"Kratt" returns

Ballet "Kratt" (the Goblin) by Eduard Tubin (choreographed by Marina Kesler) returns to the stage of Estonian National Opera. The upcoming performances will introduce new dancers into the main roles - William Newton, Marcus Nilson, Ketlin Oja and Anna Roberta. 

Ballet "GO" on tour in China

Ballet "GO - a Game for Two" travels to China next week for guest performances at major cities Shanghai, Dalian and Hangzhou. "GO" is an original ballet staged by Teet Kask, based on the music of Lepo Sumera that had its premiere in 2014.

"Kratt" goes to Russia and Finland


Ballet "Kratt" (choreographed by Marina Kesler) lights up the stage of Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg on October 23th and Alexander Theatre in Helsinki on November 21-22, 2017. The guest performances coincide with the release of the DVD of the production. DVD was produced by Estonian Public Broadcasting and directed by a seasoned TV director Ruti Murusalu who specializes in capturing dance on film. 

Premieré of "Nocturne" today


The experimental short-ballet "Nocturne", inspired by nocturnal creatures and music by Frédéric Chopin will be performed tonight for the first time at the stage of Estonian National Opera in Tallinn.

"Nocturne" dress rehearsal today


Short ballet "Nocturne" choreographed by Tõnu Veiler, designed by Madis Nurms will premieré on May 8th at the Estonian National Opera. The scenography uses abstract video-visuals that react to the impulses from the music. So every time there is a change in the music of Chopin, the stage visuals will slightly alter.

Sneak peak at the "Nocturne" costumes

Here's an opportunity to peek into the workshops and get a glimpse of some of the costumes that are prepared for short-ballet "Nocturne".

The costumes are made using laser cutting technology. A laser is used to cut abstract patterns into different materials. All the fabrics that are picked for the ballet play with light - are either sheer, luminous or reflective. The design uses them together with the cutting technology and directional theatre lights to create an unique visual effect and to highlight the dancers movements in the darkness.


New short ballet "Nocturne"

A short ballet "Nocturne" choreographed by Tõnu Veiler, designed by Madis Nurms will premieré on May 8th at the Estonian National Opera.

The music of the ballet is by Frédéric Chopin who composed his nocturnes - 21 pieces for solo piano - between 1827 and 1846. They are generally considered among the finest short solo works for the instrument and hold an important place in contemporary concert repertoire.

"Kratt" guest performances IN Tartu

Today ballet "Kratt" (The Goblin) by Eduard Tubin has two long anticipated guest performances at Vanemuine Theatre, Tartu.

The choreographer of the piece is Marina Kesler, music director Vello Pähn, set designer Madis Nurms, costume designer Gerly Tinn, lights by Karmen Tellisaar and video by Argo Valdmaa.

"Kratt" at the Helikon Opera



This Sunday, October 16th, ballet "Kratt" (The Goblin) by Eduard Tubin will be performed at the Helikon Opera. Helikon Opera is a Russian opera company based in Moscow, specializing in unconventional productions. The company was founded by stage director Dmitry Bertman and gave its first performance in 1990.

"Kratt" comes back to life



As of September "Kratt" (the Goblin) is back on the stage of Estonian National Opera. "Kratt" holds a special importance for the Estonians since it is based on national folklore and is also the first ballet with a score by an Estonian composer, Eduard Tubin.

Premiere of Undine today



Ballet "Undine" by Marina Kesler premieres today in the Estonian National Opera.  Ballet celebrates the 70th anniversary of Tallinn Ballet School and in the leading roles are this year's graduates Marita Weinrank and Marjana Fazullina alongside with Jevgeni Grib, soloist of Estonian National Ballet.


ON THE STAGE: UNDINE


 "Undine" by Marina Kesler had it's first rehearsal on the stage of Estonian National Opera today.  See the design HERE >>

Undine in Estonian National Opera

An original ballet Undine by Marina Kesler premieres May 29th in the Estonian National Opera. 

