Marianna Venekei’s popular choreography, inspired by Tennessee Williams’ internationally renowned play and set to original music by László Dés, will return to the stage on 1 June 2025, following previously announced sold-out performances. Presented by the Hungarian National Ballet, A Streetcar Named Desire – featuring a double cast with Lea Földi and Jessica Carulla Leon, Iurii Kekalo and Raffaello Barbieri, as well as Anna Krupp and Katerina Taraszova in the leading roles – returns to the company’s repertoire after three years.
The story of Blanche DuBois’s downfall, marked by power struggles, sensual passion, and family tragedy, has moved audiences deeply for nearly 80 years. Arriving in the working-class neighborhood of sultry 1940s New Orleans, the fragile Blanche, representing the declining Southern aristocracy with all its refinement and delusions, immediately clashes with her brother-in-law Stanley, a rough, hot-tempered, and pragmatic man. From the very first moment, the tension between them simmers toward an inevitable tragedy. Marianna Venekei and László Dés’s ballet, developed over seven years, vividly portrays the characters and conflicts of Tennessee Williams’s play through the language of jazz and dance. Since its premiere in 2017, it has enjoyed unbroken popularity in the repertoire of the Hungarian National Ballet.
The double-cast production features artists who, for the most part, have inhabited their characters since the ballet’s early days. Blanche is portrayed by semi-soloist Lea Földi and soloist Jessica Carulla Leon, while Stella is danced by corps de ballet members Anna Krupp and Katerina Taraszova. In the role of Stanley, soloist Iurii Kekalo alternates with corps de ballet member Raffaello Barbieri, who has proven himself in numerous character roles in recent seasons.
A Streetcar Named Desire is performed four times this season at the OPERA's Eiffel Art Studios: on 30 May 30, twice on 31 May (matinée and evening), and on 1 June 2025.
Photo by Attila Nagy
