Drama ballet that earned Kang Sue-jin her Benois de la Danse arrives in May
The Korean National Ballet will present the Korean premiere of John Neumeier’s dramatic ballet "Lady of the Camellias" at the Seoul Arts Center's Opera House from May 7 to 11.
"Lady of the Camellias" is Neumeier’s adaptation of Alexandre Dumas fils’ 1848 novel of the same title. The ballet, which follows the tragic love story of Marguerite Gautier, a Parisian courtesan stricken with tuberculosis, and Armand Duval, a young bourgeois, was first performed by the Stuttgart Ballet in 1978.
Known for its poignant portrayal of love and fate, this masterpiece holds special significance for KNB’s artistic director Kang Sue-jin. During her career as a dancer with the Stuttgart Ballet, Kang’s performance in "Lady of the Camellias" earned her the prestigious Benois de la Danse award in 1999, making her the first Asian recipient of the honor.
A distinctive feature of the ballet is its live piano accompaniment on stage, with a score centered around Frederic Chopin’s music. The production includes an array of Chopin’s evocative and romantic compositions, such as nocturnes, ballads, mazurkas and polonaises, with his piano concertos heightening key emotional moments.
One of the ballet’s most iconic elements is the three pas de deux between Marguerite and Armand, each symbolizing a different stage of their relationship. The color of Marguerite’s dress in each duet reflects the development of their love story.
The purple pas de deux, set to Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2, captures the moment Marguerite and Armand first fall in love. The white pas de deux, performed to Piano Sonata No. 3 (Largo), portrays their passionate and joyous love. The black pas de deux, set to Ballade No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 23, conveys the intensity of their reunion after separation, portraying emotions of love, betrayal and misunderstanding through dramatic choreography.
"Lady of the Camellias" marks KNB’s second collaboration with Neumeier, following last year’s production of "The Little Mermaid." The company credits Kang’s deep understanding of Neumeier’s choreographic style — gained from her time at the Stuttgart Ballet — as instrumental in preparing for this production.
Neumeier himself will visit Korea twice to oversee casting and personally guide the dancers.
The Korean National Ballet will also bring back Neumeier’s "The Little Mermaid" for a second run in August.
hwangdh@heraldcorp.com
