Dangerous Liaisons

Dangerous Liaisons
/Ohtlikud suhted/
A Ballet by Giorgio Madia on the music of Joseph Haydn

Director, Librettist, Choreographer and Lighting Designer Giorgio Madia (Italy)
Musical Director and Conductor Aleksandr Brazhnyk
Conductor Martin Sildos
Set and Costume Designer Domenico Franchi (Italy)
Choreographer’s Assistant Mihaela Devald Roksandić (Croatia)
Vanemuine ballet company and Vanemuine symphony orchestra


Based on the scandalous 18th century novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, Giorgio Madia’s Dangerous Liaisons explores the schemes of the Vicomte de Valmont and the Marquise de Merteuil, two French aristocrats locked in a battle of wits, wills, and seduction. This involves cruel manipulations with those more naïve and innocent than them. They both enjoy outdoing each other, spinning their net of intrigues only serves to grow their mutual desire.

A contemporary of the ancien régime during which the libertine spirit reigned over the noble class, Choderlos de Laclos, the author of the epistolary novel, exemplified in a cold and cynical way what might happen if not all participants of such frivolous games were familiar with their intricate rules. It is the fascinating brilliance of cruel intentions that guides the events of this legendary masterpiece of French literature.

Giorgio Madia, widely known in Europe for his full-length narrative ballets, strives to make theatre that is not about the steps but about the story, and even more so about the subtext: suspense, excitement, and allusions. The ballet Dangerous Liaisons is a sensual game of lust, seduction, and revenge. Until someone falls in love…

Premiere on September 28th 2024 at the Vanemuine Theatre Grand Building
Attention! The performance features several scenes with erotic undertones.