Ballet: Kallirhoe

“In fact, her beauty was not so much human as divine, not that of a Nereid or mountain nymph, either, but of Aphrodite herself. Reports of this incredible vision spread far and wide: suitors came pouring into Syracuse, (…)”. 

These are the opening words used by Chariton of Aphrodisias, who describes himself as “clerk of the lawyer Athenagoras”, in his prose romance of Callirhoe and Chaereas, whose joyous wedding is followed by all manner of conflicts, disasters, abductions and dangers before they are finally reunited.

The oldest surviving complete novel Callirhoe, which was probably written in the 1st century AD, tells of the “jealousy of mortals and the whims of the gods” and describes such great emotions as love, envy, loss and forgiveness. Star choreographer Alexei Ratmansky, who has long been fascinated by ancient art and culture, turned it into a story ballet which had its world premiere in 2020 with the American Ballet Theatre: a work that offers a contemporary choreographic portrait of an ancient world. The European premiere of Callirhoe with the Vienna State Ballet – to the splendid and poetic music of Aram Khatchaturian – promises both epic drama and exceptional dancing. 

“It’s about a great love – and adventures. A first love, which then returns as mature emotion, cemented by the experience of horrible misfortunes.”

Alexei Ratmansky