Raymonda: preserving Petipa’s choreography
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.
Tamara 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.
