Onegin
Main stage
The grandiose ballet Onegin, choreographed by the legendary John Cranko, can be seen on the stage of the Bolshoi Theater. The plot of Pushkin’s immortal poem, embodied in dance, has delighted audiences all over the world for five decades. Today you have a unique opportunity to see this production on the Moscow stage.
Swan Lake
Historical scene
The battle between light and dark will more than once make your heart tremble in the hope of happiness and break on the sharp stones of disappointment in the rhythm of the waves of a mysterious mountain lake. The ballet uses fragments of choreography by Marius Petipa, Lev Ivanov and Alexander Gorsky.
Krasavin-Samodurov
Main stage
The performance Krasavin - Samodurov will primarily be of interest to connoisseurs of modern ballet dance. The production of the famous Russian choreographer Vyacheslav Samodurov to the music of Yuri Krasavin surprises with its original plastic solutions and virtuoso skill of the performers, among whom are the bright stars of the Bolshoi Theater ballet troupe.
Premiere
Coppelia
Main stage
The classical ballet Coppelia was staged at the Bolshoi Theater in the original choreography of the outstanding choreographer Marius Petipa. This performance became a bright event in the cultural life of the capital and today it is one of the most popular in the repertoire of the Bolshoi Theater.
Peer Gynt
Main stage
Alfred Schnittke's ballet Peer Gynt is presented at the Bolshoi Theater staged by the outstanding choreographer John Neumeier. The premiere of the second edition of the ballet took place in Hamburg in 2015, and now this bright and emotional performance can be seen by the capital’s connoisseurs of ballet art.
Premiere
Boris Eifman's ballet Up & Down (Tender is the Night)
Historical scene
The performance "Up & Down" at the Bolshoi, tickets for which you can purchase on our website right now, will open the capital's tour of the famous St. Petersburg State Academic Ballet Theater in the fall. Its permanent director Boris Eifman will finally present his new production in Moscow, which premiered at the end of January on the stage of the Alexandrinsky Theater and has already caused many enthusiastic responses.
Pygmalion effect. Ballet by Boris Eifman
Historical scene
Boris Eifman's tragicomic ballet, based on Bernard Shaw's famous play Pygmalion, is distinguished by its subtle character development, sophistication of choreographic numbers and skill of the performers. This production at the Bolshoi Theater is presented by the Boris Eifman Ballet Theater.
Premiere
sleeping Beauty
Historical scene
The legendary ballet of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky returned to the Bolshoi Theater stage. This wonderful performance was staged in a choreographic version by the famous choreographer Yuri Grigorovich, based on the classical choreography of Marius Petipa.
Premiere
Winter's Tale
Historical scene
The Winter's Tale is a recognized masterpiece of modern ballet art, created by composer Joby Talbot and famous choreographer Christopher Wheeldon based on the late play by William Shakespeare. Don't miss the unique opportunity to see this wonderful performance on the stage of the Bolshoi Theater.
Premiere
Past
Nutcracker
Historical scene
The Nutcracker premiered on March 12, 1966. Composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky. Libretto by Yuri Grigorovich. based on the fairy tale by Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffmann. Motifs from Marius Peptipus are used. BALLET IN TWO ACTS
Marco Spada
Historical scene
The legendary ballet by Marco Spada will finally be staged at the Bolshoi Theater, and this event has been awaited for a long time. Ballet fans have recently become quite active, as this phenomenon is out of the ordinary.
Lady with camellias
Historical scene
The legendary ballet production by John Neumeier on the stage of the Bolshoi Theater features the bewitching music of Frederic Chopin, beautiful scenery and a tragic love story told in the language of dance. Don't miss this masterpiece of modern ballet art!
Spartacus
Historical scene
The legendary ballet Spartacus by Aram Khachaturian, staged by the outstanding Russian choreographer Yuri Grigorovich, has been in the repertoire of the Bolshoi Theater for five decades. This bright, dynamic production is rightfully considered one of the masterpieces of world ballet art.
Don Quixote
Historical scene
The capital's theatergoers can see the legendary performance Don Quixote, one of the most popular ballet productions, on the stage of the Bolshoi Theater. The success of this ballet lies in the wonderful music of Ludwig Minkus, polished scenography and mesmerizing dance numbers performed by leading soloists of the Bolshoi Theater ballet troupe.
Giselle
Historical scene
Giselle is one of the pearls of world ballet art. On the stage of the Bolshoi Theater this performance went through hundreds of performances. Today, capital audiences can see the legendary ballet choreographed by the outstanding Russian choreographer Yuri Grigorovich.
Jewelry
Historical scene
Ballet "Jewelry". Ballet in three movements by George Balanchine. The world premiere took place on April 13, 1967 in New York. At the Mariinsky Theater - October 30, 1999. GEORGE BALANCHINE'S BALLET IN THREE PARTS
Karamazovs. Ballet by Boris Eifman
Main stage
The legendary Boris Eifman Theater will show the play “The Karamazovs” on the stage of the Bolshoi Theater. This production is one of the most striking works in the repertoire of the avant-garde theater, which successfully tours around the world.
