Productions

A ballet in two acts, inspired by the life and music of Chopin

Composer Frédéric Chopin
Director, choreographer and set designer Kristina Paulin (Germany)
Costume designer Stephanie Bäuerle (Salzburg Landestheater)
Sound designer Davidson Jaconello (Canada)
Director’s assistant Silvia Azzoni (Hamburg Ballet)
Pianist Margus Riimaa
Vanemuine ballet company

Inspired by the biography of Frédéric Chopin, December Rain depicts the tragic romance between Chopin and George Sand, the acclaimed female author for whom a male pseudonym was the only way to succeed in the literary world of 19th century France.

The course of Chopin’s life was mostly shaped by his career and utter dedication to music, but also the sickness that ailed him in later years. Through these fragments emerges the primary, ever-recurring theme of his romantic relationship with George Sand.

A former dancer at Hamburg Ballet, Kristina Paulin is a young choreographer whose works have premiered in several German theatres as well as in Kazakhstan, Slovakia, the UK and Italy. She draws much of her inspiration from literary classics, biographies, fine arts and mythology. Paulin’s December Rain premiered in 2022 as part of the tripartite ballet evening 3x Chopin in Salzburg Landestheater under the directorship of Reginaldo Oliveira. The new production in Vanemuine Theatre features a freshly developed second act, which brings under heightened attention Chopin’s interior world.

I find all the music pieces from Chopin personal, delicate and fragile. When listening to his music, you can truly feel the presence of his soul, as he dedicated his whole life to his art.
– Kristina Paulin, director and choreographer