Premiere of "Kratt" tonight

Premiere at the Estonian National opera on September 18, 2015

Choreographer and Stage Director: Marina Kesler
Conductors: Vello Pähn, Kaspar Mänd, Lauri Sirp
Costume Designer: Gerly Tinn
Set Designer: Madis Nurms
Lighting Designer: Karmen Tellisaar
Video Design: Argo Valdmaa
Graphics: Joanita Janson
Estonian National Opera Orchestra, female chorus, the Estonian National Ballet and Tallinn Ballet School

"Kratt" or “The Goblin” is the first Estonian ballet by Eduard Tubin. The work is based on a mythical character from Estonian folklore, the Goblin, whose sole purpose is to serve his greedy master, the Farmer, in obtaining riches. In Marina Kesler’s rendition, the story crosses the borders of one nation’s folklore: in a contemporary money-hungry world the Goblin is like a voice in people’s head, finding excuses why there is never enough money.

“Kratt” premiered in 1943 at the Vanemuine Theatre, conducted by the composer himself. The choreographer and stage director was Ida Urbel. The ballet premiered at the Estonian National Opera a year later as the last staging of Rahel Olbrei. “The Goblin” could be performed a few times only as the theatre suffered severely from the Soviet aerial bombardment, begun on March 9, 1944. Without having time to change out of their costumes, the dancers fled the building, scaring the citizens in the streets. “The Goblin” was last staged at the Estonian National Opera by Mai Murdmaa in 1999. Tubin has successfully combined folk music elements with contemporary sound and symphonic language. In his words, ““The Goblin” is based completely on folk music that provides an inexhaustible treasury”. In 1962, Tubin composed an orchestra suite from the ballet’s music.

See the design HERE >>