This summer we will once again welcome the Slovene National Theatre Maribor to Ljubljana, this time with the ballet Zorba the Greek. The Križanke Summer Theatre will host a performance of the ballet on 27 June at 9.00 pm as part of the 72nd Ljubljana Festival. Today, 12 April, sees the premiere performance of the ballet at the Slovene National Theatre in Maribor, the company’s home theatre.

The ballet adaptation of Zorba the Greek, in two acts and 22 scenes, was given its world premiere at the Verona Arena on 6 August 1988. It has since been performed in more than 35 countries and seen by a total audience of more than three million. The dramatic ballet is based on the novel The Life and Times of Alexis Zorbas by Nikos Kazantzakis. The classic film version of Zorba the Greek, directed by Michael Cacoyannis, was released in 1964. The film received seven Academy Award nominations and took home three Oscars.

Ballet Zorba the Greek

With its unique lessons about life and love, the ballet will be presented in a fresh new guise and with a brand-new élan, thanks to a revised choreography by the celebrated Lorca Massine, the son of the legendary choreographer and ballet dancer Léonide Massine. Lorca Massine has choreographed more than 50 ballets and musical works and is also known for bringing works choreographed by his father to the contemporary stage. In 2005 three ballets by Léonide Massine became part of the repertoire of the Bolshoi Ballet.

You are cordially invited to join us at the 72nd Ljubljana Festival to enjoy this unique ballet spectacle with us!