On Wednesday, August 29, 2026, at 3:00 PM, a unique evening of one-act ballets "4 Legends - Gala" will take place on the stage of the National Opera of Ukraine (Volodymyrska St., 50), where you will see choreography by four world masters: William Forsythe, John Neumeier, Hans van Manen, and Alexei Ratmansky. This is not just a concert, but a true event for those who want to immerse themselves in the modern ballet avant-garde, as for the first time in Ukraine, the works of the iconic American reformer William Forsythe, who changed the perception of classical dance, will be showcased. The evening lasts two hours (until 5:00 PM) and consists of three parts, making it easy for even beginners to grasp the complex choreography.
About the Event
This is an evening of one-act ballets that combines classical lexicon and modernist deconstruction, performed without words, so body language and music are the main carriers of the plot. The program includes premieres of two pieces by William Forsythe — "Bach Duet" and "Slingerland Duet", as well as already known works to the audience: "Spring and Autumn" by John Neumeier, "5 Tangos" by Hans van Manen, and "War Elegy" by Alexei Ratmansky. The evening is part of the 158th theatrical season of the National Opera and is one of its final chords, adding special significance to it.
Plot and Mood
The story of each piece unfolds through emotions and musical lines: from the philosophical deconstruction of the body in space in "Bach Duet" to the passionate tangos of Piazzolla and the war elegy set to the music of Sylvestrov. The mood of the evening is diverse: you will feel the intellectual complexity in Forsythe's pieces, lyrical melancholy in Neumeier's work, dramatic energy in van Manen's tango, and deep Ukrainian classics in Ratmansky's elegy. Key scenes include:
- Forsythe's duets, where dancers deconstruct the notion of body position.
- Four couples in "5 Tangos", conveying a passionate love story.
- Variations of women and men in "War Elegy" with solo piano.
Production
Leading soloists of the National Opera ballet will take the stage: Ilona Kravchenko, Mykyta Sukhorukov, Yuliya Kulyk, Yevhen Lohvynenko, Anastasiya Shevchenko, Yan Vanya, Oleksandra Panchenko, and others. Forsythe's choreography on the Ukrainian stage is embodied by Oleg Klymyuk — a graduate of the Kyiv Choreographic School, who worked directly with Forsythe and was involved in the staging of these pieces in Germany. The conductor of the evening is Serhiy Holubnychy, and in "War Elegy", the solo piano is performed by Oksana Horobiievska. The visual style of the program is a balance between classical purity and modernist experimentalism, making each piece a self-sufficient artistic world.
How to Get There, Duration, and Intermissions
The theater is located in the center of Kyiv at Volodymyrska St., 50, the nearest metro stations are "Teatralna" or "Khreshchatyk", from which you can walk to the building in 5-7 minutes. The evening lasts exactly two hours (from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM) and has two intermissions between the three parts, allowing for rest and discussion of the pieces. The audience is welcomed 30-40 minutes before the start, so I recommend arriving at 2:30 PM to secure a seat and explore the theater's interior without rush.
Prices and Who It's For
Tickets for gala concerts at the National Opera usually start from a few hundred hryvnias, while the most expensive seats in the center of the parterre can reach thousands of hryvnias, depending on the category. This evening is suitable for a date if you want to immerse together in high art, for friends interested in modern dance, or for families if you have dancer children eager to see a professional performance. It won't be boring here, as each part is a separate emotional wave, and the variety of choreographic styles captivates from the first seconds.
Tips for the Audience
Come in theater attire: although the dress code is not strict, for the gala concert, it is better to choose an elegant but not overly formal style to feel the atmosphere of the event. During intermissions, you can stroll through the foyer, discuss the pieces with neighbors, or buy coffee at the theater's buffet. If you are new to ballet, do not be afraid of complex choreography — the music and emotions of the dancers will help you understand the essence of each piece, and subtitles are not needed as this is a dance without words.
Would you prefer the daytime show at 3:00 PM for a calm mood and the opportunity to go home later, or would you like the evening option (if available) with dinner after the theater?
