DESDEMONA
World renowned choreographer Anželika Cholina’s take on William Shakespeare’s tragic tale of jealousy and duplicity is a percussion filled, striking and vibrant production that delves deeply into the soul of the tragedy and its self-sacrificing yet defiant heroine. In Cholina’s production, based on fellow Lithuanian Anatolijus Šenderovas’ original composition, artists of the ballet troupe of the Kaunas Musical Theater dance multiple roles, thus creating not only the effect of mass, but also giving meaning to the miracle and drama of the transformation of the characters.
Ballet in 2 acts
Production: Kaunas Musical Theatre
Running time: 1 hour 35 min
Photos by D. Matvejev
Anželika Cholina is one of the world’s most prominent choreographers. She has staged over 40 works: dance performances, ballets, musicals, operettas and operas, and more than 100 choreographic miniatures. She has been a choreography director of several episodes of Warner Brothers and NetworkUSA movies. Her work has been awarded countless medals and honors in Lausanne, Varna, Moscow, Paris, Tokyo, New-York, Stockholm, Munich and Helsinki. Cholina’s dance performances are exceptional, intertwining elements of classical ballet, modern dance and acting. According to the choreographer, the means of expression and the choice of dancers and actors depend only on the performance theme. And their range is truly wide, varying from ancient dramas and productions of world literature classics to choreographic improvisations inspired by Argentinian tango or Lithuanian folk music.
CREATIVE TEAM
Music Director and Conductor: Ričardas Šumila
Director and Choreographer: Anželika Cholina
Conductor: Julius Geniušas
Set Designer: Marijus Jacovskis
Costume Designer: Olga Filatova Kontrimienė
Hair and Make-up Designer: Dalia Žakytė
Light Designer: Audrius Jankauskas
Symphony orchestra of Kaunas State Musical Theatre
Jazz percussionist Arkadijus Gotesmanas
Violin solo: Povilas Grigas
Cello solo: Tomas Šatas
Cello solo in epilogue: David Geringas (record)
General Manager of Kaunas State Musical Theatre Benjaminas Želvys
CAST
Othello, a Moorish general – Jonas Laucius
Desdemona, his wife – Nora Straukaitė
Iago, Othello's ensign – Valerijus Osadčenko
Cassio, Othello's captain – Aurimas Tiškevičius
Bianka – Sandra Lavrenovaitė
Emilia, wife of Iago and maid of Desdemona – Stefanija Nosovaitė
Brabantio, father of Desdemona – Roman Zavgorodnii
Turkish military commander – Roman Zavgorodnii
Roderigo, a wealthy Venetian – Andrey Ianbekov
Girl, daughter of Iago and Emilia – Miglė Borodičaitė
Othello's crew, the Turks, Iago's thoughts, Laundresses:
Ana Buchovskaja-Zamulskienė, Gintarė Daknytė, Faustina Gelžinytė, Laura Annika Lehtonen, Auksė Mikalajūnaitė-Osadčenko, Nedas Nedzveckas, Justina Vitkutė, Asta Voronova, Martynas Čiučiulka, Jokūbas Nosovas, Viktorija Miliauskienė
BONUS FEATURES
Upcoming screenings for Desdemona can be found on our In Cinemas page
