Cleopatra
Désirée Lubowska posed in an Egyptian-inspired costume for a stage interpretation of Cleopatra VII Philopator, photographed in a stylized theatrical portrait during the early 20th century.
QUICK F A C T S
- Some Historical Cleopatra Ballets:
✦ Antony et Cléopâtre, Jean-Georges Noverre — 1765
✦ Antony et Cléopâtre, Jean-Pierre Aumer — 1808
✦ Une Nuit d’Égypte, Mikhail Fokine — 1908
✦ Cléopâtre, Michel Fokine / Ballets Russes — 1909
✦ One More Gaudy Night, Martha Graham — 1961
✦ Cleopatra, Ben Stevenson — 2000
✦ Cleopatra, David Nixon — 2011
✦ Cleopatra, Tetsuya Kumakawa — 2017
✦ Cleopatra, Donna Marisa & Hannah Bontrager — 2019
✦ Cleopatra: Queen of Kings, Roger Creel — 2019
Michel Fokine as Amoun and Vera Fokina as Ta-Hor in Cléopâtre at the Royal Swedish Opera in 1913, posed in richly stylized Egyptian-inspired costumes for the Ballets Russes-era production.
S U M M A R Y
For centuries, Cleopatra VII Philopator has fascinated artists, writers, filmmakers, and choreographers around the world. Her story combines romance, political power, luxury, tragedy, and mystery, making her a perfect subject for dramatic ballet productions. Ballet versions of Cleopatra often focus less on strict historical accuracy and more on the legendary image of Cleopatra as a powerful and unforgettable queen. Over time, choreographers reimagined her story through many different artistic styles, from grand classical productions to modern psychological interpretations.
Lydia Lopokova and Theodore Kosloff in Egyptian-inspired costumes for an early 20th-century theatrical production, posed beneath flowing fabric in a romantic studio photograph influenced by the exotic style of the Ballets Russes era.
Sarah Bernhardt as Cleopatra VII Philopator in 1891, photographed in an elaborate theatrical costume that reflects the fascination with Cleopatra’s legendary beauty, drama, and exotic imagery during the Belle Époque era.
Some of the earliest Cleopatra ballets appeared as far back as the 1700s and early 1800s, showing that her story has been part of ballet history for centuries. However, one of the most famous interpretations arrived in 1909 with Cléopâtre for the Ballets Russes. Choreographed by Michel Fokine and starring Ida Rubinstein, the ballet became legendary for its exotic costumes, dramatic poses, and richly colorful stage designs by Léon Bakst. The production helped define the glamorous and theatrical style of the Ballets Russes era.
Cleopatra continued inspiring choreographers throughout the 20th and 21st centuries because her story could constantly be reinvented. Some ballets emphasized romance and spectacle, while others explored ambition, seduction, or emotional tragedy. Modern choreographers such as Martha Graham, Ben Stevenson, and David Nixon all created their own interpretations of the Egyptian queen. Together, these productions show how Cleopatra has remained one of ballet’s most enduring and visually powerful historical figures.
Lydia Sokolova in an Egyptian-inspired Ballets Russes-era costume, photographed in 1916 in a stylized pose dedicated to Sergei Diaghilev during the height of the Ballets Russes period.
E N C O R E
✦ On Today’s Stage
Cleopatra VII Philopator continues to inspire ballet productions around the world, from lavish historical spectacles to modern reinterpretations exploring power, beauty, and tragedy.
✦ Iconic Interpreters
Famous artists associated with Cleopatra ballets include Ida Rubinstein, whose performance in Cléopâtre became legendary, along with visionary creators such as Michel Fokine, Léon Bakst, and later choreographers like Martha Graham and Ben Stevenson.
✦ Legacy
For more than two centuries, Cleopatra has remained one of ballet’s most enduring historical figures, inspiring productions filled with drama, exotic fantasy, romance, and powerful theatrical imagery.