Most of us have experienced the fact that a theatre-stage is a place of wonder – especially in the eyes of children. The ballet production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs has exactly that kind of magic, charming not only for the little ones but also for adults. At the LNOBT, the production has been on the theatre‘s repertoire for almost 50 years and has seen generations of children growing up with it. Many of them admit that it is their favorite ballet for younger audiences!

 

 

The story of Snow White, who was saved from the evil charms of her stepmother by the seven dwarfs, is a very well known story, which is loved by children from all over the world. Just like all other fairy tales, it has a happy ending – Snow White meets and marries her Prince, and they live happily ever after. This fairy tale shines beautifully on stage, performed as a ballet – the extraordinary beauty of lavish sets and costumes, the graceful choreography and heartfelt performances of dancers turn Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs into an unforgettable experience, inviting children to fall in love with the theatre and get lost in a spectacular world of miracles.

 

 

Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre
The court ballet in Lithuania was started in the 16th century. At the same time dance was encouraged at school theatres too (e.g. at the Vilnius College founded in 1570, which in 1579 was reorganized into the Vilnius University, at the Kražiai College and the Kaunas College, founded in the 17th century). Latin school drama, which survived more than 200 years, united all the branches of the arts. Traditional plots, as well as those taken from Lithuanian history, were danced then.

 

On September 4th 1636 a music drama Il ratto di Helena by playwright Virgilio Puccitellia and unknown composer was staged at the court theatre in Vilnius. The court theatre of Lithuania's Grand Duke and Poland's King Ladislaus Vaza, which had already performed in both capitals Warsaw and Vilnius, produced the premiere. There were 20 dancers in the theatre.

 

The ballet became particularly popular in the middle of the 18th century. Dramas, called ballets, were produced at the Vilnius University. The nobles of Lithuania supported ballet troupes and ballet schools, directed by Italian and French ballet masters. There were 10 theatres at the courts working for a longer or shorter period of time. They survived up to the beginning of the 19th century. At the public town theatres, founded in Vilnius and Klaipeda in 1785, ballet developed somewhat slowly. However, during the 19th century, the ballet in Lithuania was extremely enriched by the guest performances of French, Italian, and later also Russian ballet troupes.