Repertoire
2 hours. Presented with one interval.
Libretto by L. Massine based on a novel by N. Kazantzakis.
- Costume Designers:
- Maria LEVYTSKA
- Natalia KUCHERYA
- Choirmaster General:
- Bogdan PLISH
- Conductor:
- Allin VLASENKO
- Assistant Choreographer:
- Anna KSHYSHKOV
- Rehearsal Coaches:
- Sergii BONDUR
- Anatolii KOZLOV
- Mykola MIKHEIEV
- Concertmasters:
- Nataliia ROMENSKA
- Oksana GOROBIIEVSKA
- Dinara SABITOVA
- Svitlana TERENTIEVA
- Choirmasters:
- Denys KRUTKO
- Viktoria SAVENKO
- Director who lead the performance:
- Alla VYSOTSKA
SUMMARY
The story is set in a small Greek town, where John, an American tourist, comes to participate in the Dionysiacs (ancient miracle-plays dedicated to the Greek god Dionysos).
John falls in love with a Greek girl named Marina. Manolios, a young local man, also loves her unrequitedly.
The people of the town are hostile to the foreigner. The situation becomes tense when Alexis Zorba returns to his native town. Quite unlike his compatriots he is a free and unbiased man. As if challenging everybody he starts a business with John and gradually makes friends with him, revealing to the young American the hidden meanings of the ancient ritual dances of the adherents of Dionysos.
Madame Hortense, a former courtesan, falls in love with the passionate Zorba and he returns her feelings. The vindictive and jealous Manolios provokes renewed hostility toward John and Marina. Marina dies, trampled by an angry mob.
Young friends of Manolios threaten John, but Zorba comes to his rescue.
Hortense dies of tuberculosis.
Zorba seeks consolation for his grief by dancing. He and John manage to bring the people together, uniting them through the vital energy of the dance. The message Zorba gives to John through his dance is that life must go on and people should always hope for a better future. Syrtaki, a Greek folk dance, reflects the triumphant energy of this people, a strong ancient nation whose energy, personified by Zorba, cannot be destroyed – it makes the world live on.
