The Blizzard (2021)

Choreography: Andrey Kaydanovskiy  
Music: Lorenz Dangel
Dramaturgy: Serge Honegger
Stage design: Karoline Hogl
Costume design: Arthur Arbesser
Light design: Christian Kass

 

The young Marja, born into a well-off family, falls in love with the poor ensign Vladimir, much to her parents' dismay. The couple's plan to marry in secret is thwarted by fate when, on their way to the church at night, the two lovers lose each other in a snowstorm. Vladimir, consumed by a sense of failure, decides to become a soldier, goes off to war, and is killed. Marja’s life, as well as that of her family, takes a completely different turn.

In his first full-length narrative ballet, Andrey Kaydanovskiy delves into the existential questions embedded in Pushkin’s story: What is the nature of fate? Is there such a thing as destiny, or is everything mere chance? How do people cope with the unpredictable? Together with composer Lorenz Dangel, known for his work in film and theater, and the entire artistic team, Kaydanovskiy developed a compelling storytelling style that vividly portrays the fateful trajectories of the protagonists’ lives with great dynamism.

"Life is full of surprises," the choreographer reflects. "While we try to push it in a certain direction, life may have already chosen another path for us, throwing us off course like a snowstorm. Yet sometimes, that’s exactly what we need to realize that there isn’t just one single way forward."