04 August 2018 (Sat), 14:00 Moscow theatre "New Opera" - Classical Ballet Swan Lake - P.Tchaikovsky (Ballet in three acts).The Kasatkina and Vasilyov State Classical Ballet Theatre (Moscow Classical Ballet)
Running time: 2 hours 30 minutes
The performance has 1 intermission
Schedule for Swan Lake - P.Tchaikovsky (Ballet in three acts).The Kasatkina and Vasilyov State Classical Ballet Theatre (Moscow Classical Ballet) 2022
Composer: Peter Tchaikovsky Choreography: Natalia Kasatkina and Vladimir Vasilev Choreography: Marius Petipa Choreography: Alexander Gorsky
Orchestra: Symphony Orchestra of the "New Opera" Theatre
Classical Ballet in 2 act
The Kasatkina and Vasilyov State Academic Classical Ballet Theatre (Moscow Classical Ballet)
Set Designer Tim Goodchild
Costume Designer Kim Baker
"Swan Lake"
It is difficult to understand these days how it could have happened that the first show of the “Lake” in 1877, in Moscow’s Bolshoi, was a flop, and that it took many years for the ballet to achieve its worldwide cult status. The composer, Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky, never lived to see the ultimate success of his creation.
The story begins in 1875, when Bolshoi commissions a ballet score from the young but already famous composer. It was not yet customary practice –despite Tchaikovsky fame and previous successes, which included four symphonies, the now famous Piano Concerto and “Eugene Onegin” opera, the Imperial Theatres of the time would normally employ the composers on Imperial payroll, such as Cesare Pugni, Ludwig Minkus, and Riccardo Drigo. Keeping that in mind, Tchaikovsky did not embark on the course of a revolution in the Russian ballet, and studied the classic ballet scores assiduously, planning to produce a score that would be in tune with the established tradition but at the same time would sound new and interesting. The task of composition occupied him from May 1875 to April 1876. The story was a knightly fairy tale, and historians still debate the literary origins –some opt for Heine, some for Musaeus, a German fairy-tale writer, some for Russian folklore fairy tales, some even for Pushkin.
The first show took place on February 20, 1877, and was a flop. The critics reviled the chief choreographer, Wentsel Reisinger, and were short on praise for Polina (Pelageya) Karpakova, the first interpreter of the main female part. The failure of the first show was detrimental for the immediate reputation of the ballet itself, and for quite some time nobody dared to stage it again.
The situation changed after Tchaikovsky’s death. In 1893, Mariinka decided to revive the “Swan Lake”. A new version of the libretto and the music was to be produced by Modest Tchaikovsky, the composer’s brother, Ivan Vsevolzhsky, the director of the Imperial Theatres himself, and by Riccardo Drigo. The latter used the original music as a source material for a completely new score. The choreography was supervised by Marius Petipa and his pupil Lev Ivanov. The tradition claims that while Petipa was the father of the unique choreography of the new ballet, its truly Russian singing character is there thanks to Ivanov. The lake and swan scenes, famous for their perfection, are undoubtedly his alone. It was Ivanov who came up with the idea of enchanted ladies with their criss-crossed arms and heads tilted to one side, which every spectator immediately recognized for birds that sit with their wings folded. The very magical world of the swan lake was created by Ivanov. Petipa’s are the scenes of courtly dances and festivities and their intricate lace of waltzes and various dances – Spanish, Hungarian, Polish. Petipa also created an antipode for Ivanov’s White Queen of Swans –its black twin Odile, and its beautiful black pas-de-deux of the second act.
It was this particular stage version that came to be admired as the pinnacle of Russian ballet. This production, as none other, was the perfect setting for many famous dancers to showcase their art. The Swan Lake is a unique and perfect creation, and despite the changing musical and dancing fashions, the performance of Odette and Odile parts is still considered a touchstone for the mettle of any serious dancer. The White Swan is truly a symbol of Russian Ballet, of its beauty and magnificence.
Synopsis
Act I
Guests are
gathering for a Christmas party at the Stahlbaum home. Among them are
Drosselmeyer, godfather to Marie and Fritz, the Stahlbaums’ children. He has
brought them a wonderful present: a funny Nutcracker.
The children wait with impatience for when at long last they will be shown
the Christmas tree and the presents. The long awaited moment comes: the
handsomely adorned Christmas tree is presented to the assembled company.
Drosselmeyer suddenly appears disguised as a magician: he is not recognized
by the children. Their unknown guest’s ability to make their toys come alive
delights the children but, as everything that is clad in mystery, it
involuntarily arouses their fear. In order to calm them down, Drosselmeyer takes
off his mask and the children now recognize their beloved godfather. Marie
wants to play with the wonderful dolls which have come alive, but they have
already been tidied away. To comfort Marie, Drosselmeyer gives her the
Nutcracker-Doll. Marie takes a great liking to this awkward, funny creature.
Marie’s brother Fritz, who is a great tease and very naughty,
accidentally breaks the doll. With great tenderness, Marie comforts her
injured Nutcracker and rocks it backwards and forwards. Fritz and his friends
now put on mouse masks and tease poor Marie.
