The Firebird / Petrushka
Dubai Opera is proud to present The Firebird / Petrushka, a landmark ballet double bill performed by the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb, running from 24 to 26 April 2026.
This exceptional programme pays tribute to one of the most influential composers of the 20th century, Igor Stravinsky, through two of his most iconic scores, reimagined by leading contemporary choreographic voices.
Bringing together The Firebird and Petrushka, this refined diptych offers a compelling dialogue between heritage and modernity, showcasing how Stravinsky’s revolutionary musical language continues to inspire new artistic visions for our time.
In The Firebird, choreographer Maša Kolar transforms the celebrated fairy tale into a contemporary, abstract and symbolic journey, set to Stravinsky’s 1919 suite. Her interpretation explores themes of power, metamorphosis, and transcendence, guiding Prince Ivan through a dreamlike world where myth becomes a poetic reflection on transformation and human desire.
Edward Clug’s Petrushka offers a visually striking and emotionally resonant reinterpretation of the tragic puppet’s story. While echoing the spirit and theatrical legacy of the Ballets Russes, Clug’s version speaks to a contemporary sensibility, delving into questions of identity, alienation, and the fragility of the human condition through a language of refined minimalism and profound expressiveness.
Together, these two masterworks form an evening of exceptional artistic depth, where classical repertoire is re-envisioned through a contemporary lens, reaffirming ballet’s enduring power as a living, evolving art form on the stage of Dubai Opera.
This performance is proudly supported by Van Cleef & Arpels.
Photo Gallery
Dubai Opera is the ideal venue to celebrate elegance and style. Kindly avoid overly casual or provocative attire, such as shorts or flip flops, to uphold our venue standards. Guests not complying with the dress code will not be permitted entry.
Children aged 6 years and above require a valid ticket to enter the Dubai Opera Main Auditorium.
Children under 6 years of age are not permitted inside the Dubai Opera Main Auditorium.
Approximately 1 and 30 minutes including an intermission
Latecomers will not be admitted into the auditorium once the performance has begun. Entry will only be permitted during intermission, if applicable
Igor Stravinsky
THE FIREBIRD / PETRUSHKA
THE FIREBIRD
The Firebird Suite by Igor Stravinsky
Choreographer: Maša Kolar
Set and Costume Designer: Petra Pavičić
Dramaturge and Assistant Choreographer: Maja Marjančić
Ballet Master: Iva Višak
Lighting Designer: Nuno Salsinha
ENSEMBLE
The Firebird: Takuya Sumitomo & Rieka Suzuki Sumitomo
The Prince: Yuho Yoshioka
Birds: Natalia Kosovac, Atina Tanović, Saya Ikegami, Taiguara Goulart, Mario Diligente, Seth Bromley Clark
PETRUSHKA
Libretto by Igor Stravinsky and Alexandre Benois
Choreographer: Edward Clug
Set Designer: Marko Japelj
Costume Designer: Leo Kulaš
Light Designer: Tomaž Premzl
Assistant Choreographer: Mirjana Šrot
Assistants Costume Designers: Ana Trišler
Ballet Master: Andrej Barbanov
Puppet Designer: Primož Mihevc
Sculptors: Lucija Jelić, Dražen Grdanjski
ENSEMBLE
Petrushka Yuho Yoshioka (24. i 26.4.) / Pavel Savin (25.4. x 2)
The Ballerina: Natalia Kosovac (24. i 26.4.) / Iva Vitić Gameiro (25.4. x 2)
The Moor: Taiguara Goulart (24. i 26.4.) / Samuele Berbenni (25.4. x 2)
The Charlatan: Takuya Sumitomo (24. i 26.4.) / Guilherme Gameiro Alves (25.4. x 2)
Young Couples:
Atina Tanović & Mario Diligente
Dora Blaić & Adam Harris
Anamarija Marković & Andrea Podda
Dora Kovač & Arnau Velazquez Rodriguez
Mutsumi Matsuhisa & Mario Charlo Sobrino
Hinako Shinzaki & Takahiro Tamagawa
Helena Troha & Kornel Pálinkó
Makeely Georgia Foster & Justin Popa
Leda Šeparović & Pierre Gaston
Young Merchants – Men Thomas Boddington, Ovidiu Muscalu, Dan Rus, Vid Vugrinec, Samuele Berbenni (24. i 26.4.), Taiguara Goulart (25.4. x 2), Giovanni Messeri, Seth Bromley Clark
Young Merchants – Women Paulina Žanetić, Marta Sironić, Lada Rora, Daria Brdovnik, Agnese Strancanelli, Lucija Radić Pálinkó, Elizabeth Maria Anderson
Drunkards Kornel Pálinkó, Mario Diligente
Puppets:
Petruška / Petrushka Vito Križnjak
Balerina / The Ballerina Diana Montes Mota
Maur / The Moor Ossian Montemartillo
Première 15th November 2024, Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb
Musical Leader Ljudmila Šumarova
Accompanist Teo Visintin
Stage Manager George Stanciu
