The best ballet performances in the world list. What is ballet, history of ballet
Whatever one may say, one cannot ignore the famous masterpiece of the Russian composer in four acts, thanks to which the German legend of the beautiful swan girl is immortalized in the eyes of art connoisseurs. According to the plot, the prince, in love with the swan queen, betrays her, but even the realization of the mistake does not save him or his beloved from the raging elements.
The image of the main character - Odette - complements the gallery of female symbols created by the composer during his life. It is noteworthy that the author of the ballet plot is still unknown, and the names of the librettists have never appeared on any poster. The ballet was first presented back in 1877 on the stage of the Bolshoi Theatre, but the first version was considered unsuccessful. The most famous production is Petipa-Ivanov, which became the standard for all subsequent performances.
The best ballets in the world: Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker
Popular on New Year's Eve, the ballet for children The Nutcracker was first presented to the public in 1892 on the stage of the famous Mariinsky Theatre. Its plot is based on Hoffmann's fairy tale "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King". The struggle of generations, the confrontation between good and evil, the wisdom behind the mask - the deep philosophical meaning of the tale is clothed in vivid musical images that are understandable to the youngest viewers.
The action takes place in winter, on Christmas Eve, when all wishes can come true - and this gives an additional charm to the magical story. Everything is possible in this fairy tale: cherished desires will come true, masks of hypocrisy will fall off, and injustice will be definitely defeated.
************************************************************************
The best ballets in the world: Giselle by Adam
“Love that is stronger than death” is perhaps the most accurate description of the famous ballet in four acts of Giselle. The story of a girl dying from passionate love, who gave her heart to a noble young man betrothed to another bride, is so vividly conveyed in the graceful pas of slender wilis - brides who died before the wedding.
The ballet was a huge success from the first production in 1841, and over the course of 18 years, 150 theatrical performances of the work of the famous French composer were given on the stage of the Paris Opera. This story won the hearts of art connoisseurs so much that an asteroid discovered at the end of the 19th century was even named after the main character of the story. And today, our contemporaries have already taken care of preserving one of the greatest pearls of the classical work in film versions of the classical production.
************************************************************************
The best ballets in the world: Don Quixote by Minkus
The era of great knights has long passed, but this does not prevent modern young ladies from dreaming of meeting Don Quixote of the 21st century. The ballet accurately conveys all the details of the folklore of the inhabitants of Spain; and many masters tried to stage the plot of noble chivalry in a modern interpretation, but it is the classical production that has been decorating the Russian stage for one hundred and thirty years.
Choreographer Marius Petipa was able to skillfully embody the whole flavor of Spanish culture in the dance thanks to the use of elements of national dances, and some gestures and postures directly indicate the place where the plot unfolds. History has not lost its significance today: even in the 21st century, Don Quixote skillfully inspires young people with warm hearts, capable of desperate deeds in the name of goodness and justice.
************************************************************************
The best ballets in the world: Romeo and Juliet by Prokofiev
The immortal story of two loving hearts, united only after death forever, is embodied on stage thanks to Prokofiev's music. The production took place shortly before the Second World War, and we must pay tribute to the dedicated masters who resisted the orders that were customary at that time, which also reigned in the creative sphere of the Stalinist country: the composer retained the traditional tragic ending of the plot.
After the first grandiose success, which awarded the performance with the Stalin Prize, there were many versions, but literally in 2008, the traditional production of 1935 in New York took place with a happy ending to the famous story unknown to the public until that moment.
************************************************************************
Enjoy watching!
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, whom they still look up to.
Anna Pavlova
Outstanding Ballerina Anna Pavlova was born in a family far from art. The desire to dance appeared in her at the age of 8 after the girl saw the ballet performance of Sleeping Beauty. At the age of 10, Anna Pavlova was accepted into the Imperial Theater School, and after graduation, into the troupe of the Mariinsky Theater.
Curiously, the aspiring ballerina was not put into the corps de ballet, but immediately began to give her responsible roles in productions. Anna Pavlova danced under the guidance of several choreographers, but the most successful and fruitful tandem, which had a fundamental influence on her style of performance, turned out with Mikhail Fokin.