Moidodyr
Main stage
The fantasy ballet “Moidodyr” won the First Competition for the creation of large-scale opera and ballet. The chairman of the competition jury, Andrey Eshpai, noted that recently many interesting works by contemporary authors have appeared, and, of course, one of the most striking is the ballet “Moidodyr” by Efrem Podgaits. B BALLET-FANTASY IN TWO SCENES
Ivan the Terrible
Historical scene
The first Tsar of All Rus', Ivan the Terrible, reigned for 50 years. It is the image of the autocrat that is the key figure in the ballet to the music of Sergei Prokofiev. The era in which he ruled the state is very accurately reflected in this performance. BALLET IN TWO ACTS
Benefit performance of Nikolai Tsiskaridze
Main stage
The benefit performance of Nikolai Tsiskaridze is a vibrant performance, which includes the best choreographic numbers from the rich repertoire of the famous Russian dancer, who became famous for his performances on stage in the best musical theaters and has an entire army of loyal fans.
Bolt
Main stage
The Bolshoi Theater turned to the “industrial” ballet of Dmitry Shostakovich, which was created in the early 30s and removed from the stage immediately after the premiere. The famous choreographer Alexei Ratmansky created a new version and staged a performance distinguished by its original scenography and talented choreographic numbers.
Cipollino
Main stage
Cipollino is rightfully considered one of the best modern ballets created for children. The performance on the stage of the Bolshoi Theater will present wonderful music by Karen Khachaturian, colorful costumes and scenery created by the wonderful artist Valery Leventhal and a fabulous story told by the leading soloists of the opera troupe.
Parisian fun
Main stage
Parisian Fun is a vibrant ballet medley to the music of Jacques Offenbach, staged by the outstanding choreographer of our time, Maurice Bejart. For the first time, the Bolshoi Theater turns to the work of the legend of modern ballet and presents one of his most cheerful productions.
La Bayadère
Historical scene
Fans of ballet art have a unique opportunity to see the production of the outstanding Russian choreographer Yuri Grigorovich, who recreated the author’s version of the famous ballet by Marius Petipa on the stage of the Bolshoi Theater.
Legend of love
Historical scene
The ballet, which had been performed triumphantly for several decades on the Soviet stage, returned to the repertoire of the Bolshoi Theater. The play The Legend of Love, staged by the outstanding choreographer Yuri Grigorovich, features enchanting dance numbers, vibrant scenography and the magical charm of the ancient Persian legend.
Pharaoh's daughter
Historical scene
“The Pharaoh's Daughter” is an unusual ballet on an Egyptian theme, in which the best ballerinas of the Bolshoi Theater take part. The ballet was staged by Marius Petipa and revived in 2000 by French director Pierre Lacotte. BALLET IN THREE ACTS
Light stream
Main stage
The production of the ballet “Bright Stream” came as a surprise to the capital’s audience. The work, written in the mid-30s and dedicated to socialist everyday life, was in complete oblivion for many decades. But the Bolshoi Theater team gave the ballet a new life and created an extraordinary performance, decorated with beautiful music and high performing arts of the leading soloists of the ballet troupe.
A futile precaution
Main stage
The ballet Vain Precaution at the Bolshoi Theater is a wonderful gift for true fans of ballet art who will see the brilliant production of Yuri Grigorovich. The main roles in this memorable and talented production are performed by bright stars of the Russian ballet scene.
Sylphide
Main stage
The ancient ballet La Sylphide is one of the greatest works of world ballet art. Moscow audiences have a unique opportunity to see this performance on the stage of the Bolshoi Theater in the original choreography of August Bournonville, which was embodied on stage by the premier of the Royal Danish Ballet and the Royal Theater Covent Garden, Johan Kobborg.
Corsair
Historical scene
The ancient ballet Corsair has returned to the Bolshoi Theater stage. Today this performance can be seen in the form it was conceived in the mid-19th century by the French composer Adolphe Adam and choreographer Marius Petipa. This unique production is one of the most striking performances on the capital's stage.
Flame of Paris
Main stage
Choreographer Alexei Ratmansky returned to the stage the ballet Flame of Paris, which was successfully performed in domestic musical theaters in the 30-50s of the 20th century. The new version of this performance received the approval of the public and for more than ten years “The Flames of Paris” has graced the repertoire of the Bolshoi Theater.
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Historical scene
The ballet A Midsummer Night's Dream, choreographed by George Balanchine, is an amazingly beautiful performance, decorated with wonderful music by Felix Mendelssohn, expressive scenography, wonderful choreographic numbers and talented performances by the leading soloists of the Bolshoi Theater ballet troupe.
