PROJECT DETAILS
CHOREOGRAPHER: Roman Mykyta
COMPOSER: Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
PREMIERE: January 28, 2023 | Momentum, Prince George’s Community College Arts Center, Largo, MD | Performed by The Ballet Theatre of Maryland
CAST: 30 Women, 5 Men
RUN TIME: 19 minutes
SYNOPSIS:
Inspired by one of Ukraine’s oldest heroic legends, Kotyhoroshko follows the extraordinary journey of a young hero born through magic and endowed with exceptional strength. Carrying his mace and guided by courage, wisdom, and goodness, he sets out to rescue a captive princess from an ancient serpent.
Blending classical ballet with Ukrainian folklore, the work celebrates bravery, compassion, and the triumph of good over evil. Through its heroic scale and mythic imagery, Kotyhoroshko honors a world in which human courage is deeply connected to the natural forces of the land.
THE LEGEND OF KOTYHOROSHKO
Kotyhoroshko is one of the great heroes of Ukrainian folklore, a figure associated with miraculous birth, extraordinary strength, and moral courage. Like many epic heroes, he journeys into danger not for glory, but to restore justice and protect the innocent.
BACKGROUND & INSPIRATION
A HEROIC STAGE WORLD
This ballet approaches the legend through a large-scale theatrical lens, using classical ballet structure, dramatic ensemble scenes, and mythic imagery to create a world of adventure. The story becomes less a literal folktale than a living stage epic.
NATURE AND MORAL FORCE
The hero’s companions are connected to mountains, forests, and rivers, reflecting the deep relationship between Ukrainian folklore and the natural world. Their presence suggests that courage is not separate from the land, but strengthened by it.