La Cathédrale Engloutie

Photo: Sven Ulsa

Choreographer: Jiří Kylián

The undertone of this ballet is the contrast residing in every human being; the opposition between who one is and who one likes to be; what qualities and talents one has and what one would like to have.

Claude Debussy's composition is inspired by a classical parable revolving around sin and spirituality, which originated in Breton. In this legend, the people had built a cathedral on the sea as a symbol of the almighty power of God. However, the people did not obey the laws of the church and led a godless life. As a result of this behavior, the cathedral disappeared under the sea. Ever since, the legend goes that church bells can still be heard ringing below the waters, and that sometimes, at sunrise, the cathedral reappears to some of the chosen ones.

Jiří Kylián rearranged this composition and legend. He revealed that the battle between self-imposed laws and order and, at the same time, resistance against these laws, is one of the most complex facets of the human character. It’s a battle that never ends.