Les Liaisons Dangereuses

Ballet in two acts after the novel Les liaisons dangereuses by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos

Music: Arturs Maskats
Libretto: Arturs Maskats i Krzysztof Pastor
By the concent of Musica Baltica Ltd.

Performers: Soloists, coryphées, ballet group, orchestra and vocal ensemble of Opera Nova in Bydgoszcz

Since the publication of the novel "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" in 1782, it has been accompanied by an aura of scandal. Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, using the image of the aristocracy of eighteenth-century France as the background of the events, exposed the baseness of the human soul, talking about revenge, lust and manipulation. It is a story in which men are cynical and impertinent, women are cruel and calculating each move, and there is no room for love, tenderness nor innocence. 

The history of film adaptations of this title is truly an interesting phenomena. The most popular one was Stephen Frears' film from 1988, with Glenn Close, John Malkovich and Michelle Pfeiffer. 

Leading Polish choreographer Krzysztof Pastor and Latvian composer Arturs Maskats met in Riga, Latvia. The idea for the ballet "Dangerous Liaisons", inspired by the novel and film, was born from conversations and meetings. The composer did not hide the fact that the topic was extremely fascinating. 

'I'm glad that I managed to introduce vocals to ballet music. I composed an aria for a countertenor and a short interlude for the vocal ensemble. I am not trying to imitate the music from the era in which Choderlos de Laclos wrote the novel,' said Arturs Maskats. 'But I must admit that baroque and classical forms, especially dances, were an inspiration for me,' the composer added.

The world premiere took place in Riga, then the choreography was performed by the National Theater in Ostrava, the Poznań Opera House, and on 11 November 2023 Opera Nova Bydgoszcz.