers Orchestra, The Hague Ethospheric Orchestra, Hank Bennink, Michael Moore, Lazara López Cachao, Asguest Quintet, Rianto, Peni Candrarini, Modelo 62, John Thomas, Sri Hanuraga,... appearing in major festivals and venues as: North Sea Jazz Festival (The Netherlands) Steve Reich Festival (Amsterdam), Bratislava Jazz Day (Slovakia), Flamenco Festival Vienna (Austria), Bimhuis (Amsterdam), Esplanade Theatre Singapore, Rainforest World-Music Festival (Malaysia), KLPAC, Viktoria Jazzscene (Oslo).
Graduated with Distinction (Bachelor of Arts) and successfully completed a Masters Degree Program in Jazz Performance at the Royal Royal Conservatory in The Hague (The Netherlands), receiving also music artistic education in different places around the world as: Banff Centre of Creative Arts (Canada), School for Improvisational Music (New York), Norwegian Music Academy (Oslo), Institute Seni Indonesia (Surakarta), Cambodia,... studying with acclaimed international artists as: John Ruocco, Bobby Martínez, Ralph Alessi, Dave Douglas, Tony Malaby, Ben Street, Hein van de Geyn, Don Byron, Joshua Redman.
Besides his performing career activities, he has offered workshops and masterclasses of music Improvisation, Music Meditation, Sound-healing sessions,.... in countries as Singapore, Malaysia, The Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Czech Republic, Cambodia, Indonesia
Rodrigo Parejo (Spain, 1981) is a multifaceted flutist, improviser, composer, educator, and researcher with over 30 years of experience. His international career spans more than 20 countries, engaging with diverse cultures—from Borneo, Africa, Latin America, and India— and genres, including flamenco, jazz, classical, electronic music, and contemporary dance. He has performed at prestigious festivals such as the North Sea Jazz Festival (Netherlands), Rainforest World Music Festival (Malaysia), and Ubud Village Jazz Festival (Indonesia), collaborating with renowned artists like Phil Woods and Steve Thornton. Rodrigo holds a Master’s Degree in Performance from the Royal Conservatory of The Hague (Netherlands), a Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Performance (with distinction and honors), a Master’s in Flamenco Research from the University of Cádiz, and a Master’s in Education from the University of Extremadura (Spain). He has further training at institutions like the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity (Canada) and the School for Improvisational Music (New York/Oslo). As an educator, he has taught at Lasalle College of the Arts (Singapore), Institute of Arts Yogyakarta, and Universitas Pelita Harapan (Indonesia), among others.
Rodrigo Parejo (1981), is a multifaceted Spanish jazz musician, improviser, composer and educator. He is based between The Netherlands and South-East Asia. He has been regularly active in different music scenes of Jazz, World, Contemporary Dance and Experimental Improvised Music between Europe, Asia and US, performing a broad range of styles: from minimalistic meditative solo performances to explosive free-jazz orchestras, contemporary ensembles, ethnic music folk groups, flamenco dance companies, contemporary dance performances, classical, rock, latin, meditation music.
As a freelance musician, he has worked and collaborated with a diverse number of projects and renowned international artists as: Phil Woods, Norma Winstone, London Improvisers Orchestra, Royal Improvisers Orchestra, The Hague Ethospheric Orchestra, Hank Bennink, Michael Moore, Lazara López Cachao, Asguest Quintet, Rianto, Peni Candrarini, Modelo 62, John Thomas, Sri Hanuraga,... appearing in major festivals and venues as: North Sea Jazz Festival (The Netherlands) Steve Reich Festival (Amsterdam), Bratislava Jazz Day (Slovakia), Flamenco Festival Vienna (Austria), Bimhuis (Amsterdam), Esplanade Theatre Singapore, Rainforest World-Music Festival (Malaysia), KLPAC, Viktoria Jazzscene (Oslo).
Graduated with Distinction (Bachelor of Arts) and successfully completed a Masters Degree Program in Jazz Performance at the Royal Royal Conservatory in The Hague (The Netherlands), receiving also music artistic education in different places around the world as: Banff Centre of Creative Arts (Canada), School for Improvisational Music (New York), Norwegian Music Academy (Oslo), Institute Seni Indonesia (Surakarta), Cambodia,... studying with acclaimed international artists as: John Ruocco, Bobby Martínez, Ralph Alessi, Dave Douglas, Tony Malaby, Ben Street, Hein van de Geyn, Don Byron, Joshua Redman.
Besides his performing career activities, he has offered workshops and masterclasses of music Improvisation, Music Meditation, Sound-healing sessions,.... in countries as Singapore, Malaysia, The Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Czech Republic, Cambodia, Indonesia
|
| ||||
RELATED PROJECTS
|
THE JAVA SPRING (feat. Rianto, Peni Candra Rini & Plenthe)
RODRIGO PAREJO & MAO ARATA "the ghost". Spain 2015
|
THE JAVA SPRING (feat. Bambang Besur)
THE JAVA SPRING (feat. Peni Candrarini). "Improvisations"
|
RIANTO SELECTED WORKS
|
|
|
