Rite of Spring

A ballet evening in two parts

This ballet evening presents two short productions – Almost Air, created by Vanemuine Ballet Director Jevgeni Grib on Béla Bartók’s music, and Igor Stravinski’s Rite of Spring, as interpreted by Edward Clug, a highly in-demand contemporary choreographer.

Almost Air

The short ballet Almost Air explores a universal phenomenon – aging – through the perspective of a dancer at the end of their career. This is a stage of life where the physical body and presence seem to fade, whereas one’s inner world becomes even clearer. A maturity emerges that no longer seeks validation. Transparency is not disappearance but rather a transition onto another level. The production, created on the colourful and emotion-filled music of Béla Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra, gives performers from different generations a chance to dance and speak. This is Jevgeni Grib’s first production as Artistic Director of the Vanemuine Ballet, and a creative reunion with dramaturge Siret Campbell who collaborated with Grib on his first full-length ballet Ash White.

Jevgeni Grib’s production captivated with its organic interweaving – the mystical harmony between music, design, and choreography drew the audience in from the very first notes and culminated in a wondrous finale. Once again, Jevgeni surprised with his imaginative play on choreographic forms, while subtly and unobtrusively leaving room for layered interpretations.
— Marina Kesler, choreographer-director (Estonian National Ballet)

Rite of Spring

Igor Stravinsky’s short ballet Rite of Spring is a work with a cult-like reputation, depicting an old Russian folk legend where a young virgin must dance herself to death as part of a ritualistic sacrifice to appease a pagan spring deity. Since its scandalous world premiere, directed by Wacław Niżyński in 1913, the composition has inspired acclaimed choreographers like Maurice Béjart, Pina Bausch, and Edward Clug, whose interpretation of Rite of Spring premiered at the Slovenian National Theatre Maribor in 2012. Since then, the production has featured in numerous festivals across the world. Now, audiences at the Vanemuine Theatre have a rare opportunity to witness the work of a contemporary star choreographer.

The Rite of Spring left me speechless! To see world-renowned Edward Clug’s masterpiece on the stage of Vanemuine is a true cultural event. The choreography, simple yet expressive, felt as though it had been created especially for Vanemuine Ballet – the company’s performance was dynamic, passionate, and imbued with a sacred depth. The soloists were compelling and deeply moving. The stage effects elevated the production to an exceptional, almost unattainable level, and the orchestra was an undeniable part of this powerful artistic experience.
— Marina Kesler, choreographer-director (Estonian National Ballet)

I thoroughly enjoyed the evening as a whole. The entire performance left a deep and moving impression. The company worked together excellently, and there was a strong sense of creative unity on stage. Both the choreography and the dancers’ performances felt engaging and refreshingly new. I highly recommend coming to Tartu to see the ballet.
— Kaie Kõrb, ballerina

Premiere: March 14, 2026 – Grand Building of the Vanemuine Theatre

PROGRAM