Anna Pavlova supported the bold ideas of the choreographer and readily agreed to experiments. The miniature "The Dying Swan", which later became the hallmark of the Russian ballet, was almost impromptu. In this production, Fokine gave the ballerina more freedom, allowed her to feel the mood of The Swan on her own, to improvise. In one of the first reviews, the critic admired what he saw: “If it is possible for a ballerina on stage to imitate the movements of the noblest of birds, then this has been achieved:”.
Galina Ulanova
The fate of Galina Ulanova was predetermined from the very beginning. The girl's mother worked as a ballet teacher, so Galina, even if she really wanted to, she could not bypass the ballet barre. Years of grueling training led to the fact that Galina Ulanova became the most titled artist of the Soviet Union.
After graduating from the choreographic college in 1928, Ulanova was accepted into the ballet troupe of the Leningrad Opera and Ballet Theatre. From the very first performances, the young ballerina attracted the attention of viewers and critics. A year later, Ulanova was entrusted to perform the leading part of Odette-Odile in Swan Lake. Giselle is considered one of the triumphant roles of the ballerina. Performing the scene of the heroine's madness, Galina Ulanova did it so soulfully and selflessly that even the men in the hall could not hold back their tears.
Galina Ulanova reached . She was imitated, the teachers of the leading ballet schools of the world demanded that the 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 the age of 50. She has always been strict and demanding of herself. Even in old age, the ballerina started every morning with classes and weighed 49 kg.
Olga Lepeshinskaya
For passionate temperament, sparkling technique and precision of movements Olga Lepeshinskaya nicknamed "Dragonfly Jumper". 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 both with the classics of ballet ("Swan Lake", "Sleeping Beauty"), and with modern productions ("The Red Poppy", "The Flame of Paris".) During the Great Patriotic War, Lepeshinskaya fearlessly performed at the front, raising her combat soldier spirit.
Title="Olga Lepeshinskaya -
ballerina with passionate temperament. | Photo: www.etoretro.ru." border="0" vspace="5">!}
Olga Lepeshinskaya -
ballerina with 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 "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 her 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 Bolshoi ballerina, 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 troupe of the Bolshoi Theater.
Inborn artistry, expressive plasticity, Plisetskaya's phenomenal jumps made her a prima ballerina. Maya Plisetskaya performed leading roles in all classical productions. She especially succeeded in 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. Overflowing energy, and allowed Plisetskaya to make her debut in the production of "Ave Maya" on the day of her 70th birthday.
Ludmila Semenyaka
beautiful ballerina Ludmila Semenyaka performed on the stage of the Mariinsky Theater when she was only 12 years old. A 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 naturally that from the outside it seemed as if she was not making any effort, but simply enjoying the dance. In 1976, Lyudmila Ivanovna was awarded the Anna Pavlova Prize from the Paris Academy of Dance.
In the late 1990s, Lyudmila Semenyaka announced her retirement as a ballerina, but continued her activities as a teacher. Since 2002, Lyudmila Ivanovna has been a teacher-repetiteur at the Bolshoi Theater.
But he mastered the art of ballet in Russia, and performed in the USA for most of his life.
Onegin
main stage
The grandiose ballet Onegin choreographed by the legendary John Cranko can be seen on the stage of the Bolshoi Theatre. 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.
Giselle
historical scene
Giselle is one of the pearls of world ballet art. On the stage of the Bolshoi Theater, this performance withstood hundreds of performances. Today, the capital's audience can see the legendary ballet in the choreography of the outstanding domestic choreographer Yuri Grigorovich.
Flames of Paris
main stage
Choreographer Alexei Ratmansky returned to the stage the ballet Flames of Paris, which was successfully staged in domestic musical theaters in the 30-50s of the XX century. The new version of this performance was approved by the public and for more than ten years The Flames of Paris has graced the repertoire of the Bolshoi Theatre.
sylph
main stage
The ancient ballet 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 by August Bournonville, which was embodied on stage by the premiere of the Royal Danish Ballet and the Royal Theater Covent Garden Johan Kobborg.
Light stream
main stage
The staging of the ballet "The Bright Stream" came as a surprise to the audience in the capital. The work, written in the mid-30s and dedicated to socialist everyday life, was completely forgotten for many decades. But the staff of the Bolshoi Theater gave the ballet a new life and created an extraordinary performance, embellished with beautiful music and the high performing art of the leading soloists of the ballet troupe.
