The world famous dancer Tamara Rojo, former artistic director of the English National Ballet, has created a new version of the iconic ballet, Raymonda. Set in the midst of the Crimean War, the production has been inspired by the story of the pioneer of nursing, Florence Nightingale, as well as other women who supported the war effort.
Suggested age guidance 7+.
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Britain is involved in the Crimean War. At home, Raymonda is reading news from the war and would like to participate in the effort. The son of family friends, John de Bryan, is saying his goodbyes before leaving for the front. Raymonda, too, decides to travel to the Crimean peninsula.
The soldiers wake up and head out of their camp towards the battle in Sevastopol. John and his friends are enthusiastic about finally joining in the action. Raymonda and the other nurses are treating the wounded at the camp. John wants to marry Raymonda before the battle and she accepts his proposal for the sake of compassion.
Suddenly officers of Britain’s allied armies arrive, including John’s friend, prince Abdur Rahman, an agha of the Ottoman Empire. John introduces Raymonda to Abdur and asks him to look after her while he is away.
Raymonda goes to bed and dreams of nurses dancing with dead soldiers. She dances with both John and Abdur. She is woken up, because Abdur is throwing a party to keep the soldiers’ morale, and the nurses are invited, too. Raymonda gets excited, but John’s scarf reminds her of their engagement.
At the party, the Ottoman peoples perform their traditional dances. Raymonda’s colleague, sister Clemence, notices the attraction between Raymonda and Abdur. She tries to stop them from getting more intimate but eventually leaves as she realises her efforts are futile. Suddenly the party is interrupted by soldiers returning from the front, including John.
Raymonda and John are about to get married. One of the guests is Abdur, which makes Raymonda melancholic. At the wedding, Raymonda finally understands her destiny and makes a decision that will define her entire future.
The full synopsis can be found in the programme leaflet.
Raymonda, which had its world premiere at the Russian Imperial Ballet in 1898, is set to Aleksander Glazunov’s glorious music. Choreographer Marius Petipa originally placed the story in the era of the crusades. The central character was a lady of nobility who had to choose between two suitors: a dependable and familiar knight and a fascinating stranger from afar.
Rojo has moved the events to the Crimean War years, enabling her to bring in more dramatic twists. Her updated choreography is based on Petipa’s original version, with dances added from 100-year-old dance notation and new elements that give credit to today’s dancers’ technical virtuosity. Rojo’s version premiered at the English National Ballet in London in January 2022.
Raymonda is a co-production of the English National Ballet and the Finnish National Ballet.
A season ticket is for true opera and ballet fans. The season ticket guarantees you a seat for all our premieres, which amount to 7 in the 2022–23 season. You will also enjoy a dedicated seat in the auditorium and eleven more substantial benefits.
Season tickets for 2022–2023 season are sold out.
The services of the Opera Restaurant are available before performances and during the interval. Choose your favourite refreshments from this season’s tasty menu.
Before this performance, you can also enjoy a delicious Art&Dinner menu which has been inspired by the work being performed. Art&Dinner menus are served at Lounge Parvi on Fridays and Saturdays at 5 p.m. Read more about Art&Dinner menus.
Refreshments are recommended to be ordered in advance. Online sales are available until 24 hours before the performance. Art&Dinner menus must be ordered no later than 96 hours before the performance.
Our restaurant service is provided by Food&Events Tapahtumaravintolat.
