Ballet in 2 acts
Libretto written by Vsevolod Chagovets. Based on poems by Taras Shevchenko
“Lileya” composed by K. Dankevych is considered to be the pearl of national choreographic art, staging Shevchenko poetic images in the ballet. The leading idea of the ballet is the motif of “Lileya”, based on the Ukrainian folk song. The ballet tells the story about the life of the main characters, Liley and Stepan, revealing their dreams, love, sufferings and struggle, the life of their people, who by their fiery hearts inspired them for the struggle against serfdom, and developed the trust in their victory.
| Choreographer |
German Isupov People's аrtist of Ukraine |
| Сhief conductor |
Mykhailo Dutchak People's аrtist of Ukraine |
| Conductor |
Yurii Bervetskyi Honored artist of Ukraine |
| Set designer |
Mykhailo Ryndzak People's Artist of Ukraine |
Warm summer night. The eve of John the Baptist feast. According to tradition, girls throw garlands of flowers onto the river to predict their future. The most beautiful among them is Lileya, and all young men are charmed by her. She loves Stepan, her childhood friend, and their love is mutual. Lileya and Stepan ask the Prince’s permission for their engagement. At first, the Prince agrees, but then, seeing the girl’s beauty, he decides to part the beloved couple; he orders to bring the girl to his castle and take Stepan as a servant. However, the community decides to send Stepan to Zaporozhian Sich and to protect Lileya from the Prince.
Prince’s soldiers search for Lileya. Exhausted, Lileya is on the bank ok the lake. Tired and lonely, she is found by gipsies. They take care of the girl and help her to escape the soldiers. Lileya falls asleep and dreams a strange dream: Stepan is surrounded by dancing mermaids. But suddenly, she awakes.
Blind folk singers – the kobzars – are approaching the lake. Stepan is among them. On his way to Zaporozhian Sich, he was caught and blinded by the Prince’s soldiers. The Prince appears and wants to kill helpless Stepan, but Lileya protects her beloved. People come to help the young couple. The peasants kill the dishonourable Prince, and the blind Stepan calls to fight for freedom and happiness.
“Lileya” composed by K. Dankevych is considered to be the pearl of national choreographic art, staging Shevchenko poetic images in the ballet. The leading idea of the ballet is the motif of “Lileya”, based on the Ukrainian folk song. The ballet tells the story about the life of the main characters, Liley and Stepan, revealing their dreams, love, sufferings and struggle, the life of their people, who by their fiery hearts inspired them for the struggle against serfdom, and developed the trust in their victory.
| Lileya |
Anastasia Bondar Daryna Kirik |
| Stepan |
Serhiy Kachura Honored artist of Ukraine Andriy Mykhalikha Oleksandr Omelchenko Honored Artist of Ukraine |
| Prince |
Arsen Marusenko Artur Kokoev |
| Lily's Mother |
Аnna Yefremeniuk |
| Stepan's father |
Andriy Bilous |
| Shoemaker |
Volodymyr Sudomliak |
| Matchmakers |
Yuliya Ushakova Irena Babenko Bohdan Kluchnyk |
| Mariula (gypsy) |
Romana Dumanska diploma of the international competition Uljana Korchevska Nataliya Pelo |
| Perko (gypsy) |
Serhiy Kachura Honored artist of Ukraine Andriy Mykhalikha Ilya Ustynenkov Оleksandr Zamlynnyi |
| Hajduk |
Viktor Gatselyuk Serhii Dadukevich |
| Queen of Mermaids |
Anastasia Gnatyshyn Dariya Cosminа |