Parsley
main stage
The famous ballet by Igor Stravinsky, dedicated to the character of traditional Russian performances, can be seen on the stage of the Bolshoi Theater in the author's choreography by Mikhail Fokin, restored by the efforts of Andris Liepa. In this bright and exciting production, the main parts are performed by bright stars of the national ballet scene.
Premiere
The legend of love
historical scene
The ballet, which had performed triumphantly on the Soviet stage for several decades, returned to the repertoire of the Bolshoi Theatre. The performance The Legend of Love directed by the outstanding choreographer Yuri Grigorovich is enchanting dance numbers, bright set design and the magical charm of an ancient Persian legend.
Don Quixote
historical scene
Tickets for the ballet Don Quixote will take you to the world of Spanish entourage on the historical stage of the Bolshoi Theatre. The audience will see a ballet by Ludwig Minkus to a libretto by Marius Petipa based on the novel of the same name by Miguel de Cervantes.
Parisian fun
main stage
Parisian fun is a bright ballet medley to the music of Jacques Offenbach, staged by the outstanding contemporary choreographer Maurice Béjart. 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.
Premiere
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 virtuosity of the soloists. Two ensembles of dancers begin this performance, at the end of which there are 48 dancers on the stage, performing an expressive final dance.
Premiere
The Taming of the Shrew
main stage
Any production of 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.
Esmeralda
historical scene
On the stage of the Bolshoi Theater - a wonderful ballet Caesar Pugni, created based on the novel by Victor Hugo Notre Dame Cathedral. In Russia, this production is known in the choreography of the outstanding choreographer Marius Petipa, who created dozens of excellent ballet productions on the stage of the best musical theaters in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Premiere
Giselle (English National Ballet)
main stage
The legendary ballet Giselle will appear on the stage of the Bolshoi Theater in a wonderful production of the English National Ballet. One of the most influential choreographers of our time, Akram Khan, created his own version of the famous work by Adolf Adam, which has already been appreciated by European audiences.
Raymond
historical scene
Raymond is one of the most popular ballet performances. The ballet has been repeatedly staged at 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 domestic choreographer Yuri Grigorovich.
Krasavin-Samodurov
main stage
The play Krasavin - Samodurov will primarily be of interest to connoisseurs of modern ballet dance. The staging by the famous domestic choreographer Vyacheslav Samodurov to the music of Yuri Krasavin surprises with original plastic solutions and virtuoso skills of the performers, among whom are bright stars of the Bolshoi Ballet Company.
Premiere
Coppelia
main stage
The classical ballet "Coppelia" was staged at the Bolshoi Theater in the original choreography by 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 connoisseurs of ballet art from the capital.
Premiere
Pygmalion effect. Ballet by Boris Eifman
historical scene
The tragicomic ballet by Boris Eifman, based on the famous play by Bernard Shaw Pygmalion, is notable for the subtle elaboration of characters, the sophistication of choreographic numbers and the skill of the performers. This production at the Bolshoi Theater is presented by the Boris Eifman Ballet Theatre.
Premiere
Boris Eifman's ballet Up & Down (Tender is the night)
historical scene
The performance “Up & DownВ” at the Bolshoi, tickets for which you can purchase on our website right now, will open the capital tour of the famous St. Petersburg State Academic Ballet Theater in autumn. Its permanent leader 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 a lot of enthusiastic responses.
sleeping Beauty
historical scene
The legendary ballet by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky has returned to the stage of the Bolshoi Theatre. This wonderful performance was staged in a choreographic version by the famous choreographer Yuri Grigorovich, based on the classical choreography by Marius Petipa.
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. The motifs of Marius Peptipa are used. BALLET IN TWO ACTS
Swan Lake
historical scene
The battle between light and dark beginnings will make the heart tremble more than once in the hope of happiness and break against the sharp stones of disappointment in the rhythm of the waves of the mysterious mountain lake. The ballet features fragments of choreography by Marius Petipa, Lev Ivanov and Alexander Gorsky.
