Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre is introducing a very important and unique highlight of the season – the 90th Anniversary of Lithuanian Ballet. On this occasion, on 2-6 December we are organizing a celebratory Ballet Week. It shall include four productions – “Coppelia”, “Bolero+”, “Eglė the Queen of Grass Snakes“ and “The Nutcracker”, as well as a festive Gala concert of Jurgita Dronina and world stars of ballet. Before performances we are also inviting you to attend meetings during which we shall discuss the past and present of Lithuanian ballet. The theatre will also honour best soloists of the season and veterans of ballet.
“We are welcoming the 90th anniversary of Lithuanian ballet with some of our most impressive productions”, - said general manager of the LNOBT Gintautas Kėvišas. He also expressed joy over the fact that lately the ballet company of the LNOBT is working and creating in tune with the dance processes of Western Europe. The company is presenting works that are stylistically, aesthetically and choreographically diverse.
The colourful essence of today’s Lithuanian ballet is reflected in the programme of the ballet week. Its beginning is symbolic: on 2 December we will present Léo Delibes’ “Coppelia” (chor. Kirill Simonov) – it was this particular piece that was shown 90 years ago at the State Theatre in Kaunas as the first Lithuanian ballet production. Cast of “Coppelia” includes Olga Konošenko, Anastasija Čumakova, Voicechas Žuromskas (house-debut as Nathanael), Marius Miliauskas, Voldemaras Chlebinskas, Nailia Adigamova, Tomas Ceizaris, Andrius Žužžalkinas and other soloists. The performance shall be conducted by Robertas Šervenikas. At 5:15 p.m. in the Red Foyer ballet historian Helmutas Šabasevičius will host a conversation “Coppelia: Nuances of the History of Lithuanian Ballet”.
On 3 December we will take a peek into the contemporary tendencies of Lithuanian ballet – they shall be introduced by a triple bill of one-act ballets “Bolero+”. The evening consists of three productions: Itzik Galili’s “Things I Told Nobody”, Martynas Rimeikis’ “Everywhere We Weren’t” and Krzysztof Pastor’s “Bolero”. The entire triple bill will be conducted by Modestas Barkauskas, solo parts in “Bolero” shall be performed by Greta Gylytė and Eligijus Butkus. By the way, M. Rimeikis discovered his abilities to create choreography during the “Creative Impulse” project, which has been an important creative initiative of the LNOBT since 2012. Artistic director of LNOBT’s ballet company K. Pastor will speak about “Creative Impulse” and other activities of the company during a meeting in the Red Foyer at 5:15 p.m.
On 4 December LNOBT shall welcome you at the third premiere of Eduardas Balsys’ masterpiece “Eglė the Queen of Grass Snakes”, the latest production in the repertoire. The production itself is a great example of a unity between classical national flavour and LNOBT company’s striving for neo-classical language of dance. “Eglė the Queen of Grass Snakes” was choreographed by young British choreographer George Williamson and will be performed by Kristina Gudžiūnaitė, ballet soloist of the year Genadijus Žukovskis, Oriana Jimenez, Danielius Dolanas, Voicechas Žuromskas, Inga Cibulskytė, Maja Dolidzė, Urtė Bareišytė, Mantas Daraškevičius. Conductor - David Geringas. And, on 5:15 p.m. we shall welcome you in the Red Foyer in a meeting with choreographer Elegijus Bukaitis.
Gala concert of Jurgita Dronina and world stars of ballet will be performed on 5 December. J. Dronina is currently one of the brightest ballet stars in today’s dance arena, who has deep connections with Lithuania. Her performances are always very much appreciated and awaited in our country. Dancing together with J. Dronina and LNOBT’s soloists will also be guests from New York City Ballet, Royal Ballet Covent Garden, Paris National Opera, Dutch National Ballet, Stuttgart ballet, Moscow’s “Bolshoi” and other famous companies. The Gala will commence with an award ceremony during which prizes shall be given to best opera and ballet soloists of the year 2015.
The last event of the Ballet Week is “The Nutcracker” (chor. K. Pastor), which shall be shown on 6 December. The festive performance will launch the Christmastime period at the LNOBT and hopefully appeal to the hearts of our youngest visitors. “The Nutcracker” will be performed by K. Gudžiūnaitė, G. Žukovskis, M. Rimeikis, G. Gylytė, Aleksandras Molodovas, Ilva Juodpusytė, Valerijus Fadejevas, Jelena Lebedeva, Davidas Santos, Julija Turkina, Olga Lopatčenkova and other dancers. The performance will be conducted by Martynas Staškus.
“I realize that the ballet company of the LNOBT faces many creative challenges and tasks, but my visions of its future are filled with optimism. I hope that LNOBT will continue being the main dance stage in Lithuania, and I shall do my best to ensure that through its interesting and original repertoire the theatre shall keep on providing a great deal of joy and lovely impressions to its audience”, - said artistic director of LNOBT’s ballet company K. Pastor.
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