Songs of the Trapeze / A Lost Ballet Reimagined

Why did Prokofiev forbid his Quintet op. 39 from being performed as a ballet? How did a bohemian circus tale transform into a chamber music piece? And what does it all have to do with a mystical dancer-choreographer? Songs of the Trapeze is more than a concert: it’s a captivating fusion of music and theatre that breathes life into the story of Prokofiev’s lost ballet. Composer-singer Georgi Sztojanov weaves his own songs—rooted in Rimbaud’s poetry—into the ballet’s original movements, while the mesmerizing choreography and humorous theatre elements bridge the music and the visual.
The Ensemble Trapèze presents not just a chamber music concert but a deeply researched and uniquely contemporary interpretation of Prokofiev’s work. Their performance blends elements of chamber music, vocal music, and dance, offering an engaging exploration of the composer’s artistry. The Transparent Sound Festival celebrates the meeting of diverse artistic events, where each program adds its own unique hue to the festival’s vibrant spectrum. Join us for the opening concert in the Solti Hall and experience the magic of this colourful journey!

Pre-concert talk – which is open to the public with a ticket to the concert – between 6:00–6:45 PM Georgi Sztojanov – composer, singer, conductor and artistic director – will present the artistic concept in a dialogue with Samu Gryllus, composer and founding curator of the Festival, which is open to the public with a ticket to the concert.