The best of both worlds – Two highlights oft he repertoire are brought to stage: the one-act »The Dream«, danced with graceful ease, humorous and at times reminiscent of the romantic ballet tradition, and its counterpart »The Four...
Ballet evening in two parts
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy based on »A Midsummer Night’s Dream« by William Shakespeare / Music by Antonio Vivaldi’s »The Four Seasons«, newly composed by Max Richter
Premiere
10. March 2018
Dates & Cast
- Conductor Martin Yates (12., 15., 19., 22. October 2023), Benjamin Pope (25., 28., 30. October 2023)
- Choir Jonathan Becker
- Dramaturgy Juliane Schunke
- Choreography Sir Frederick Ashton
- Music Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
- Set and Costume Design David Walker
- Lighting Design John B. Read
- Production and staging Patricia Tierney
- Choreography, Concept, Libretto and Staging David Dawson
- Music Max Richter
- Solovioline Simos Papanas (12., 28., 30. October 2023), Matthias Wollong (15., 19., 22., 25. October 2023)
- Set Design Eno Henze
- Costume Design Yumiko Takeshima
- Lighting Design Bert Dalhuysen
- Staged by Raphaël Coumes-Marquet, Rebecca Gladstone
The Dream
The Four Seasons
- Conductor Martin Yates
- Choir Jonathan Becker
- Dramaturgy Juliane Schunke
- Choreography Sir Frederick Ashton
- Music Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
- Set and Costume Design David Walker
- Lighting Design John B. Read
- Production and staging Patricia Tierney, Anthony Dowell
The Dream
- Choreography, Concept, Libretto and Staging David Dawson
- Music Max Richter
- Solovioline Simos Papanas
- Set Design Eno Henze
- Costume Design Yumiko Takeshima
- Lighting Design Bert Dalhuysen
- Staged by Raphaël Coumes-Marquet, Rebecca Gladstone
The Four Seasons
Generously supported by the Semperoper Foundation
- Erste Elfe Sofia Savenko
- Zweite Elfe Fernanda Allande
- Titania Alina Cojocaru
- Oberon Václav Lamparter
- Puck Alejandro Azorín (début)
- Bottom Joseph Gray (début)
- Helena Rebecca Haw (début)
- Demetrius Kristóf Kovács (début)
- Hermia Madison Whiteley (début)
- Lysander Richard House (début)
The Dream
- Solopartien Julian Amir Lacey, Courtney Richardson, Zarina Stahnke, Jón Vallejo, Svetlana Gileva (début) , Johannes Goldbach (début)
The Four Seasons
- Conductor Martin Yates
- Choir Jonathan Becker
- Dramaturgy Juliane Schunke
- Choreography Sir Frederick Ashton
- Music Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
- Set and Costume Design David Walker
- Lighting Design John B. Read
- Production and staging Patricia Tierney, Anthony Dowell
The Dream
- Choreography, Concept, Libretto and Staging David Dawson
- Music Max Richter
- Solovioline Matthias Wollong
- Set Design Eno Henze
- Costume Design Yumiko Takeshima
- Lighting Design Bert Dalhuysen
- Staged by Raphaël Coumes-Marquet, Rebecca Gladstone
The Four Seasons
Generously supported by the Semperoper Foundation
- Erste Elfe Sofia Savenko
- Zweite Elfe Fernanda Allande
- Titania Alina Cojocaru
- Oberon Václav Lamparter
- Puck Alejandro Azorín
- Bottom Joseph Gray
- Helena Rebecca Haw
- Demetrius Kristóf Kovács
- Hermia Madison Whiteley
- Lysander Richard House
The Dream
- Solopartien Svetlana Gileva, Johannes Goldbach, Julian Amir Lacey, Courtney Richardson, Zarina Stahnke, Jón Vallejo
The Four Seasons
- Conductor Martin Yates
- Choir Jonathan Becker
- Dramaturgy Juliane Schunke
- Choreography Sir Frederick Ashton
- Music Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
- Set and Costume Design David Walker
- Lighting Design John B. Read
- Production and staging Patricia Tierney, Anthony Dowell
The Dream
- Choreography, Concept, Libretto and Staging David Dawson
- Music Max Richter
- Solovioline Matthias Wollong
- Set Design Eno Henze
- Costume Design Yumiko Takeshima
- Lighting Design Bert Dalhuysen
- Staged by Raphaël Coumes-Marquet, Rebecca Gladstone
The Four Seasons
Generously supported by the Semperoper Foundation
- Erste Elfe Ofeliya Pogosyan, Sofia Savenko
- Zweite Elfe Fernanda Allande
- Titania Chiara Scarrone (début)
- Oberon Lamin Pereira (début)
- Puck Marco Giombelli (début)
- Bottom Lorenzo Alberti (début)
- Helena Susanna Santoro (début)
- Demetrius Casey Ouzounis
- Hermia Lilliana Hagerman (début)
- Lysander Moisés Carrada Palmeros (début)
The Dream
- Solopartien Svetlana Gileva, Johannes Goldbach, Julian Amir Lacey, Courtney Richardson, Zarina Stahnke, Jón Vallejo
The Four Seasons
- Conductor Martin Yates
