Dates

9 Dec ’23-1 Jan ’24

Location

Dutch National Opera & Ballet, Main Stage

Running time

2:50, incl. 2 intervals

Tickets

From € 27

raymonda

The ideal new Christmas classic

Dutch National Ballet’s new full-length classic, Raymonda (2022), received four and five-star reviews and several mentions as the ‘best production of the year’ in the international dance press. In her production, associate artistic director Rachel Beaujean gives her own interpretation of the ballet story, which is relevant to the times we live in today. At the same time, she lets the choreographic gems of Marius Petipa’s last great masterpiece sparkle like never before.

Photo: Marta Syrko

The ideal new Christmas classic

For many years, most ballet companies worldwide only ventured to present the third act of the nineteenth-century Raymonda, which revolves around the wedding festivities. The complete production was avoided, due to a rather stigmatising plot. That is a shame, as from a choreographic point of view, Raymonda is probably Petipa’s best work. Beaujean says, “In Raymonda, he was able to incorporate and perfect all the knowledge and experience he’d gained previously in ballets like The Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker and Swan Lake.”

 

Overhauling the libretto

So Beaujean decided to overhaul the libretto and, partly inspired by series like Game of Thrones and Bridgerton, to adapt the storyline so that today’s audiences can relate to it. In her production, therefore, the young Hungarian grand duchess Raymonda does not simply do as she’s told and marry the vain crusader Jean de Brienne. Instead, she is a young, independent woman who, attracted to the mysterious Abd al-Rahman, makes her own decisions on the path of love.

 

Spectacular sample sheet

Choreographically speaking, Raymonda is a spectacular sample sheet of classical ballet technique. Beaujean says, “The many ballerina variations, the dream scene and the Pas d’Action; they’re all incredibly beautiful.” The lively character dances staged by Grigori Tchitcherine, the stylish sets and chic, colourful costumes by the French designer Jérôme Kaplan, and the wonderful music by Alexander Glazunov are also very good reasons not to miss the performances of Raymonda this Christmas!

Credits

Choreography  Marius Petipa 
Production, concept and additional choreography  Rachel Beaujean, in collaboration with Ted Brandsen and Grigori Tchitcherine 
Set and costume design  Jérôme Kaplan
Lighting design  James F. Ingalls
Music  Alexander Glazunov 

Musical accompaniment  Dutch Ballet Orchestra conducted by Vello Pähn

‘My first experience of Raymonda could not have been better’

Maia Makhateli

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Makers
Raymonda (2022)
Raymonda (2022) | Photo: Marc Haegeman
Raymonda (2022)
Raymonda (2022) | Photo: Marc Haegeman
Raymonda (2022)
Raymonda (2022) | Photo: Marc Haegeman
Raymonda (2022)
Raymonda (2022) | Photo: Marc Haegeman
Raymonda (2022)
Raymonda (2022) | Photo: Marc Haegeman
Maya Makatheli
Marc Haegeman

Rachel Beaujean and dancers on Raymonda

rave reviews
of the 2022 production
3 April

Raymonda lives up to all expectations (..) The crowning glory of the work of associate artistic director Rachel Beaujean

12 April

Dutch National Ballet has attained a dazzling pinnacle with Raymonda (..) This version is both up-to-the-minute and timeless

Balletorkest

Dutch Ballet Orchestra

Dutch Ballet Orchestra’s mission is ‘to inspire movement in dance’. Since its inception in 1965, the orchestra has been the proud musical partner of Dutch National Ballet and Nederlands Dans Theater. In every performance, the orchestra searches for inspiring synergy between music and dance, in order to give the audience a magical experience.

Dutch Ballet Orchestra

Led by principal conductor Matthew Rowe, Dutch Ballet Orchestra is the leading orchestra for dance in the Netherlands. The orchestra accompanies performances ranging from traditional ballet to modern dance, alongside its activities in music education and talent development.

Besides performances with Dutch National Ballet and Nederlands Dans Theater, Dutch Ballet Orchestra has a long tradition of innovative – and award-winning – family performances. For instance, Creatures (in collaboration with ISH Dance Collective) received the international Young Audiences Music Award, and the production Hansel and Gretel (in collaboration with Orkater) won various Musical Awards. In these productions, the musicians play from memory, without a conductor and in costumes, so that they form an integral part of the performance.

And finally, Dutch Ballet Orchestra has a long-term partnership with the Dutch National Ballet Academy. They are therefore involved in the music curriculum for pupils and students, facilitate student visits to orchestra rehearsals and provide music for the academy’s end-of-year performance, where possible.

hetballetorkest.nl/en

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