Marco Spada
historical scene
The legendary ballet by Marco Spada will finally be staged at the Bolshoi Theatre, and this event has been long awaited. Ballet fans have recently become quite active, as this phenomenon is out of the ordinary.
lady with camellias
historical scene
The legendary ballet performance by John Neumeier at the Bolshoi Theater is the mesmerizing 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 directed 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 theater-goers can see the legendary performance of Don Quixote, one of the most popular ballet performances, on the stage of the Bolshoi Theater. The success of this ballet is based on the wonderful music of Ludwig Minkus, perfect scenography and mesmerizing dance numbers performed by the leading soloists of the Bolshoi Ballet Company.
Jewelry
historical scene
Ballet "Jewels". Ballet in three parts by George Balanchine. The world premiere took place on April 13, 1967 in New York. At the Mariinsky Theater - October 30, 1999. BALLET BY GEORGE BALANCHIN IN THREE PARTS
Karamazov. Ballet by Boris Eifman
main stage
The legendary Boris Eifman Theater will show the play "The Karamazovs" on the stage of the Bolshoi Theatre. This production is one of the brightest works in the repertoire of the avant-garde theater, successfully touring all over the world.
Moidodyr
main stage
Fantasy ballet "MoydodyrV" won the First competition for the creation of an opera and ballet of a large form. The chairman of the competition jury, Andrey Eshpay, noted that many interesting works by contemporary authors have appeared recently, and, of course, one of the most striking is the ballet “MoydodyrV” by Efrem Podgayets. V V V BALLET-FANTASY IN TWO PICTURES
Ivan groznyj
historical scene
The first tsar of all Rus', Ivan the Terrible, ruled for 50 years. It is the image of the autocrat that is the key figure in the ballet to music by Sergei Prokofiev. The era in which he ruled the state is very accurately reflected in this performance. BALLET IN TWO ACTS
Benefits of Nikolai Tsiskaridze
main stage
Nikolai Tsiskaridze's benefit performance is a bright performance, which includes the best choreographic numbers from the rich repertoire of the famous Russian dancer, who became famous for his performances on the stage of the best musical theaters and has a whole army of loyal fans.
Bolt
main stage
The Bolshoi Theater turned to Dmitri Shostakovich's "industrial" ballet, which was created in the early 1930s and removed from the stage immediately after the premiere. The famous choreographer Alexei Ratmansky created a new edition and staged a performance that is distinguished by 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 the wonderful music of 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.
bayadère
historical scene
Fans of ballet art have a unique opportunity to see the production of the outstanding domestic choreographer Yuri Grigorovich, who recreated the author's version of the famous ballet by Marius Petipa on the stage of the Bolshoi Theater.
Pharaoh's daughter
historical scene
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 the French director Pierre Lacotte. BALLET IN THREE ACTS
A futile precaution
main stage
Ballet A Vain Precaution at the Bolshoi Theater is a wonderful gift for true fans of ballet art who will see a brilliant production by Yuri Grigorovich. The main roles in this memorable and talented production are performed by bright stars of the national ballet scene.
Corsair
historical scene
The ancient ballet Corsair returned to the stage of the Bolshoi Theatre. Today, this performance can be seen in the form in which it was conceived in the middle of the 19th century by the French composer Adolphe Adam and choreographer Marius Petipa. This unique production is one of the brightest performances on the capital's stage.
A dream in a summer night
historical scene
Ballet A Midsummer Night's Dream choreographed by George Balanchine is an amazingly beautiful performance, embellished with the wonderful music of Felix Mendelssohn, expressive scenography, wonderful choreographic numbers and talented performances of the leading soloists of the Bolshoi Ballet Company.
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 director of the Comédie Francaise Guillaume Gallien took part. The main parts in the performance are performed by the leading soloists of the Bolshoi Ballet Company.
Romeo and Juliet
historical scene
The legendary play by William Shakespeare has become 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.
historical scene
One of the best European ballets is once again on tour in Russia, and without any doubt will make another sensation. This ballet has set a completely new standard of quality, and one can be proud that some of our country's natives are in its composition. IN
Romeo and Juliet
main stage
Sergei Prokofiev's ballet, based on the famous play by William Shakespeare, is returning to the stage of the Bolshoi Theatre. Talented choreographer Alexei Ratmansky, known for his bright productions, offered his own version of this wonderful work.