- Choir Jonathan Becker
- Dramaturgy Juliane Schunke
- Choreography Sir Frederick Ashton
- Music Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
- Set and Costume Design David Walker
- Lighting Design John B. Read
- Production and staging Patricia Tierney, Anthony Dowell
The Dream
- Choreography, Concept, Libretto and Staging David Dawson
- Music Max Richter
- Solovioline Matthias Wollong
- Set Design Eno Henze
- Costume Design Yumiko Takeshima
- Lighting Design Bert Dalhuysen
- Staged by Raphaël Coumes-Marquet, Rebecca Gladstone
The Four Seasons
Generously supported by the Semperoper Foundation
- Erste Elfe Ofeliya Pogosyan, Sofia Savenko
- Zweite Elfe Fernanda Allande
- Titania Chiara Scarrone
- Oberon Lamin Pereira
- Puck Marco Giombelli
- Bottom Lorenzo Alberti
- Helena Susanna Santoro
- Demetrius Casey Ouzounis
- Hermia Lilliana Hagerman
- Lysander Moisés Carrada Palmeros
The Dream
- Solopartien Svetlana Gileva, Johannes Goldbach, Julian Amir Lacey, Courtney Richardson, Zarina Stahnke, Jón Vallejo
The Four Seasons
- Conductor Martin Yates
- Choir Jonathan Becker
- Dramaturgy Juliane Schunke
- Choreography Sir Frederick Ashton
- Music Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
- Set and Costume Design David Walker
- Lighting Design John B. Read
- Production and staging Patricia Tierney, Anthony Dowell
The Dream
- Choreography, Concept, Libretto and Staging David Dawson
- Music Max Richter
- Solovioline Matthias Wollong
- Set Design Eno Henze
- Costume Design Yumiko Takeshima
- Lighting Design Bert Dalhuysen
- Staged by Raphaël Coumes-Marquet, Rebecca Gladstone
The Four Seasons
Generously supported by the Semperoper Foundation
- Erste Elfe Ofeliya Pogosyan, Sofia Savenko
- Zweite Elfe Fernanda Allande
- Titania Kanako Fujimoto (début)
- Oberon Skyler Maxey-Wert (début)
- Puck Francisco Sebastião
- Bottom Lorenzo Alberti
- Helena Rebecca Haw
- Demetrius Kristóf Kovács
- Hermia Madison Whiteley
- Lysander Richard House
The Dream
- Solopartien Julian Amir Lacey, Courtney Richardson, Zarina Stahnke, Jón Vallejo, Richard House (début) , Duosi Zhu (début)
The Four Seasons
- Conductor Benjamin Pope
- Choir Jonathan Becker
- Dramaturgy Juliane Schunke
- Choreography Sir Frederick Ashton
- Music Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
- Set and Costume Design David Walker
- Lighting Design John B. Read
- Production and staging Patricia Tierney, Anthony Dowell
The Dream
- Choreography, Concept, Libretto and Staging David Dawson
- Music Max Richter
- Solovioline Matthias Wollong
- Set Design Eno Henze
- Costume Design Yumiko Takeshima
- Lighting Design Bert Dalhuysen
- Staged by Raphaël Coumes-Marquet, Rebecca Gladstone
The Four Seasons
Generously supported by the Semperoper Foundation
- Erste Elfe Sofia Savenko
- Zweite Elfe Fernanda Allande
- Titania Kanako Fujimoto
- Oberon Skyler Maxey-Wert
- Puck Francisco Sebastião
- Bottom Lorenzo Alberti
- Helena Rebecca Haw
- Demetrius Kristóf Kovács
- Hermia Madison Whiteley
- Lysander Richard House
The Dream
- Solopartien Richard House, Julian Amir Lacey, Courtney Richardson, Zarina Stahnke, Jón Vallejo, Duosi Zhu
The Four Seasons
- Conductor Benjamin Pope
- Choir Jonathan Becker
- Dramaturgy Juliane Schunke
- Choreography Sir Frederick Ashton
- Music Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
- Set and Costume Design David Walker
- Lighting Design John B. Read
- Production and staging Patricia Tierney, Anthony Dowell
The Dream
- Choreography, Concept, Libretto and Staging David Dawson
- Music Max Richter
- Solovioline Simos Papanas
- Set Design Eno Henze
- Costume Design Yumiko Takeshima
- Lighting Design Bert Dalhuysen
- Staged by Raphaël Coumes-Marquet, Rebecca Gladstone
The Four Seasons
Generously supported by the Semperoper Foundation
- Erste Elfe Sofia Savenko
- Zweite Elfe Fernanda Allande
- Titania Ilaria Ghironi (début)
- Oberon Denis Veginy
- Puck Jón Vallejo (début)
- Bottom Vincenzo Mola (début)
- Helena Susanna Santoro
- Demetrius Casey Ouzounis
- Hermia Lilliana Hagerman
- Lysander Moisés Carrada Palmeros
The Dream
- Solopartien Alejandro Azorín, Richard House, Julian Amir Lacey, Courtney Richardson, Duosi Zhu, Kanako Fujimoto (début)
The Four Seasons
- Conductor Benjamin Pope
- Choir Jonathan Becker
- Dramaturgy Juliane Schunke
- Choreography Sir Frederick Ashton
- Music Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
- Set and Costume Design David Walker
- Lighting Design John B. Read
- Production and staging Patricia Tierney, Anthony Dowell
