December Rain

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

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 by the illness that afflicted 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 theaters 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 Theater features a freshly developed second act, which brings under heightened attention Chopin’s interior world.

I find all compositions by 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