The guests appear from
an adjoining room. After the final, ceremonial Grossvater dance, they all leave.
At night the room where the Christmas tree stands is bathed in moonlight. It
looks mysterious and full of magical secrets. Overcoming her fears, Marie has
come to the room to visit her ‘sick’ Nutcracker-Doll. She kisses the doll and
rocks it.
Drosselmeyer now appears. But instead of her kind godfather, he has turned
into a wizard. At a wave of his hand everything around them is transformed: the
walls of the room slide back, the Christmas tree starts to grow. And all the
toys come alive and grow together with the tree.
Suddenly, mice creep out from under the floorboards, led by the Mouse
King. The dolls are panic-stricken and thrown into confusion. The Nutcracker’s
quick wits and bravery save the day: lining up the lead soldiers, he boldly
leads them out to do battle with the mice forces.
However, the forces are unequal, the advantage is on the side of the evil
mice. The Nutcracker is left alone to face the Mouse King and his suite. Marie
is out of her mind with worry over the danger that threatens her doll. At this
very moment, Drosselmeyer hands her a lighted candle and she throws it at the
mice who scurry away helter-skelter.
The battle field empties. The only person left here is the Nutcracker who
lies without moving on the floor. Marie, together with the dolls, hurries to his
rescue. And now a miracle occurs…Before Marie stands a handsome youth, the
Nutcracker-Prince. He walks forward to meet her.
The walls of the
house disappear. Marie and her friends are standing under a star-studded sky, by
a fairy-tale Christmas tree. Snowflakes go round in a magical dance. Marie and
her Nutcracker-Prince, beckon, as if to a beautiful dream, to the twinkling star
at the top of the Christmas tree. They climb into a magic boat and set off for
the top of the tree. The dolls follow behind them.
Act II
Marie and Nutcracker-Prince are sailing in their magic boat through the
Christmas tree kingdom. There are their friends, the dolls with them. The
shining star is getting closer and closer. They are just about to reach the top
of the tree when they are suddenly attacked by the mice and the Mouse King who
have crept up behind them. Once again, the Nutcracker-Prince goes boldly into
battle. Horribly frightened, Marie and the dolls watch the fight. The
Nutcracker-Prince vanquishes the enemy. Joyous victory celebrations are
underway. The dolls dance, the candles burn even brighter, the Christmas tree
comes alive. The evil mice have been defeated. Marie and the Nutcracker-Prince
are radiant with happiness - they have reached the kingdom of their dreams! But
it appears all this was just a dream. Christmas Eve is over and with it all
wonderful reveries. Marie, still in the thrall of the fabulous dream, is sitting
at home by the Christmas tree, with the Nutcracker-Doll on her lap.
Synopsis
ACT I Scene one The terrace of castle is filled with joy and merriment - Prince Siegfried is celebrating his coming of age, his courtiers congratulate him while his mischievous jester entertains the assembles guests. The servants announce the arrival of his mother the queen, she presents her son with a crossbow for the hunt. The queen reminds her son that at tomorrow coming of age ball he will have to choose a bride. Night is fast approaching and the guests take leave, Siegfried is finally alone with his thoughts and premonitions of what the future may bring. In the twilight a flock of swans pass over and he rushes to the lake. Scene two At the lake in the heart of the forest, the swans having stepped ashore turn into beautiful young girls Siegfried about to draw his crossbow stops fascinated by their beauty. Odette the swan princess is startled by Siegfrieds presence, he assures her no harm will come to her. Odette tells him of her terrible plight. Tells him of her high birth and how she has fallen under the spell of be a swan and only in the hours of darkness to assume her human form. She tells him she is bound for eternity by the spell unless an unblemished youth swears eternal fidelity and marries her. Siegfried realizes his destiny has changed. Day is breaking, the swans are again swimming on the lake, Odette bids a sad farewell, Siegfried is left desolate. ACT II Scene three The coming of age ball commences at the castle. The young noblewoman whom the Queen has chosen as prospective brides are presented to Prince Siegfried, he shows no interest thinking only of Odette. The entertainment and merrymaking continue until a fanfare announces the arrival of more guests. Rothbart disguised as a knight sweeps in with his daughter Odille, Siegfried is dazzled by her beauty and her resemblance to Odette, swears his love and fidelity... Rothbart the sorcerer triumphs in his deception. Siegfried horrified at what he has done rushes from the ball and into the night. ACT III Scene four At the lakeside Odette tells her fellow swans of Rothbarts devilish trickery. Siegfried fleeing from the ball arrives at the shore begging Odette‘s forgiveness and telling of his undying love for her. Rothbart appears and he and his black swans battle with Siegfried and the forces of good until the light of the dawn breaks and the forces of evil are vanquished. The rising sun gives birth to new life, happiness and love.
Schedule for Swan Lake - P.Tchaikovsky (Ballet in three acts).The Kasatkina and Vasilyov State Classical Ballet Theatre (Moscow Classical Ballet) 2022
|