The Dream
- Choreography, Concept, Libretto and Staging David Dawson
- Music Max Richter
- Solovioline Simos Papanas
- Set Design Eno Henze
- Costume Design Yumiko Takeshima
- Lighting Design Bert Dalhuysen
- Staged by Raphaël Coumes-Marquet, Rebecca Gladstone
The Four Seasons
Generously supported by the Semperoper Foundation
- Erste Elfe Sofia Savenko
- Zweite Elfe Fernanda Allande
- Titania Ilaria Ghironi
- Oberon Denis Veginy
- Puck Jón Vallejo
- Bottom Vincenzo Mola
- Helena Susanna Santoro
- Demetrius Casey Ouzounis
- Hermia Lilliana Hagerman
- Lysander Moisés Carrada Palmeros
The Dream
- Solopartien Alejandro Azorín, Kanako Fujimoto, Richard House, Julian Amir Lacey, Courtney Richardson, Duosi Zhu
The Four Seasons
In brief
The best of both worlds – Two highlights oft he repertoire are brought to stage: the one-act »The Dream«, danced with graceful ease, humorous and at times reminiscent of the romantic ballet tradition, and its counterpart »The Four Seasons«, a contemporary reading of neoclassical ballet, touching and rich with connotations. Both choreographers – Frederick Ashton in his adaptation of Shakespeare’s »A Midsummer Night’s Dream« and David Dawson with his interpretation of Vivaldi’s »Four Seasons« – have created timeless dance pieces. The Staatskapelle Dresden and the Semperoper Ballett work together congenially, bringing Oberon, Titania and Puck to the stage with great humor and then transforming Max Richter’s new composition of Vivaldi’s »Four Seasons« (2012) into flowing movement.
Storyline
»The Dream«
Oberon and Titania, the royal couple ruling over the realm of fairies and elves, are arguing about the changeling boy, whom Titania likes a lot – well, too much, at least according to her husband. In order to cheat his wife, Oberon sends his elf Puck through the forest to pick up a magical flower. Having dropped its extract in the eyes of sleeping ones, makes them fall in love with the first living entity they encounter when waking up. Waiting for Puck accomplishing his task, Oberon observes Lysander and Hermia, two merry lovers strolling through the forest. They are accompanied by their two unhappy friends Helena and Demetrius. This depends on the fact that Helena's love for Demetrius remains unrequited for the time being, because the only woman he adores is Hermia.
After Puck’s return, the Fairy King instructs him to make Demetrius fall in love with Helena with the help of the nectar of the flower. In the meantime, Oberon himself drops some of the potion into sleeping Titania’s eyes and arranges her to be awakened by coarse craftsman Bottom, who is also out in the forest. As if this was not enough, teasing Puck witches a donkey's head on Bottom’s neck in addition to this, to increase the Fairy Queen's disgrace even more.
When Titania awakes, her husband's plan comes true. Oberon’s clumsy helper, however, causes even more confusion. For having mistaken the two mortal men, Puck dropped the love liquid into the wrong one’s eyes, so that Lysander suddenly falls in love with Helena. With the help of a magical mist, the Fairy King finally restores order: Titania reconciles with Oberon, and the human lovers are happily united. Bottom, however, continues on his way in dream-like memories of that strange midsummer night.
»The Four Seasons«
For the twelfth time, in 2018 British choreographer David Dawson collaborated with Semperoper Ballett in order to create »The Four Seasons«. Inspired by Antonio Vivaldi’s (1725) violin concert series »Le quattro stagioni (The Four Seasons)« , recomposed in 2012 by Max Richter under the title »The Four Seasons«, and the poems written by contemporary American poet Nayyirah Waheed, Mr Dawson created an abstract ballet for 16 dancers that features the cycle of human life between the elements and layers of life as well as nature. Based on Max Richter's composition, Semperoper Ballett’s Associate Choreographer features this series as a metaphor for the sprouting, blossoming, withering and finally the decay of life in 13 scenes and framed by four geometric set pieces - before the course of the seasons and of existence begins anew.
Explore
A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Making-of (1)
A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Making-of (2)
A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Making-of (3)
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
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