Ballet: Kallirhoe - Premiere - Schedule, Program & Tickets
Ballet: Kallirhoe - Premiere
"Her beauty was not earthly, but divine, yet not merely like that of a Nereid or mountain nymph, but like that of Aphrodite herself. News of her stunning appearance spread everywhere, and suitors flocked to Syracuse (...)."
With these words about his title character, Callirhoea, the author Chariton of Aphrodisias, who calls himself "secretary to the lawyer Athenagoras," begins the prose narrative about the lovers Callirhoea and Chaereas, whose happy marriage is followed by all sorts of conflicts, catastrophes, involuntary journeys, and dangers before they are finally reunited.
The earliest completely preserved ancient romance novel, Callirhoea, probably written in the 1st century AD, is about the "jealousy of men and the caprices of the gods" and describes great emotions such as love, envy, loss, and forgiveness. Star choreographer Alexei Ratmansky, always fascinated by ancient art and culture, premiered this narrative ballet with the American Ballet Theatre in 2020, creating a work that presents a choreographic, contemporary portrait of an ancient world. The European premiere of Callirhoe with the Vienna State Ballet promises epic drama and magnificent dancing—to the magnificent and poetic music of Aram Khachaturian.
"It's about a great love—and about adventure." First love, which then returns as a mature emotion, strengthened by the experience of terrible misfortunes."
Alexei Ratmansky
Musical Direction
Paul Connelly
Choreography
Alexei Ratmansky
Dramaturgy & Libretto
Guillaume Gallienne based on the novel "Callirhoe" by Chariton of Aphrodisias
Music
Aram Chatschaturjan
Arranged by
Philip Feeney
Stage & Costume Design
Jean-Marc Puissant
Costume Design
Sukie Kirk
Lighting Design
Duane Schuler
Production Design
Nancy Raffa
Eric Tamm
Subject to change.
With these words about his title character, Callirhoea, the author Chariton of Aphrodisias, who calls himself "secretary to the lawyer Athenagoras," begins the prose narrative about the lovers Callirhoea and Chaereas, whose happy marriage is followed by all sorts of conflicts, catastrophes, involuntary journeys, and dangers before they are finally reunited.
The earliest completely preserved ancient romance novel, Callirhoea, probably written in the 1st century AD, is about the "jealousy of men and the caprices of the gods" and describes great emotions such as love, envy, loss, and forgiveness. Star choreographer Alexei Ratmansky, always fascinated by ancient art and culture, premiered this narrative ballet with the American Ballet Theatre in 2020, creating a work that presents a choreographic, contemporary portrait of an ancient world. The European premiere of Callirhoe with the Vienna State Ballet promises epic drama and magnificent dancing—to the magnificent and poetic music of Aram Khachaturian.
"It's about a great love—and about adventure." First love, which then returns as a mature emotion, strengthened by the experience of terrible misfortunes."
Alexei Ratmansky
Musical Direction
Paul Connelly
Choreography
Alexei Ratmansky
Dramaturgy & Libretto
Guillaume Gallienne based on the novel "Callirhoe" by Chariton of Aphrodisias
Music
Aram Chatschaturjan
Arranged by
Philip Feeney
Stage & Costume Design
Jean-Marc Puissant
Costume Design
Sukie Kirk
Lighting Design
Duane Schuler
Production Design
Nancy Raffa
Eric Tamm
Subject to change.