It is loosely based on the 1939 play “Ondine” by French dramatist Jean Giradoux and revolves around soulless water nymphs undines. Though inspired by mythical concept, the ballet explores day-to-day themes of faithfulness, jealousy and rage. 

In the main roles are soloists of Estonian National Ballet and Tallinn Ballet School.

Undine, also spelled Ondine, is a mythological figure of European tradition, a female water nymph who becomes human when she falls in love with a man but is doomed to die if he is unfaithful to her. 

Undine was first mentioned in the writings of the Swiss author Paracelsus, who put forth his theory that there are spirits called “undines” who inhabit the element of water.  The word is from the Latin unda, meaning “wave” or “water.”

See the design HERE >>














Premiere of "Kratt" tonight



The ballet "Kratt" will open tonight at the Estonian National Opera. 
The set design combines stories from Estonian folklore with contemporary themes and materials. The two acts of the ballet are supported by two main figures in the set design - a sleek factory, constructed of aluminium and sheer plastic, and wooden but soulless tree. Geometrical shapes used in the design elements are inspired by embroidery patterns.

Video teaser of ballet "Kratt"

Production preview video of ballet "Kratt" (Goblin) at the Estonian National opera. Some parts of the set design will make their debut at the end of this video.


Parts of "Kratt" on the stage for the first time

Ballet Kratt

“The Goblin” is the first Estonian ballet as well as Eduard Tubin’s first work for a music theatre. The work is based on a mythical character from Estonian folklore, the Goblin, whose sole purpose is to serve his greedy master, the Farmer, in obtaining riches. In Marina Kesler’s rendition, the story crosses the borders of one nation’s folklore: in a contemporary money-hungry world the Goblin is like a voice in people’s head, finding excuses why there is never enough money.


From the workshops of Kratt

The preparations of ballet "Kratt" ("The Goblin") are well on their way in the Workshops of Estonian National Opera. The ballet is based on Estonian folklore, the composer of the piece is Eduard Tubin, choreographer Marina Kesler, stage designer Madis Nurms, costume designer Gerly Tinn, lights by Karmen Tellisaar and video by Argo Valdmaa.

See the design HERE >>


"Kratt" at the Estonian National Opera


In September 2015 a new production on "Kratt" ("The Goblin") - a ballet by Estonian composer Eduard Tubin will be staged at the Estonian National Opera. The choreographer of the production will be Marina Kesler, set designer Madis Nurms.

See the design HERE >>


First fittings of "GO - a play for two"

Today the first costume fittings of the ballet "GO - a play for two" took place at Theatre Vanemuine, Tartu. "GO" is an original ballet staged by Teet Kask, based on the music by Lepo Sumera. 


Design for ballet "GO" transferred

Today the set and costume designs for an upcoming dance performance "GO - a Game for Two" were transferred to Theatre Vanemuine, Tartu. "GO" is an original ballet staged by Teet Kask, based on the music by Lepo Sumera. 

The fabrics for the ballet are mostly ordered from Germany, though some of the materials have been found in vintage shops and some are fabric remnants rescued from large textile stores. The central colour used is vibrant orange - the color of the beginning and end - hue of the sunrise and sunset.

The design is quite minimal and uses geometric shapes, drawing inspiration from the works of the Italian Futurists and Soviet Constructivists in the beginning of the 20th century.


“GO” will have it's premiere on October 25th 2014.


See more sketches for the ballet HERE >>



Two dance numbers at the Palmse Manor Music


The Grand Adagio from P. I. Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake" and ballet from G.Verdi's "Aida" were performed on the lake of the Palmse Manor during the concert by Eesti Kontsert in front of the audience of over 1000 persons.

Premiere of "Ohlala..." tomorrow

Original ballet "Ohlala...Ça c’est passé comme ça" by Tõnu Veiler will have it's premieré tomorrow, April 2nd 2012.

Underwater Kingdom returns

On June 4th the ballet divertissement "Underwater Kingdom" will have its second performance on the stage of Russian Theatre, Tallinn.

Three jellyfish from the ballet