La Fille mal Gardée | Estonian National Opera

SEB presents

A comic ballet in two acts
World premiere on July 1, 1789 in Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux
Premiere in the Estonian National opera on March 26, 2026

NB! Estonia 120 events:

After the performances on 19 and 24 September, there will be a meeting with the dancers in the auditorium. The conversation will be moderated by Artistic Director of the Estonian National Ballet Linnar Looris.
See all events taking place as part of Estonia 120 HERE.

Recommended age: 7+
Duration: 2 h 5 min, one intermission

Choreographer and Stage Director: Marc Ribaud (Stuttgart Ballet)
Composer: Ferdinand Hérold (France)
Arranged by John Lanchbery (England/Australia)
Music Director and Conductor: Lauri Sirp
Conductors: Mikk Murdvee, Andres Kaljuste
Set Designer: Richard Roberts (Australia)
Costume Designer: Lexi De Silva (Australia)
Lighting: Rasmus Rembel

One of the oldest ballets in the classical ballet repertoire, “La fille mal gardée” originally premiered in 1789 in Bordeaux, France, and has never been out of fashion since. This colourful update of the ballet by Marc Ribaud set in 1950’s rural South of France is stylish, funny and tender, and will put a spring in your step and a smile on your face.

When country belle Lise falls in love with farm lad Colas, she upsets her overbearing Mother, the widow Simone. Widow Simone has her own ideas about who her daughter should marry. Unfortunately, the left-footed Alain, son of pompous and wealthy vineyard owner Thomas, is not at all to Lise’s liking. A row of mischievous events follow that bring Lise out of Alain’s clutches and the apron strings of Simone, and into the arms of her lover Colas.

With an engaging story, wonderful wit and pulsating passion, Marc Ribaud’s version remains froma firm favourite for all the family.

Cast:

Lise: Laura Maya, Marta Navasardyan, Karina Laura Leškin, Ami Morita, Anna Roberta
Colas: Joel Calstar - Fisher, Ali Urata, Liam Strickland, Sacha Barber, Oscar Pouchoulin
Lesk Simone: William Newton, Marcus Nilson, Nikos Gkentsef, Oscar Pouchoulin, Liam Strickland
Alain: Antonio Gallo, Yuki Nonaka, Hiroto Nakabayashi, Hidetora Tabe
Thomas: Oscar Pouchoulin, William Newton, Marcus Nilson, Benjamin Pierce, Jamie Bögemann, Connor Williams
Notary: Vitali Nikolajev, Sacha Barber, Benjamin Pierce, Liam Strickland, Oscar Pouchoulin
Colas´ friends women: Ketlin Oja, Ellinor Piirimäe, Polina Sosimova, Marta Navasardyan, Gabriella Vidano, Alice Pelizza, Karina Laura Leškin, Abigail Payne, Kim Jana Hügi, Caroline Hamilton, Marjana Fazullina, Anne - Sophie Marjeram
Colas´ friends men: Ali Urata, Oscar Pouchoulin, Liam Strickland, Marcus Nilson, Sacha Barber, Connor Williams, Benjamin Pierce, Hidetora Tabe, Rasmus Ahlgren, Nikos Gkentsef, Jamie Bögemann, Ciro Lieto
Estonian National Ballet, Tallinn Music and Ballet School