Lost Illusions
Main stage
The ballet Lost Illusions, staged by Alexei Ratmansky, is a bright and exciting performance, in the creation of which the famous artist Jerome Kaplan and the director of the Comedy Frances Guillaume Gallienne took part. The main roles in the performance are performed by leading soloists of the Bolshoi Theater ballet troupe.
Romeo and Juliet
Historical scene
William Shakespeare's legendary play became a wonderful ballet performance thanks to the genius of Sergei Prokofiev. On the stage of the Bolshoi Theater you can see this wonderful ballet Romeo and Juliet, staged by the outstanding choreographer Yuri Grigorovich.
Symphony in C major.
Main stage
The main theme of this plotless ballet is the interaction of dance and music, the interweaving of choreographic compositions, and the virtuoso skill of the soloists. Two ensembles of dancers begin this performance, which ends with 48 dancers on stage performing an expressive final dance.
Raymonda
Historical scene
Raymonda is one of the most popular ballet performances. The ballet was repeatedly staged on the stage of the Bolshoi Theater, each time arousing great interest among the capital's public. Today you can see “Raymonda” in a wonderful production by the outstanding Russian choreographer Yuri Grigorovich.
Historical scene
One of the best European ballets is once again touring in Russia, and without any doubt it will create another sensation. This ballet has set a completely new bar for quality, and we can be proud that some of its members are from our country. IN
Romeo and Juliet
Main stage
Sergei Prokofiev's ballet, based on the famous play by William Shakespeare, returns to the Bolshoi Theater stage. The talented choreographer Alexei Ratmansky, known for his striking productions, offered his version of this wonderful work.
Chopiniana, Divertimento
Main stage
Chopiniana by Mikhail Fokine became the first performance in the genre of a plotless ballet work. This ballet entered the history of modern ballet art and marked a new style in which the relationship between music and dance was revised.
Rite of Spring, Apartment
Main stage
The Rite of Spring is the legendary ballet by Igor Stravinsky, which was not immediately accepted by the public, but over time became one of the symbols of modern ballet. Outstanding choreographers turned to this work at different times. On the stage of the Bolshoi Theater, the Rite of Spring will appear performed by the bright stars of Russian ballet.
What does the day owe to the night?
Main stage
In Hervé Kubi's performance, classical choreography is unexpectedly intertwined with modern styles such as hip-hop and capoeira. Thanks to courageous work and ingenuity, the team's performances truly became legendary.
Taming of the Shrew
Main stage
Any production by Jean-Christophe Maillot becomes a highlight and arouses interest among fans of ballet art. Muscovites have a unique opportunity to see the play The Taming of the Shrew, which the famous choreographer staged in 2014 together with the Bolshoi Theater troupe.
Hamlet
Main stage
The Hamlet ballet became an unexpected and striking event in the cultural life of the capital. For the first time, the heroes of Shakespeare's immortal tragedy dance on stage and act out the famous plot, performing complex dance compositions and talented plastic miniatures.
Hero of our time
Main stage
Very soon you will see “A Hero of Our Time” in the Bolshoi Theater. The performance will be truly unforgettable and touching. Connoisseurs of art and classical works will be able to appreciate what they see if they purchase tickets for “Hero of Our Time”. Mikhail Lermontov's play was first published in St. Petersburg in two books, and this was in 1840. Lermontov always wrote interesting novels, which can be used not only for wonderful educational and historical performances, but also for the opportunity to make a documentary or show your written story in cinema.
Requiem. Ballet by Boris Eifman
Main stage
In "Requiem" Giuseppe Verdi is distinguished by a variety of musical themes, an unconventional approach to the construction of the mass and bright, emotional fragments. At the Bolshoi Theater, this famous work will be performed by leading soloists of the opera troupe and an orchestra conducted by Tugan Sokhiev.
Concert of ballet soloists
Main stage
Tickets to the concert of the Bolshoi Theater ballet soloists will allow you to see the stars of the troupe on the legendary stage. In general, ballet in Moscow began in 1780 on the corner of Petrovka Street, where the first professional troupe and the first production of The Magic Shop were located.
One-act ballets
Main stage
What could be better than One-Act ballets at the Bolshoi Theater? Perhaps nothing. After all, this is the most convenient and interesting way for choreographers to experiment with choreography and music. And of course, give the viewer wonderful moments of dance. You will witness the most unexpected choreographic solutions and striking contrasts if you buy tickets to One-Act ballets. Ballet never goes out of fashion and will be of interest to audiences of any age.
Milonga
Main stage
Milonga is an unusual performance on the stage of the Bolshoi Theater. In this vibrant and memorable performance, passionate Argentine tango merges with modern ballet art to turn into an enchanting performance staged by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, one of the leaders of the modern ballet scene.
