Croatian National Theatre – HNK Ivana pl. Zajca Rijeka
Sergei Prokofiev – Leo Mujić: Cinderella

Choreographer: Leo Mujić
Conductor: Ayrton Desimpelaere 
Production: Croatian National Theatre – HNK Ivana pl. Zajca Rijeka
RTV Slovenija Symphony Orchestra
 

Running time: 70 minutes, without an interval

Countless ballet versions of Cinderella have been created over the years. Records show that productions were staged as early as 1813 in Vienna and 1822 in London. A common feature of most productions is Prokofiev’s score, composed in the early 1940s and premiered in 1945 at the Bolshoi Theatre in a production choreographed by Rostislav Zakharov. Prokofiev began composing the score for Cinderella in 1941. However, the Second World War and his work on the opera War and Peace prevented him from completing the orchestration until 1944.
Prokofiev explained: “I see Cinderella not only as a fairy-tale character but also as a real person, feeling, experiencing and moving among us. What I wished to express above all in the music of Cinderella was the poetic love of Cinderella and the Prince, the birth and flowering of that love, the obstacles in its path and, finally, the fulfilment of the dream.”

A treasured ballet that has captivated generations of spectators, Cinderella has inspired numerous productions around the world. For the Croatian National Ballet in Rijeka, Leo Mujić has created a production for all ages in his distinctive neoclassical style, setting the story in the Mediterranean.

He has retained the familiar tale of a girl whose life of humiliation and hardship does not rob her of her kindness, courage or faith in a better future. At the same time, he offers a more contemporary perspective on the characters and their relationships. Particular attention is paid to the protagonists’ psychological depth and the heroine’s emotional development – portraying her not merely as a passive dreamer, but as a strong and resolute person.
True to Mujić’s signature style, the production features refined neoclassical choreography. Classical ballet technique blends with elements of contemporary dance to create a dynamic and visually engaging theatrical language. The choreography emphasises the beauty of movement and makes compelling use of wordless storytelling. Group scenes play an important role, lending the production grandeur and theatrical scale.

Leo Mujić

is one of the leading contemporary choreographers in South-Eastern Europe. Born in Belgrade in 1975, he trained in ballet in his hometown before continuing his studies at the prestigious École-Atelier Rudra Béjart in Lausanne. Before establishing himself as a choreographer, he worked as a professional dancer, collaborating with some of the biggest names in contemporary dance. He performed in productions by Maurice Béjart, Jiří Kylián and William Forsythe, immersing himself in a variety of dance aesthetics and creative approaches. These experiences have had a significant influence on the development of his distinctive choreographic style.
He is best known for his neoclassical ballets, which combine the technical demands of classical ballet with the expressiveness of contemporary dance. His choreographic works are often based on well-known literary works, which he adapts for the stage, transforming them into compelling and emotionally powerful stories. Among his most acclaimed works are the ballets Anna Karenina, The Great Gatsby, Hamlet, Pride and Prejudice and The Glembays. His productions explore psychologically complex characters, interpersonal relationships and universal themes of love, power, passion and destiny. He has created choreographies for ballet ensembles in Zagreb, Ljubljana, Berlin, Riga, Sofia and other cultural centres. Critics have praised his aesthetic sophistication, clear narrative style and ability to make ballet accessible to wider audiences.