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Q: How do you pronounce Callirhoe?A: Kal-lih-ro-ee

Q: How do you pronounce Chaereas?A: Ky-rey-ahs

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A Story As Old As Time

treasure break in, discover she is alive and kidnap her, thus beginning

a sweeping journey of war, deception, and, eventually, love and

forgiveness when husband and wife are reunited. Even the ancient

Greeks liked a (bittersweet) happy ending.

Ratmansky has used this story to create Of Love and Rage, a ballet

that will connect the past with the present, introducing audiences

to a tale that re� ects the ever-present and timely emotions of

humankind—jealousy, love, and forgiveness.

Forgiveness is better than revenge. (Pittacus of Mytilene, 650–570BC)

“� is story is not a fairytale,” say Ratmansky. “Although it was

written thousands of years ago, the complexity of the relationship is

at its core—and the tough choices Callirhoe and Chaereas face—feels

modern and relevant.” He continues, “We’re going for true emotions:

Love which is stronger than any circumstances. And I am fascinated

by the topic of forgiveness. Forgiveness is the only way they can

reunite, and forgiveness requires strength.”

Ratmansky is using both his expansive knowledge of classical

ballet’s history—and the rhythms and harmonies of music—to create a

powerful story-driven piece that also mirrors the ancient Greek ideal

of the timeless aesthetic of beauty and body in motion. It will be told

entirely through the language of ballet; no parts will be mimed.

Ratmansky started on this project two years ago by looking for

It’s a story as old as time. A beautiful girl and a handsome young

man fall in love. � ey marry, but a� er the ceremony the young man

is tricked into believing his bride has betrayed him. He is consumed

with rage and confronts her. In her shock at his outburst, she faints

and falls to the ground. Everyone believes she has died and a funeral

takes place.

But she’s not really dead, and there the adventure begins.

* * * * * * * * *

Choreographer Alexei Ratmansky, American Ballet � eatre’s

(ABT) artist in residence and a MacArthur Fellowship winner, was

asked by Kevin McKenzie, ABT artistic director, to create an entirely

new ballet to celebrate ABT’s 80th anniversary. Ratmansky had

learned about an ancient Greek novel Callirhoe from French � lm

director Guillaume Galliene. He knew it was the perfect vehicle for

something entirely di� erent from the re-stagings and revivals he had

already brought to the company’s repertoire.

� e story, written by Chariton of Aphrodisias, dates from

approximately the � rst century B.C. and is widely acknowledged as

the oldest surviving novel ever written. � e story centers on Callirhoe,

daughter of Hermocrates, the ruler of Syracuse in current day Sicily.

A� er her supposed death in front of her new husband, Chaereas,

Callirhoe’s body is placed in a tomb. Pirates looking for her burial

American Ballet � eatre brings the World Premiere of Alexei Ratmansky’s Of Love and Rage, the dance event of the season, to the Center March 5–8.

t’s a story as old as time. A beautiful girl and a handsome young

man fall in love. � ey marry, but a� er the ceremony the young man

treasure break in, discover she is alive and kidnap her, thus beginning treasure break in, discover she is alive and kidnap her, thus beginning treasure break in, discover she is alive and kidnap her, thus beginning treasure break in, discover she is alive and kidnap her, thus beginning t’s a story as old as time. A beautiful girl and a handsome young t’s a story as old as time. A beautiful girl and a handsome young treasure break in, discover she is alive and kidnap her, thus beginning

continued on page 16

Costume sketches by Jean-Marc Puissant, left to right:

Callirhoe, Chaereas, King of Babylon, Queen of Babylon

BY KAREN DRUM

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on the stage, which is a storytelling device and reappears later in the

production. “� e face came from a small, terracotta artifact found

in Syracuse, Sicily,” which was part of ancient Greece. � e scenery is

minimal, with recognizable Greek motifs to indicate where the action

is happening as it changes from indoors to outdoors.

“� is is an exciting dance event for ABT and the Center,” says

McKenzie. “Ratmansky has outdone himself with this work and

created something very di� erent in collaboration with his colleagues.”

He continues, “When someone is re-choreographing an existing ballet,

you are working with extant standards, but when choreographing a

new, original ballet, you are setting the standard. Ratmansky has set

that new standard.”

“� e Center has had the honor of hosting the world premieres

of several Ratmansky ballets, but this will be one of the most

thrilling,” says Judy Morr, the Center’s executive vice president. “To

be inspired by a Greek love story will be very di� erent from his

previous traditional story ballets, and completely original. It will be a

remarkable experience for dance audiences and one not to be missed.”

music to match his vision and chose as his main source Gayane, a

ballet written by Russian composer Aram Khachaturian in 1942. “It’s

really one of the great scores that is never used,” he says. “� is is a

story that can � t it.” (Audiences will have an “a-ha” moment when they

hear one famous section of the work, the Sabre Dance, which will be

included in the ballet’s score.)

“Russian music is very much a part of my upbringing,” says

Ratmansky. “Not just understanding the development of Russian

music in my head, but the feel of it in my body, so to speak. � is

music is very strong and quite extraordinary. It has a melodic richness

and wonderful rhythms.” � e ballet’s score will also include musical

elements from other Khachaturian compositions.

Ratmansky asked Gallienne to write the libretto. � e pair has

successfully collaborated on other projects, including Lost Illusions for

the Bolshoi Ballet, based on a novel by Honoré de Balzac.

Of Love and Rage will incorporate elements of ancient Greek

drama, and Gallienne’s libretto promises to be full of symbolism and

profound emotion. � e chorus, so ingrained in ancient Greek plays,

will be an important feature, and will utilize the full company of ABT

dancers to portray supporting emotions in a commentary role.

� e set and costume designs by award-winning theater designer

Jean-Marc Puissant will incorporate the understated and harmonious

style of ancient Greek art and architecture. For Of Love and Rage,

Puissant started by focusing on archaeological research and visiting

museums, including the Louvre in Paris, the British Museum and

the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. “Designs for sets

and costumes for this production come from artifacts of the time

and location of the story,” says Puisssant. “� e architectural elements

on stage are authentic.” Act One opens with a large head of a lady

continued from page 15

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AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE’S OF LOVE AND RAGESEGERSTROM HALLDates: March 5–8Tickets: $29 and up

Presented with special underwriting from:Mr. & Mrs. Eyal AronoffWilliam J. GillespieMr. & Mrs. George Schreyer

For tickets and information visit SCFTA.org or call (714) 556-2787 Group services: (714) 755-0236

on the stage, which is a storytelling device and reappears later in the music to match his vision and chose as his main source Gayane, a

continued from page 15

Set design by Jean-Marc Puissant