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
Scene 1 In an old German castle, the birthday of Prince Siegfried is
being celebrated; today he comes of age. He is congratulated by his mother, the
Princess Mother, friends and courtiers. In a majestic ceremony, Siegfried is
made a knight. From this day on a sense of duty, valor will be the guiding
principles in his life.
The last toasts are pronounced in his honor, young girls, his contemporaries,
try to attract his attention, but Siegfried is overcome by emotions of a
different order. He dreams of a pure, ideal love. The festivities draw to an
end, the guests depart, leaving the prince alone with his thoughts in the
gathering dusk. Night falls. Siegfried is conscious of the presence of a shadow
at his side, it is as if some mysterious force is beckoning to him. It is the
Evil Genius, or Fate itself, who has come to reveal some perturbing secrets to
the Prince. Submitting to the powerful pull of his invisible companion’s
presence and full of anxious foreboding, Siegfried succumbs to the ideal world
of his dreams…
Scene 2 Lured by the Evil Genius, Siegfried finds himself on the banks of
a mysterious lake. In the shimmering patches of moonlight on the water, visions
of bewitched swan maidens rise up before him. Siegfried catches sight of Odette,
the most beautiful of the maidens. He is spell-bound, deeply struck by her
beauty. At long last, he has found his romantic ideal of love. He swears to
Odette that he will love her forever and be faithful to her.
Act II
Scene 3 Prospective brides-to-be are arriving at the Princess Mother’s
castle. The Prince must chose one of them to be his wife. But Siegfried can
think of nothing but Odette and his meeting of her. He dances in an offhand way
with the well-born maidens. Not one of them can compare to his ideal.
Suddenly, a mysterious knight arrives at the ball accompanied by a
ravishingly beautiful young girl and a suite of black swans. It is the Evil
Genius and Odile, Odette’s double. Struck by their resemblance, Siegfried
hurries towards Odile. The Evil Genius is putting the Prince’s sentiments to the
test. Siegfried is enchanted by the perfidious Odile who manages to disarm him
of all his doubts. He announces Odile to be his chosen bride. At this very
moment, the throne room is plunged in darkness and a vision of the beautiful
Odette appears before the assembled company. Siegfried realizes that he has
become a plaything in the hands of Fate. Hoping to atone for his betrayal, he
rushes in despair after the receding image of the white swan.
Scene 4 Night-time. A deep gloom overhangs the lake. Odette brings the
tragic news; the Prince has broken his vow of faithfulness to her. Siegfried’s
conscience is deeply troubled; he hurries towards Odette begging for her
forgiveness. Odette forgives the youth but she is no longer mistress of her own
fate.
The Evil Genius summons up a storm which disperses, plays havoc with, the
heroes of our tale, making it impossible for them to unite. Made weak by his
single combat with Fate, Siegfried tries in vain to hold on to the vanish image.
As dawn breaks, he finds himself alone on the empty banks of the lake of his
dreams.
Scene 1. There is the celebratory excitement in the quarters of the bodyguard of Svetozar, Great Prince of Kiev. Lyudmila must choose an intended husband. Then the suitors appear Farlaf, an arrogant Varangian duke, and Ratmir, a dreamy Khazar prince. Ratmir is pursued by Gorislava who is in love with him with a plea to aban¬don Lyudmila. Here is Ruslan. Mutual love has had long but until then secret links between Lyudmila and a Kievan knight. But Khazar princess’ choice is done. The Prince and his armed force praise the young couple. The wedding ceremony begins. Then – thunder… Lightning… The sinister figure of an evil sorcerer Chernomor arises. Lyudmila freezes. An evil sorcerer abducts her. Ruslan is in despair. Svetozar promises Lyudmila will be a wife of the hero who returns her to father. The competitors leave Kiev. Scene 2. The scene of enchanted forest appears. Naina is chasing Finn with her love. He rejects her. An evil sorceress swears to have revenge. Finn meets Ruslan – Ruslan notices Lyudmila in the smoke of the magic fire. He thanks Finn and leaves to search Chernomor’s castle… Naina is on watch for Farlaf. She promises that Lyudmila will be his. Naina gives Farlaf everything he was dreaming of downy bed and the table full of viand. Overwhelmed with wine and gluttony, he falls asleep and forgets about Lyudmila. Scene 3. Ruslan puts out to the field: the remnants of bloody carnage are visible. The knight is in doubt. “Will I find Lyudmila or fall dead like these unknown warriors?” There is a hill in front of Ruslan – it is The Head. The Head spills into a great num¬ber of warriors. The battle is fierce and the forces are unequal, but Ruslan goes out a winner. The warriors are diverted: The Head is replaced with a magic sword. Scene 4. Naina is hexing and tries to lure the knights. Her escort is the swarm of ugly crones who are transforming into beautiful girls. The forest turns into the magnificent oriental palace. Naina is on watch for a victim and preparing the poisoned drink for Ratmir… Gorislava persistently follows Ratmir but a proud Khazar prince is longing to find Lyudmila, though Gorislava is dearer and closer to him. Ratmir leaves his crying girlfriend and enters Naina’s palace. The magic girls, wine and viand – and here is Ratmir who lost his shield, sword and helmet. Naina’s spells force Ratmir to forget about everything in the world. Gorislava, Finn and Ruslan appear in the palace. They release Ratmir.
Act II
Scene 1. Lyudmila awakes in the Chernomor’s castle. Trying to make love with Lyudmila, Chernomor turns into Ruslan. But Lyudmila feels deception – it is an angry dwarf in front of her. Lyudmila tangles the magic beard of the villain. The Chernomor’s servants appear solemnly bearing the dwarf and his beard. It is the sorcerer’s might parade. The vortex of lezghinka captivates all the participants. Lyudmila is almost unconscious. The dwarf slowly approaches his victim… The sound of horn rings out. It is Ruslan who challenges Chernomor to a battle. The battle is short and fierce. The dwarf takes Ruslan in the clouds… Scene 2. Ruslan defeated the dwarf but Lyudmila is sleeping the spellful sleep and doesn’t recognize her sweetheart. Ratmir and Gorislava come to help Ruslan. Scene 3. Naina drags palsied Farlaf – his hour has come. Fear makes him submit. They are chasing the traces of Ruslan. Scene 4. Night in the wilderness comes. Ruslan is guarding Lyudmila asleep but he is very tired so he falls asleep too. Naina and Farlaf appear. Farlaf drives a sword into Ruslan’s chest and abducts Lyudmila. Naina triumphs. Suddenly Finn appears with the water of death and the water of life. Ruslan’s wounds heal. The charac¬ters are heading for Kiev. Naina is defeated and her plans are destroyed. Scene 5. Farlaf, who abducted Lyudmila, brought her back to Kiev. But nobody can awake her from magic sleep. She can’t recognize even her father…Great Prince of Kiev mourns over his daughter. But suddenly Ruslan runs in. His love awakes Lyudmila from her sleep. Faint-hearted Farlaf begs for mercy. There are the happiness and jubilation in the Prince Svetozar’s palace. Russian people glorify the brave knight and the young princess…
Libretto by V. Begichev and V. Geltser
Choreographer - stage director - People’s Artist of the Russian Federation, Moscow Prize winner Andrei Petrov.
Fragments of choreography by Lev Ivanov, Marius Petipa, Alexander Gorsky were used in the performance.
The artist - set designer - the national artist of the Russian Federation, the winner of the State award of the Russian Federation Stanislav Benediktov.
Costume Designer - Olga Polyanskaya.
The performance is accompanied by the Orpheus Radio Symphony Orchestra. Artistic director and chief conductor - Sergey Kondrashev.
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