Relāche is French for "cancellation".
Relāche was the name Erik Satie and his surrealist (former Dada) friends gave to the ultimate ballet production in which Satie was involved as composer.
A one-time flavour of surrealism was invented for the production, which was named "instantanéisme".
The name of the ballet was a kind of practical joke: "Relāche" was the usual word to be found on posters announcing performances, in the case of a last minute cancellation of such performance - which was kind of bizarre for a production that was not cancelled.
See also Entr'acte, for a further description of the music of this ballet.
A 21st century music ensemble also took the name Relāche.
Last updated: 05-23-2005 18:56:37