Now
Main stage
Chaillot brought the ballet Now to Russia at the French National Theater. The production is staged at the Bolshoi Theater as part of the international contemporary dance festival DanceInversion. The premiere of the play in 2014 became the brightest event in the world of modern dance. A hypnotic performance with an abundance of beautiful dances, poetic texts, and spectacular video installations was staged by the famous dancer and choreographer Carolyn Carlson.V V V V
Ballet is called an integral part of the art of our country. Russian ballet is considered the most authoritative in the world, the standard. This review contains the success stories of five great Russian ballerinas who are still looked up to today.
Anna Pavlova
Outstanding ballerina Anna Pavlova was born into a family far from art. She developed a desire to dance at the age of 8 after the girl saw the ballet production of “The Sleeping Beauty.” At the age of 10, Anna Pavlova was accepted into the Imperial Theater School, and after graduation, she was accepted into the troupe of the Mariinsky Theater.
What is curious is that the aspiring ballerina was not placed in the corps de ballet, but immediately began to give her responsible roles in productions. Anna Pavlova danced under the direction of several choreographers, but the most successful and fruitful tandem, which had a fundamental influence on her performance style, was with Mikhail Fokin.
Anna Pavlova supported the choreographer’s bold ideas and readily agreed to experiments. The miniature "The Dying Swan", which later became the hallmark of Russian ballet, was practically impromptu. In this production, Fokine gave the ballerina more freedom, allowing her to independently feel the mood of “The Swan” and improvise. In one of the first reviews, the critic admired what he saw: “If a ballerina on stage can imitate the movements of the noblest of birds, then this has been achieved:.”
Galina Ulanova
Galina Ulanova's fate was predetermined from the very beginning. The girl’s mother worked as a ballet teacher, so Galina, even if she really wanted to, was unable to bypass the ballet barre. Years of grueling training led to Galina Ulanova becoming the most titled artist of the Soviet Union.
After graduating from the choreographic technical school in 1928, Ulanova was accepted into the ballet troupe of the Leningrad Opera and Ballet Theater. From the very first performances, the young ballerina attracted the attention of spectators and critics. A year later, Ulanova was entrusted with performing the leading role of Odette-Odile in Swan Lake. Giselle is considered one of the ballerina’s triumphant roles. Performing the scene of the heroine's madness, Galina Ulanova did it so soulfully and selflessly that even the men in the audience could not hold back their tears.
Galina Ulanova reached . They imitated her, teachers of the leading ballet schools in the world demanded that their students do steps “like Ulanova.” The famous ballerina is the only one in the world to whom monuments were erected during her lifetime.
Galina Ulanova danced on stage until she was 50 years old. She was always strict and demanding of herself. Even in old age, the ballerina began every morning with classes and weighed 49 kg.
Olga Lepeshinskaya
For passionate temperament, sparkling technique and precision of movements Olga Lepeshinskaya nicknamed "Jumping Dragonfly". The ballerina was born into a family of engineers. From early childhood, the girl literally raved about dancing, so her parents had no choice but to send her to the ballet school at the Bolshoi Theater.
Olga Lepeshinskaya easily coped with both classic ballet (“Swan Lake”, “Sleeping Beauty”) and modern productions (“Red Poppy”, “Flames of Paris”.) During the Great Patriotic War, Lepeshinskaya fearlessly performed at the front, raising the fighting soldier spirit.
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Olga Lepeshinskaya -
ballerina with a passionate temperament. | Photo: www.etoretro.ru.
Despite the fact that the ballerina was Stalin’s favorite and had many awards, she was very demanding of herself. Already at an advanced age, Olga Lepeshinskaya said that her choreography could not be called outstanding, but her “natural technique and fiery temperament” made her inimitable.
Maya Plisetskaya
Maya Plisetskaya- another outstanding ballerina, whose name is inscribed in golden letters in the history of Russian ballet. When the future artist was 12 years old, she was adopted by Aunt Shulamith Messerer. Plisetskaya’s father was shot, and her mother and little brother were sent to Kazakhstan to a camp for the wives of traitors to the Motherland.
Aunt Plisetskaya was a ballerina at the Bolshoi Theater, so Maya also began attending choreography classes. The girl achieved great success in this field and after graduating from college she was accepted into the Bolshoi Theater troupe.
Plisetskaya's innate artistry, expressive plasticity, and phenomenal jumps made her a prima ballerina. Maya Plisetskaya performed leading roles in all classical productions. She was especially good at tragic images. Also, the ballerina was not afraid of experiments in modern choreography.
After the ballerina was fired from the Bolshoi Theater in 1990, she did not despair and continued to give solo performances. The overflowing energy allowed Plisetskaya to make her debut in the production of “Ave Maya” on her 70th birthday.
Lyudmila Semenyaka
Beautiful ballerina Lyudmila Semenyaka performed on the stage of the Mariinsky Theater when she was only 12 years old. The talented talent could not go unnoticed, so after some time Lyudmila Semenyaka was invited to the Bolshoi Theater. Galina Ulanova, who became her mentor, had a significant influence on the ballerina’s work.
