The ballet Dangerous Liaisons is based on a famous eighteenth-century epistolary novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, which has seen numerous screen adaptations. Director and choreographer Giorgio Madia explores the cruel love intrigues of the Vicomte de Valmont and Marquise de Merteuil, two French aristocrats locked in a battle of wills, sexual desires and conquests. Both enjoy outwitting each other and in doing so they use increasingly refined strategies. As the final two victims of their cruel game they chose two women: the young and innocent Cécile de Volanges and the virtuous Madame de Tourvel. The challenge could not have been demanding but problems arise when the incorrigible seducer and philanderer Valmont falls in love with the beautiful Madame de Tourvel. A contemporary of the ancien régime, during which an atmosphere of libertarianism ruled the aristocratic class, the author of the novel Choderlos de Laclos depicts in a cold and cynical manner what can happen when the participants of reckless games are not well versed in the sophisticated rules of seduction. A fascinating magnificence of malice controls the plot of this legendary masterpiece of French literature renowned for its deliberate provocation.
Giorgio Madia is an Italian choreographer born in Milan. He graduated from the Teatro alla Scala Ballet School. As an internationally acclaimed dancer, Madia’s work includes classical, neo-classical and contemporary pieces. He has received many awards for his ballet and choreographic achievements.
Dian Tchobanov was born in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. He began his conducting studies at the State Musical Academy in Sofia, continuing his education at the Vienna University of Performing Arts and Music. He has conducted concerts, opera and ballet performances in numerous European cities and around the world. In 2017 he was appointed permanent guest conductor of the Croatian National Theater in Zagreb Ballet.
Balet HNK zakoračio je na novi put i dosegnuo novu izvedbenu razinu jer ovdje je gluma podjednako važna kao ples. Ovako hrabri balet u Zagrebu još nismo imali— Večernji list
Ukratko, spektakl za oko!— Jutarnji list
