Spartacus

Lucas Jervies – Jérôme Kaplan – Aram Khachaturian
15 performances
1.10.2021 – 11.11.2021
Ballets
Main Stage
Total duration 2 h 35 min
Total duration 2 h 35 min
2 intermissions (25 min)
15 performances
1.10.2021 – 11.11.2021
Ballets
Main Stage
tickets
17-129 €

Fight for your love

Spartacus is a gladiator who leads the slave uprising against the Roman Republic. The ballet tells the tale of the man, his passionate love, and his longing for freedom. Spartacus shows the dancers of the Finnish National Ballet at their strongest and most athletic.

Spartacus is based on the true story of a Thracian slave who becomes a top gladiator and rebel leader. Battle scenes radiating strong energy are interwoven with the love story of Spartacus and his beautiful, enslaved wife Flavia and the depiction of the loyal friendship of Spartacus and Hermes.

Suggested age guidance 12+. 

Please note that there is a scene in the third act including flashing lights.

Your safety is important to us

Face masks are mandatory throughout your visit. We kindly ask you to arrive at the performance in good time. At the end of the performance, we may ask the audience to exit the auditorium in stages. This might take additional 5 to 15 minutes. Thank you for your patience!

Read more about our safety recommendations here.

Tickets & Performances

2 h 35 min
2 intermissions (25 min)
15 performances
1.10.2021 – 11.11.2021
Ballets
Main Stage
tickets
17-129 €
Fri 1.10.2021
at 19:00
Cast
Sat 2.10.2021
at 14:00
Cast
Wed 6.10.2021
at 19:00
Cast
Fri 8.10.2021
at 19:00
Cast
Sat 9.10.2021
at 19:00
Cast
Tue 12.10.2021
at 19:00
Cast
Thu 14.10.2021
at 19:00
Cast
Sat 16.10.2021
at 19:00
Cast
Wed 20.10.2021
at 19:00
Cast
Sat 23.10.2021
at 14:00
Cast
Fri 29.10.2021
at 19:00
Cast
Tue 2.11.2021
at 19:00
Cast
Thu 4.11.2021
at 19:00
Cast
Fri 5.11.2021
at 19:00
Cast
Thu 11.11.2021
at 19:00
Cast

A powerful new choreography and visuality meet rousing music and a popular story

Spartacus’s story has found its way to countless stages and even the legendary film starring Kirk Douglas. After the world premiere of the ballet composed by Aram Khachaturian took place in Leningrad (today’s St. Petesburg) in 1956, Spartacus attracted international attention for its impactful choreography and detailed character depiction. Now, Lucas Jervies’s choreography dusts off the ballet renowned for its rousing music, returning it to glory.

Jérôme Kaplan’s stunning visuality presents ancient Rome through a contemporary filter. The striking sets have been inspired by the Brutalist architecture of North Korea, the Soviet Union, Nazi Germany, and DDR – juxtaposed with Roman baths that reminds almost the world of Swan Lake.

Watch trailer

Synopsis

Spartacus and his beautiful wife Flavia from Thrace have been captured by the Roman consul Crassus during war. Spartacus and his friend Hermes are sold to the gladiator trainer Batiatus who plans to make them top fighters. Flavia ends up as a slave in Crassus’s house. When Spartacus is forced to kill Hermes in the arena, he is horrified by his deed and incites his fellow captives to rebellion.

The rebels storm Crassus’s house to rescue Flavia. Instead of killing Crassus, Spartacus gives him mercy. The rebels rejoice over Flavia’s freedom, but Crassus and his troops are already plotting their revenge. Soon enough, despite their long and courageous fight, the Romans overpower the rebels and sentence them to death by crucifixion. Flavia, who has escaped the clutches of Rome, vows that Spartacus’s memory will live forever.

The full synopsis and other background information will be available in the programme leaflet.

Gallery

Watch Spartacus online

Watch the performance for free on Stage24

Recording of Spartacus performed by the Finnish National Ballet on 8 and 12 October 2021 is now available on Stage24 in Europe and Russia until 7 April 2022. Production: HS Live and Finnish National Opera and Ballet 2021.

Go to Stage24

“It’s important to remember that there’s a hero in every one of us. Spartacus is the kind of leader we should all support – he is neither egotistic nor a megalomaniac only looking out for himself.”

– Lucas Jervies, choreographer

#Spartacus #FNBspartacus

“ Spartacus is a triumph of emotion and pure physicality.”

– Herald Sun

”Spartacus isn’t a brute. He is a leader, carer and lover.”

– Lucas Jervies, choreographer

Creative team

Choreography
Lucas Jervies
Fight director
Nigel Poulton
Music
Aram Hatsaturjan
Sets, costumes
Jérôme Kaplan
Dramaturge
Imara Savage
Hide Show

Cast

Hide Show

Listen to Spartacus

Spartacus training program

Get ready for battle with the dancers

WATCH VIDEOS AND TRY SPARTACUS TRAINING PROGRAM

Costumes and parts of scenery are courtesy of The Australian Ballet.

Video: The Australian Ballet

Complete the experience with refreshments

What can we get you?

Choose your favourite refreshments from this season’s tasty menu. You can easily add refreshments to your shopping basket while selecting tickets in our online store.

The services of the Opera Restaurant are available before performances and during the interval. Order beforehand and avoid the queues.

Please note that we cannot guarantee a specific table for orders made via the online store. We may also seat several parties at the same table. You may be assigned a bar height table for enjoying refreshments standing up.

Order refreshments Read more

Stay and enjoy

Your 20% discount for Radisson Blu Hotels

Complete your experience by staying the night at a hotel. As a customer of the Finnish National Opera and Ballet, you can enjoy the hospitality of Helsinki’s Radisson Blu Hotels at a special rate.

This treat-yourself-offer includes accommodation for two in the hotel of your choice in Helsinki, two glasses of sparkling wine upon arrival, and the hotel’s delicious Super Breakfast.

Explore the stylish hotels and book your favourite.

Services