Semenyaka coped with any part so naturally and effortlessly that from the outside it seemed as if she was not making any effort, but was simply enjoying the dance. In 1976, Lyudmila Ivanovna was awarded the Anna Pavlova Prize from the Paris Academy of Dance.
At the end of the 1990s, Lyudmila Semenyaka announced her retirement from her ballerina career, but continued her activities as a teacher. Since 2002, Lyudmila Ivanovna has been a teacher-tutor at the Bolshoi Theater.
But he mastered the art of ballet in Russia, and spent most of his life performing in the USA.
in the 16th century, it has come a long way and by now has become popular all over the world. Numerous ballet schools and theater troupes, whose numbers increase every year, are both classical and modern.
But if there are dozens of famous show ballets, and, in fact, they differ from other dance ensembles only in the level of skill, then national ballet theaters with a centuries-old history can be counted on one hand.
Russian Ballet: Bolshoi and Mariinsky Theaters
You and I have something to be proud of, because Russian ballet is one of the best in the world. “Swan Lake”, “The Nutcracker”, the famous plastic ballets that appeared in our country at the beginning of the 20th century, made Russia the second homeland of this art and provided our theaters with an endless stream of grateful spectators from all over the world.
Nowadays, troupes of the Bolshoi and Mariinsky theaters compete for the title of the best, whose skills are improving day by day. Both troupes select dancers from among the students of the St. Petersburg Vaganova Academy, and from the first days of training, all its students dream of one day performing a solo part on the main stage of the country.
French Ballet: Grand Opera
The cradle of world ballet, whose attitude towards performances has been unchanged for three centuries, and where only classical academic dance exists, and everything else is regarded as a crime against art, is the ultimate dream for all dancers in the world.
Every year its composition is replenished with only three dancers who have passed more selections, competitions and tests than even astronauts could dream of. Tickets to the Paris Opera are not cheap, and only the wealthiest art connoisseurs can afford them, but the hall is full during every performance, since in addition to the French themselves, all Europeans come here who dream of admiring classical ballet.
United States: American Ballet Theater
Made famous by the release of Black Swan, American Ballet Theater was founded by a soloist at the Russian Bolshoi Theatre.
Having its own school, the ballet does not hire dancers from outside and has a distinctive Russian-American style. The productions combine classic themes, such as the famous “Nutcracker,” and new dance styles. Many ballet connoisseurs claim that ABT has forgotten about the canons, but the popularity of this theater is growing every year.
UK: Birmingham Royal Ballet
Supervised by the Queen herself, the London Ballet has a small number of dancers, but is distinguished by the strict selection of participants and repertoire. You won’t find modern trends or genre deviations here. Perhaps this is why, unable to withstand the harsh traditions, many young stars of this ballet leave it and begin to create their own troupes.
It is not easy to get to a performance of the Royal Ballet; only the most famous and wealthy people in the world are awarded this opportunity, but once every three months, charity evenings with open admission are organized here.
Austrian Ballet: Vienna Opera
The history of the Vienna Opera goes back a century and a half, and all this time the first soloists of the troupe have been Russian dancers. Known for its annual balls, which were held only during World War II, the Vienna Opera is Austria's most visited attraction. People come here both to admire talented dancers and to look at their compatriots on stage and speak their native language with pride.
It is very easy to get tickets here: thanks to the huge hall and the absence of resellers, you can do this on the day of the ballet, with the only exception being the days of premieres and the opening of the season.
So, if you want to see classical ballet performed by the most talented dancers, go to one of these theaters and enjoy the ancient art.
Publications in the Theaters section
Famous Russian ballets. Top 5
Classical ballet is an amazing art form that was born in Italy during the mature Renaissance and “moved” to France, where the credit for its development, including the founding of the Academy of Dance and the codification of many movements, belonged to King Louis XIV. France exported the art of theatrical dance to all European countries, including Russia. In the middle of the 19th century, the capital of European ballet was no longer Paris, which gave the world the masterpieces of romanticism La Sylphide and Giselle, but St. Petersburg. It was in the Northern capital that the great choreographer Marius Petipa, the creator of the classical dance system and the author of masterpieces that still do not leave the stage, worked for almost 60 years. After the October Revolution, they wanted to “throw the ballet off the ship of modernity,” but they managed to defend it. Soviet times were marked by the creation of a considerable number of masterpieces. We present five Russian top ballets - in chronological order.
"Don Quixote"
Scene from the ballet Don Quixote. One of the first productions by Marius Petipa
Premiere of the ballet by L.F. Minkus "Don Quixote" at the Bolshoi Theater. 1869 From the album of architect Albert Kavos
Scenes from the ballet Don Quixote. Kitri - Lyubov Roslavleva (center). Staged by A.A. Gorsky. Moscow, Bolshoi Theater. 1900
Music by L. Minkus, libretto by M. Petipa. First production: Moscow, Bolshoi Theater, 1869, choreography by M. Petipa. Subsequent productions: St. Petersburg, Mariinsky Theatre, 1871, choreography by M. Petipa; Moscow, Bolshoi Theater, 1900, St. Petersburg, Mariinsky Theater, 1902, Moscow, Bolshoi Theater, 1906, all - choreography by A. Gorsky.
