"La Traviata" by Kyiv Modern Ballet: the main premiere of the fall in the capital
On October 16 and 17, 2025, Kyiv will see one of the most anticipated cultural events of the year — the premiere of the ballet “La Traviata” staged by Radu Poklitaru. It will be the key project of the 20th season of the “Kyiv Modern Ballet” Academic Theatre and a symbolic milestone in its development.
A symbolic arch from “Carmen. TV” to “La Traviata”
Radu Poklitaru, the author of the libretto, choreography and staging, calls the new ballet an “homage” to the great music of Giuseppe Verdi. He emphasises that “La Traviata” is a kind of “arch” spanning from the theatre’s very first production — “Carmen. TV”, staged 20 years ago — to today’s premiere.
“It is a gesture of gratitude to the opera that once captivated my heart, and at the same time a desire to create a contemporary artistic image that will resonate with our era,” the principal choreographer noted.
Supporting culture during the war
The project is being carried out with the support of the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation as part of the “Culture During the War” programme and the budget of the city of Kyiv. Viktoriia Mukha, head of the Kyiv City Council’s commission on cultural matters, emphasised that the full houses at artistic events prove that culture is needed by society today no less than in peacetime.
“Kyiv Modern Ballet has already repeatedly demonstrated a high level of cultural product, and the new ‘La Traviata’ will be a continuation of this success,” she stressed.
The language of colour: costumes and symbols
Costume designer Dmytro Kuryata said that in the production the main instrument of emotional impact will be the symbolism of colour. The audience can expect a restrained palette in which every shade carries deep meaning. Particular attention will be drawn to the lead character’s red dress, which has already appeared in the production’s teaser.
“Even within a single colour we can convey different states of the soul — from passion to despair. This works on an intuitive level and shapes a cohesive image of the production,” Kuryata explained.
The cultural event of the season
The ballet “La Traviata” will be the central highlight of the “20 Seasons of Sustainability and Innovation” initiative that the theatre is carrying out this year. For audiences, it is a chance to see how Verdi’s classic opera comes to life in a contemporary choreographic interpretation, preserving the power of emotion and revealing new meanings.
The premiere performances will take place in Kyiv on 16 and 17 October.
Serhii Ponomarov
LIFE.KYIV.UA
