Ballet of the Romanian National Opera, Bucharest: Raymonda

Direction and choreography: Maki Asami, after Marius Petipa
Rehearsal master and assistant choreographer: Takako Nishikawa
Costume design: Viorica Petrovici
Set design: Adrian Damian
Set design assistants: : Raluca Aionițoaie, Miruna Croitoru 

Running time: 2 hours and 50 minutes, including two intervals

Raymonda is the last great masterpiece of Marius Petipa (1818–1910), one of the world’s most influential choreographers most noted for The Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, and Swan Lake. In consolidating and applying all his skills and experiences, Petipa created a mature choreographic work that continues to be one of his most enduring pieces, thrilling the audiences not only with its challenging choreography that has become one of the ultimate tests of the classical ballerina, but also the dazzling character dances.

The story is set in medieval Provence. At the castle of Doris, preparations are under way for the celebrations of the beautiful young countess Raymonda’s name day. She rejoices in the news that King Andrew II of Hungary, and her fiancé, the noble crusader knight Jean de Brienne, are returning home in triumph. The Saracen knight Abderakhman and his entourage stop at the castle seeking shelter for the night. Captivated by Raymonda's beauty, Abderakhman falls in love with her. Raymonda falls asleep and begins to dream about running into her knight’s arms and the two lovers declaring their love for each other.

The feast in honour of Jean de Brienne's arrival is taking place. Abderakhman approaches Raymonda and reveals his passion for her, but she rejects him with contempt. Abderakhman grabs Raymonda in an attempt to abduct her, but luckily Jean de Brienne arrives just in time.
Jean de Brienne saves Raymonda from the hands of the Saracens and tries to seize Abderakhman. The King commands the two rivals to put an end to the matter in a duel. Abderakhman dies slain by de Brienne's sword. Raymonda joyfully embraces her fiancé and the two reaffirm their love as the King joins their hands, giving the newly wedded couple his blessing. In his honour, everyone at court is dressed in Hungarian fashion and performs a range of Hungarian-style dances.