The Don Quixote ballet is a theatrical performance full of life and joy, an eternal celebration of dance that never tires adults and to which parents are happy to take their children. Although it is named after the hero of the famous novel by Cervantes, it is based on one of his episodes, “The Wedding of Quiteria and Basilio,” and tells about the adventures of young heroes, whose love ultimately wins, despite the opposition of the heroine’s stubborn father, who wanted to marry her to rich Gamache.
So Don Quixote has almost nothing to do with it. Throughout the entire performance, a tall, thin artist, accompanied by a short, pot-bellied colleague portraying Sancho Panza, walks around the stage, sometimes making it difficult to watch the beautiful dances composed by Petipa and Gorsky. Ballet, in essence, is a concert in costume, a celebration of classical and character dance, where all the dancers of any ballet company have a job.
The first production of the ballet took place in Moscow, where Petipa visited from time to time in order to raise the level of the local troupe, which could not be compared with the brilliant troupe of the Mariinsky Theater. But in Moscow there was more freedom to breathe, so the choreographer, in essence, staged a ballet-memory of the wonderful years of his youth spent in a sunny country.
The ballet was a success, and two years later Petipa moved it to St. Petersburg, which necessitated alterations. There they were much less interested in character dances than in pure classics. Petipa expanded “Don Quixote” to five acts, composed the “white act,” the so-called “Don Quixote’s Dream,” a real paradise for lovers of ballerinas in tutus and owners of pretty legs. The number of cupids in the “Dream” reached fifty-two...
“Don Quixote” came to us in a reworking by the Moscow choreographer Alexander Gorsky, who was keen on the ideas of Konstantin Stanislavsky and wanted to make the old ballet more logical and dramatically convincing. Gorsky destroyed Petipa's symmetrical compositions, abolished tutus in the "Dream" scene and insisted on the use of dark makeup for dancers portraying Spanish women. Petipa called him a “pig,” but already in the first adaptation of Gorsky the ballet was performed on the stage of the Bolshoi Theater 225 times.
"Swan Lake"
Scenery for the first performance. Bolshoi Theater. Moscow. 1877
Scene from the ballet “Swan Lake” by P.I. Tchaikovsky (choreographers Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov). 1895
Music by P. Tchaikovsky, libretto by V. Begichev and V. Geltser. First production: Moscow, Bolshoi Theater, 1877, choreography by V. Reisinger. Subsequent production: St. Petersburg, Mariinsky Theater, 1895, choreography by M. Petipa, L. Ivanov.
The beloved ballet, the classic version of which was staged in 1895, was actually born eighteen years earlier at Moscow's Bolshoi Theater. The score by Tchaikovsky, whose world fame was yet to come, was a kind of collection of “songs without words” and seemed too complex for that time. The ballet was performed about 40 times and sank into oblivion.
After Tchaikovsky's death, Swan Lake was staged at the Mariinsky Theater, and all subsequent productions of the ballet were based on this version, which became a classic. The action was given greater clarity and logic: the ballet told about the fate of the beautiful princess Odette, who was turned into a swan by the will of the evil genius Rothbart, about how Rothbart deceived Prince Siegfried, who fell in love with her, by resorting to the charms of his daughter Odile, and about the death of the heroes. Tchaikovsky's score was cut by approximately a third by conductor Riccardo Drigo and re-orchestrated. Petipa created the choreography for the first and third acts, Lev Ivanov - for the second and fourth. This division ideally answered the calling of both brilliant choreographers, the second of whom had to live and die in the shadow of the first. Petipa is the father of classical ballet, the creator of impeccably harmonious compositions and the singer of the fairy woman, the toy woman. Ivanov is an innovative choreographer with an unusually sensitive feel for music. The role of Odette-Odile was performed by Pierina Legnani, “the queen of Milanese ballerinas”, she is also the first Raymonda and the inventor of the 32nd fouetté, the most difficult type of spin on pointe shoes.
You may not know anything about ballet, but everyone knows Swan Lake. In the last years of the existence of the Soviet Union, when elderly leaders quite often replaced one another, the soulful melody of the “white” duet of the main characters of the ballet and the splashes of winged hands from the TV screen announced a sad event. The Japanese love “Swan Lake” so much that they are ready to watch it morning and evening, performed by any troupe. Not a single touring troupe, of which there are many in Russia and especially in Moscow, can do without “Swan”.
"Nutcracker"
Scene from the ballet "The Nutcracker". First production. Marianna - Lydia Rubtsova, Klara - Stanislava Belinskaya, Fritz - Vasily Stukolkin. Mariinsky Theater. 1892
Scene from the ballet "The Nutcracker". First production. Mariinsky Theater. 1892
Music by P. Tchaikovsky, libretto by M. Petipa. First production: St. Petersburg, Mariinsky Theater, 1892, choreography by L. Ivanov.
