Last week I went to see the ballet Raymonda (music of course by Alexandr Glazunov) in the firm belief that I had never seen it before. However, I discovered that it had been performed in the very same house in 2003, so I must have seen it then. Exploring the matter further I found out that Minna Tervamäki had been in the role of Raymonda, and it sort of faintly seemed to ring a bell. I read also that it was a cooperation with the American Ballet Theater and had a more traditional setting than this new one set in the Crimean War, a cooperation with the English National Ballet with a choreography by Tamara Rojo (based on Petipa's original choreography). Twenty years ago the cast was mainly Finnish, now almost the only Finn with a role was Frans Valkama as Berengar (he was on stage also 20 years ago). The dancers, especially men, were probably better now than then, but will there ever be good Finnish dancers - as Minna Tervamäki was in her day - if they don't get a chance to perform in a significant role? But they were all excellent; I'll just to mention the first three: Abigail Sheppard (Raymonda), Francesco Gabriele Frola (John de Bryan) and Giulio Diligente (Abdur Rahman).

Anyhow, the idea of setting the events in the Crimean War is an brilliant idea, although it felt a bit awkward with the actual war so close to the region. The Spanish, Hungarian and such dances were also slightly comical in the context, although probably less anachronistic than they would have been in the original crusades setting. I also very much doubt there were entertainment tours in the real Crimean War. But basically the idea was splendid and was executed in a very satisfying manner.