Chopiniana, Divertimento
main stage
Chopiniana by Mikhail Fokine was the first performance in the genre of plotless ballet. 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 eventually became one of the symbols of modern ballet. Outstanding choreographers at different times turned to this work. On the stage of the Bolshoi Theatre, the Rite of Spring will be performed by bright stars of the national ballet.
What does the day owe to the night
main stage
In Hervé Kubi's performance, classical choreography is intertwined in an unexpected way with modern styles such as hip-hop and capoeira. Thanks to courageous work and ingenuity, the performances of the team have really become legendary.
Hamlet
main stage
The ballet Hamlet became an unexpected and bright 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 "Hero of Our Time" at 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 "A Hero of Our Time". The play by Mikhail Lermontov was first published in St. Petersburg in two books, and this was in 1840. Lermontov always wrote interesting novels, on which one can put not only wonderful instructive and historical performances, but also the opportunity to make a documentary film or show one’s written story in the cinema.
Requiem. Ballet by Boris Eifman
main stage
Giuseppe Verdi's "Requiem B" is distinguished by a variety of musical themes, an unconventional approach to the construction of the mass, and bright, emotional fragments. At the Bolshoi Theatre, this famous work will be performed by the leading soloists of the opera troupe and the orchestra conducted by Tugan Sokhiev.
Concert of ballet soloists
main stage
Tickets for the concert of soloists of the Bolshoi Ballet will allow you to see the stars of the troupe on the legendary stage. In general, ballet in Moscow began in 1780 at the corner of Petrovka Street, where the first professional troupe and the first production of The Magic Shop were located.
October 15, 1581 at court Catherine de Medici the guests were shown an unprecedented action - the first ballet in the history of France. Since then, the world has seen hundreds of new productions, but not all of them were successful and remembered by the viewer. AiF.ru has collected the most popular ballets, viewing which will definitely expand your horizons.
"Giselle"
Story: the premiere of the ballet took place on June 28, 1841 in Paris. The Russian public saw the production within the walls of the Bolshoi Theater only two years later. Since then, Giselle has never left the Russian stage for a long time. Dancers of the first magnitude shone in the image of the main character: Pavlova, Spesivtsev, Ulanova, Bessmertnova, Maksimova and etc.
Plot: the story of first love and cruel betrayal. Disguised as a peasant, nobleman Albert seduces an unsuspecting village girl. But the deception is quickly revealed. When Giselle learns that her lover already has a bride from high society, she goes crazy and dies.
At night, Albert comes to the girl's grave, where he almost dies at the hands of the jeeps - brides who died before the wedding. It is Giselle who saves the young man.
"Swan Lake"
Story: ballet to music Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky fell in love with the public not immediately. The debut ended in complete failure. The audience appreciated "Swan Lake" only after its original choreography was edited by choreographers Lev Ivanov and Marius Petipa. The new version of the production was shown to the public in 1895, on the stage of the Mariinsky Theatre. In Soviet times, it was "Swan Lake" that became the hallmark of the country. The ballet was shown to all high-ranking guests who visited Moscow.
Plot: The production is based on the legend of Princess Odette, who is turned into a swan by the evil sorcerer Rothbart. The one who sincerely loves her and takes an oath of allegiance can save the girl. Prince Siegfried makes such a promise, but breaks it during the ball, when Odile appears on it, like two drops of water similar to Odette. For the swan girl, this means only one thing - she will never be able to return to her former life.
"Romeo and Juliet"
Story: The music for the world famous ballet was written Sergei Prokofiev back in 1935, but the audience saw the production itself three years later, and not in Moscow or Leningrad, but in the Czech Republic, in the city of Brno. Tragedy in the Soviet Union Shakespeare shown only in 1940. The leading role then shone legendary Ulanova. By the way, the dancer (like many others) did not understand the music of the maestro. After the premiere, she made a playful toast: "There is no sadder story in the world than Prokofiev's music in ballet."
Plot: the ballet completely and completely coincides with Shakespeare's interpretation - lovers from warring families get married in secret from their relatives, but die by a tragic accident.
"La Bayadère"
Story: La Bayadère is one of the most famous ballets of the Russian imperial stage. The production was first presented to the general public in 1877, on the stage of the St. Petersburg Bolshoi Theater. And in 1904 choreographer Alexander Gorsky brought her to the capital. Over time, "La Bayadère" was subjected to numerous alterations, only the scene of "Shadow" performed by the corps de ballet remained unchanged. She is rightfully considered a real decoration of the entire production and a real achievement of choreographer Petipa.