There is still erroneous information floating around in books and websites that “The Nutcracker” was staged by the father of classical ballet, Marius Petipa. In fact, Petipa only wrote the script, and the first production of the ballet was carried out by his subordinate, Lev Ivanov. Ivanov was faced with an impossible task: the script, created in the style of a then fashionable extravaganza ballet with the indispensable participation of an Italian guest performer, was in obvious contradiction with Tchaikovsky’s music, which, although it was written in strict accordance with Petipa’s instructions, was distinguished by great feeling and dramatic richness and complex symphonic development. In addition, the heroine of the ballet was a teenage girl, and the star ballerina was destined for only the final pas de deux (a duet with a partner, consisting of an adagio - a slow part, variations - solo dances and a coda (virtuoso finale)). The first production of The Nutcracker, where the first act was predominantly a pantomime act, differed sharply from the second act, a divertissement act, was not a great success; critics noted only the Waltz of the Snowflakes (64 dancers took part in it) and the Pas de deux of the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Prince of Whooping Cough , the source of inspiration for which was Ivanov's Adagio with a Rose from The Sleeping Beauty, where Aurora dances with four gentlemen.
But in the twentieth century, which was able to penetrate the depths of Tchaikovsky’s music, “The Nutcracker” was destined for a truly fantastic future. There are countless ballet productions in the Soviet Union, European countries and the USA. In Russia, productions by Vasily Vainonen at the Leningrad State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater (now the Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg) and Yuri Grigorovich at the Moscow Bolshoi Theater are especially popular.
"Romeo and Juliet"
Ballet "Romeo and Juliet". Juliet - Galina Ulanova, Romeo - Konstantin Sergeev. 1939
Mrs Patrick Campbell as Juliet in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. 1895
Finale of the ballet "Romeo and Juliet". 1940
Music by S. Prokofiev, libretto by S. Radlov, A. Piotrovsky, L. Lavrovsky. First production: Brno, Opera and Ballet Theatre, 1938, choreography by V. Psota. Subsequent production: Leningrad, State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater named after. S. Kirov, 1940, choreography by L. Lavrovsky.
If a Shakespearean phrase in a famous Russian translation reads “There is no sadder story in the world than the story of Romeo and Juliet”, then they said about the ballet written by the great Sergei Prokofiev on this plot: “There is no sadder story in the world than Prokofiev’s music in ballet”. Truly amazing in its beauty, richness of colors and expressiveness, the score of Romeo and Juliet at the time of its appearance seemed too complex and unsuitable for ballet. Ballet dancers simply refused to dance to it.
Prokofiev wrote the score in 1934, and it was originally intended not for the theater, but for the famous Leningrad Academic Choreographic School to celebrate its 200th anniversary. The project was not implemented due to the murder of Sergei Kirov in Leningrad in 1934, changes occurred in the leading musical theater of the second capital. The plan to stage “Romeo and Juliet” at the Moscow Bolshoi did not come true either. In 1938, the premiere was shown by the theater in Brno, and only two years later Prokofiev’s ballet was finally staged in the author’s homeland, at the then Kirov Theater.
Choreographer Leonid Lavrovsky, within the framework of the “drama ballet” genre (a form of choreographic drama characteristic of ballet of the 1930s-50s), which was highly welcomed by the Soviet authorities, created an impressive, exciting spectacle with carefully sculpted crowd scenes and subtly outlined psychological characteristics of the characters. At his disposal was Galina Ulanova, the most sophisticated ballerina-actress, who remained unsurpassed in the role of Juliet.
Prokofiev's score was quickly appreciated by Western choreographers. The first versions of the ballet appeared already in the 40s of the 20th century. Their creators were Birgit Kullberg (Stockholm, 1944) and Margarita Froman (Zagreb, 1949). Famous productions of “Romeo and Juliet” belong to Frederick Ashton (Copenhagen, 1955), John Cranko (Milan, 1958), Kenneth MacMillan (London, 1965), John Neumeier (Frankfurt, 1971, Hamburg, 1973).I. Moiseeva, 1958, choreography by Yu. Grigorovich, 1968.
Without Spartak, the concept of “Soviet ballet” is unthinkable. This is a real hit, a symbol of the era. The Soviet period developed different themes and images, deeply different from the traditional classical ballet inherited from Marius Petipa and the Imperial Theaters of Moscow and St. Petersburg. Fairy tales with happy endings were archived and were replaced by heroic stories.
Already in 1941, one of the leading Soviet composers, Aram Khachaturian, spoke of his intention to write music for a monumental, heroic performance, which was to be staged on the stage of the Bolshoi Theater. The theme for it was an episode from ancient Roman history, a slave uprising led by Spartacus. Khachaturian created a colorful score, using Armenian, Georgian, Russian motifs and full of beautiful melodies and fiery rhythms. The production was to be carried out by Igor Moiseev.
