Ballet - Raymonda

Founded in 1898 at the Mariinsky Theatre, the last ‘grand ballet of the 19th century, Raymonda is a masterpiece which is symbolic of a key period for classical ballet. Although the collaboration between Marius Petipa and Alexander Glazunov was difficult (Petipa was by then an experienced choreographer whilst Glazunov was a novice at creating music for ballet), Raymonda became an overnight success in Russia. This new choreographic version from Yuri Grigorovich dates back from 2003.

At the castle of Countess Sybil de Daurice, Raymonda is celebrating her birthday. She is also about to bid farewell to her fiancé, knight Jean de Brienne, who is going on a crusade. At night time, on her own, Raymonda falls asleep and dreams that she is taken to a magical garden where she is reunited with her fiancé. Suddenly, Jean de Brienne disappears and an arab sheik takes his place and declares his passion for her. Raymonda is forced to accept. When she wakes, Raymonda discovers with horror that her nightmare has become reality...