Ballet expectations of dainty princesses and ethereal spectacle contrast with contemporary productions that introduce messy, modern narratives. Modern ballets present heroines who fumble life choices, AI-driven existential pieces, and vengeful ghostly ensembles. Tamara Rojo's San Francisco Ballet update centers Raymonda, granting the 19th-century noblewoman greater agency and career ambition while preserving romantic conflict. The revised plot removes fatal outcomes and overlays a Florence Nightingale–style nursing role, creating a love quadrangle rather than a simple triangle. Sasha De Sola's protagonist negotiates both romantic desire and professional purpose, and the production applies a feminist lens to Petipa's choreography.
"In reality, one heroine fumbles every life decision and ends up in a swamp. Others create an existential dread music video about AI that's directed by Daft Punk. And somewhere, an army of ghostly women have formed a Kill Bill squad to dance their ex-lovers to death. Then comes Raymonda, a 19th-century prima ballerina in a world of men, but now she's holding all the cards: She can marry Harry, mess around with Ike, and be Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman."
"Our OG heroine is a noblewoman from 1898 and has perfect posture, but minimal personal agency; She twirls for the affection of two men, one a war hero, the other a bad boy. One lives, the other dies - and in between, Raymondadecorates the conflict with flawless footwork. Structurally speaking, Raymonda hasn't strayed too far in Rojo's recent update, which puts a feminist perspective on choreographer Marius Petipa's original work."
Read at The Bold Italic
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