Raymonda reimagines ballet from a traditional, romantic perspective to a contemporary feminist interpretation. The 19th-century noblewoman's character has been updated to reflect greater agency, taking inspiration from figures like Florence Nightingale. Rather than a mere love triangle where death plays a role, the focus shifts to personal ambition and career desires. The performance balances themes of love and conflict, showcasing a modern narrative that aligns more with contemporary societal issues, without losing the core ballet structure.
I always thought ballet would be a music box come to life. A dainty princess twirls in a stiff tutu while a prince solemnly assists, and the whole performance would serve up a tax-free inheritance in pointe shoes - polished, rarefied, and untouched by mortal concerns like gravity or sweat.
Structurally speaking, Raymonda hasn't strayed too far in Rojo's recent update, which puts a feminist perspective on choreographer Marius Petipa's original work. The love triangle remains, but no one dies now, and our protagonist swaps her noble title for some overlap to Florence Nightingale - who history remembers for turning war hospitals from death traps to functional clinics.
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