Valmont – The Czech National Ballet – accompanying programme

The romantic ballet Valmont in new cast! This new “premiere” of the favourite piece is accompanied by a lecture for public and by the autograph signing of the new ballet calendar.

“Come and see Valmont, the great work of art! It is created by Libor Vaculík, a Czech choreographer who put his heart into it. It has been on for several years, people love it, they come again and again and always look forward to new cast,” says Adam Zvonař, the first soloist of the Czech National Ballet.

For the first time this week: Adam Zvonař as Valmont, Kristýna Němečková as Marquise de Merteuil, Irina Burduja as Cecile de Volanges and Jonáš Dolník as Knight Danceny.

“This role is a challenge for me! As I study the character of Valmont and spend time with him in the dance studio I realize how hard it is not to overact. To find the right measure and balance is a difficult task for me as the role requires considerable acting skills. I am lucky to have great ballet masters who trust me and support me. I appreciate the opportunity to work with Alexandre Katsapov, the “real Valmont” who danced the premiere in 2014 and for whom the character was created. He stands by me and tries to get the best out of me so that I am a good Valmont too,” says Adam Zvonař.

Lecture for public – Valmont
Did you know that the ballet Valmont was inspired by the novel in letters written by Choderlos de Laclos in 1782? The Estates Theatre opened only a year later and thus is a great place to display the morals of the libertines: Seduce but never fall in love! On stage as well as in life.

The lecturer Kateřina Hanáčková will tell you more about this dramatic ballet in the Estates Theatre foyer at 6.30 pm, half an hour before the performance. A special guest: ballet master and former first soloist Tereza Podařilová, the first Marquise de Merteuil.

Ballet Calendar autograph signing by Valmont soloists
A great opportunity to buy a new wall calendar with beautiful photographs and have it signed by the dancers. A great Christmas present! Come to Mozartův salonek after the performance. All four ballet dancers from the new cast of Valmont will be present – plus Magdaléna Matějková (Madamme de Tourvel).

photo: Martin Divíšek