It took many years for his work to reach the audience, and it appeared not at the Bolshoi Theater, but at the Theatre. Kirov. Choreographer Leonid Yakobson created a stunning innovative performance, abandoning the traditional attributes of classical ballet, including dancing on pointe shoes, using free plasticity and the ballerinas wearing sandals.
But the ballet “Spartacus” became a hit and a symbol of the era in the hands of choreographer Yuri Grigorovich in 1968. Grigorovich amazed the viewer with his perfectly constructed dramaturgy, subtle portrayal of the characters of the main characters, skillful staging of crowd scenes, and the purity and beauty of the lyrical adagios. He called his work “a performance for four soloists with a corps de ballet” (corps de ballet are artists involved in mass dance episodes). The role of Spartacus was played by Vladimir Vasiliev, Crassus - Maris Liepa, Phrygia - Ekaterina Maksimova and Aegina - Nina Timofeeva. The ballet was predominantly male, which makes the ballet “Spartacus” one of a kind.
In addition to the famous readings of Spartacus by Jacobson and Grigorovich, there are about 20 more productions of the ballet. Among them are the version by Jiří Blazek for the Prague Ballet, László Szeregi for the Budapest Ballet (1968), Jüri Vamos for the Arena di Verona (1999), Renato Zanella for the Vienna State Opera Ballet (2002), Natalia Kasatkina and Vladimir Vasiliev for the State Academic Theater directed by them classical ballet in Moscow (2002).
5 chosen
Two days ago, this beautiful art form celebrated a kind of birthday. It is believed that ballet dates back to October 15, 1581- then in France at court Catherine de' Medici The first fully dance production was shown - The Queen's Comedy Ballet. Since then, of course, classical dance has changed a lot. Today I propose to remember the most famous ballet performances.
Swan Lake, Tchaikovsky
Perhaps this is the most famous ballet in the world. There is no theater where it is not performed, and there is no ballerina who would not dream of playing the swan princess. But at first Tchaikovsky’s great work was not appreciated. The music was considered unsuitable for ballet, and the ballerinas even refused to dance in this dubious performance. First production "Swan Lake" at the Bolshoi Theater failed miserably.
In St. Petersburg they decided to stage this ballet only 17 years later. Production of the Mariinsky Theater, which was prepared by Marius Petipa And Lev Ivanov, was a huge success and became a classic. This particular “Swan Lake” is still shown at the Mariinsky Theater. In Soviet times, the Bolshoi Theater changed the classical production Yuri Grigorovich. Among other things, he gave this story a happy ending.
As soon as modern choreographers do not experiment with this ballet. In China there is an acrobatic version of the play in which "Dance of the Little Swans" turned into "Dance of the Little Frogs"– it is danced by men standing on their hands. And one Cuban theater staged a ballet in which each ballerina weighs at least 100 kilograms.
Romeo and Juliet, Sergei Prokofiev
"Romeo and Juliet"- one of the most popular ballets of the 20th century. Sergei Prokofiev created a musical embodiment for Shakespeare's famous tragedy in 1935. The timing was unfortunate - a campaign against Shostakovich had just begun in the press, and in this atmosphere the theaters did not dare to undertake the production of a new ballet. It was first shown only three years later in the Czech city of Brno. The performance turned out to be successful, and only after that they decided to stage it in their homeland.
The production was offered to the St. Petersburg choreographer Leonid Lavrovsky. The choreographer took the matter so seriously that he even forced Prokofiev to rewrite the music in some places. It was worth it - this production is still considered a classic.
By the way, the first version of Prokofiev’s ballet, unlike Shakespeare’s tragedy, had a happy ending, but it did not reach the stage of production.
Giselle, Adolphe Adam
This is a romantic, fairy-tale and tragic story about love that is stronger than death. The aristocrat deceived the simple girl Giselle, who fell in love with him. The unfortunate woman died of grief. But after her death, she fell into the company of Wilis - girls just like her who died due to the fault of men.
The music for this ballet was written by a French composer more than a century and a half ago. Adolf Adam. The play's premiere in Paris received rave reviews. But still the Russian production became the most popular Marius Pepipa.
Don Quixote, Ludwig Minkus
Austrian composer Ludwig Minkus wrote the music for this ballet for the Moscow theater, choreographed the first production Marius Pepipa.
In the ballet, Don Quixote is not the main character. The plot is centered on a love story. Kitri and Basil love each other, but Kitri's father is against them being together. Thanks to cunning, the lovers will still receive a blessing for the wedding, and none other than the errant knight Don Quixote of La Mancha will help them in this. This ballet is a bright, cheerful and cheerful story.
Audiences first saw Don Quixote in 1869. And 30 years later, a choreographer worked on the performance Alexander Gorsky. He added two more dances to music by other composers. Subsequently, it was Gorsky’s version that would be used as the basis for most productions.
Do you like ballet? What are your favorite productions?
