The premiere of the ballet 'Raymonda' at the Latvian National Opera on March 27, 2015. Music by Lidiya Pashkova and Marius Petipa, adapted by Aivars Leimanis. Choreography by Marius Petipa and Aivars Leimanis. Music Director and Conductor - Jānis Liepiņš, Conductor - Farhads Stade, Set and Costume Designer - Ināra Gauja. 

Chorographer Aivars Leimanis: 'This new production of Raymonda lets us fulfil a long-time dream: our repertoire finally includes all of today’s greatest, most popular and most regularly performedclassic ballets. What’s more – the visual and technical quality of our performers, costumes and set designs in our productions is such that we can confidently take to the world’s most prestigious stages.

The creations of Marius Petipa form the foundation of classical ballet. Of course, they’ve experienced some changes over time, which in turn inspired us to find our own path within his work. For example, Act I of LNO’s Raymonda is, essentially, an entirely new production. It’s become more engaging and exciting, has more dances. However, we still respect the plot developments that remain from the days of the classic masters, polishing them like a precious diamond.'

Choreographer Marius Petipa (1818-1910) choreographed Raymonda when he was 80 years old. And it was not his last work – Petipa choreographed many more pieces toward the end of his life. But his work on the medieval legend of the noble knight and his faithful bride is considered undeniable proof of Petipa’s rich background and mastery. Raymonda is a wonderful, refined hymn for a woman’s beauty and, simultaneously, a true test of the talents and technical preparation of the dancers.

The debut of Raymonda, conducted by Riccardo Drigo, took place at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg on 7 January 1898. The role of Raymonda was played by the virtuoso and very musical Italian prima Pierina Legnani, whose technique in the debut was later described as grandiose and graceful.The heroic Jean de Brienne was played by Sergey Legat, and the Saracen knight Abderakhman by Pavel Gerdt. The public received the new ballet enthusiastically – although it was admitted that the storyline was a little disorganized, the choreography and music were widely praised. One group from the audience even presented Glazunov with a laurel crown.

Rigawas introduced to Raymonda for the first time only a few years after the local ballet troupe was founded. The composer himself took the conductor’s podium on 30 November, 1926 for the Latvian debut. Raymonda was performed two more times in Riga over the course of the twentieth century (debuts in 1954 and 1993). The 2015 performance at the Latvian National Opera and Ballet will be the first of the twenty-first century, but certainly won’t be the last . . . 

Further performances in Latvian National Opera on March 28, April 10, 26, and May 17.