Plot: love breaks out between Solor and the bayadère (dancer) Nikiya. However, the girl likes not only her chosen one, but also the Great Brahmin, who, having received the refusal of the beauty, decides to take revenge on her. Raja Dugmanta also wants the death of the bayadère, because he dreams of marrying his daughter to Solor. As a result of the conspiracy, the girl dies from a snake bite, which her enemies hide in a bouquet.
The strongest part of La Bayadère is the scene of The Shadow. When Solor falls asleep, he sees an incredible picture: a dance of the shadows of dead souls descends in a long line along the gorge among the Himalayas, among them is Nikiya, who calls him to her.
"Spartacus"
Story: the premiere of the ballet took place on December 27, 1956 in St. Petersburg, and in 1958 - in Moscow. Perhaps the most famous performers of the main male parts in the Soviet period can be called Vladimir Vasiliev and Marisa Liepa. Various historical materials and fiction served as the basis for the script.
Plot: In this ballet, the love line fades into the background against the backdrop of the confrontation between the two main characters Spartacus and Crassus.
Spartacus raises an uprising among the gladiators, he manages to win, but Crassus does not want to give up and begins a new campaign against his enemy. This time luck is on his side. Spartacus fights to the last, but dies in an unequal battle: most of his allies simply chickened out and refused to repulse the enemy.
I do not quite understand people who reject everything Western, especially when it comes to art. It is no secret that Russia lagged behind the developing Western world in many areas. Much that we have today is nothing but the successfully adopted experience of Western countries. It seemed to be almost everything, not counting, of course, everything folk, original, which was historically formed exclusively in Russia.
Paradoxically, the Russian people, adopting the experience of their Western neighbors, skillfully adapted for themselves, adding their own vision. And in the end, the "Western product" in the Russian view was much more interesting and "tastier". One of the most striking examples is the Russian Ballet, the most respected ballet in the world. Reference. And this is despite the fact that it was not born in Russia.
In the modern world, professional ballet is the highest stage of choreography (from the Greek choreia - dance and grapho - I write), in which dance art rises to the level of musical stage performance.
Today it is not always easy to figure out exactly where ballet in its purest form originated. Therefore, it is easiest to refer to more or less reliable sources.
All I understood was that the adventurous French were adopting a "new kind of dance" from the art-crazed Italians; before them, ballet allegedly existed in ancient Greece and Rome ... In Russia, it was demonstrated much later and was “brought” from France.
It is in Russia that ballet reaches its true flowering, becoming one of the hallmarks of the country and Russian art.
So, 22 curious facts about Russian ballet
1. The first ballet troupe of national importance appeared in Russia in the first half of the 18th century. It was the imperial ballet of St. Petersburg. At the same time, the concept of performances began to change - from mythological and dramatic plots to romantic tales. The plot had an impact on the dance technique - the ballerinas went up on pointe shoes to further emphasize the external lightness and ephemeral nature of the dance as opposed to reality.
2. Russian diplomats and merchants, when they were abroad, visited theaters and willingly went to ballet performances - there they did not have to deal with foreign speech with difficulty. And the ballet of that time was the brainchild of not only the choreographer, but also theatrical mechanics. Fantastic characters rode outlandish chariots, the scenery changed with incomprehensible speed, some heroes fell through the ground, others flew from heaven. How can you not get excited! It was the chariots that became almost the main participants in the first Russian "Ballet of Orpheus and Eurydice" - the first ballet performance in Russia, held on Shrovetide on February 17, 1672 at the court of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich in Preobrazhensky. True, there is a version that this performance was shown on February 8, 1675.
Before the start of the performance, an actor portraying Orpheus came on stage and sang German couplets, translated to the tsar by an interpreter, in which the beautiful properties of the soul of Alexei Mikhailovich were extolled. At this time, on both sides of Orpheus, there were two pyramids decorated with banners and illuminated with multi-colored lights, which, after the song of Orpheus, began to dance.
After the death of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, theatrical performances ceased for a long time - until the beloved sister of Tsar Peter Alekseevich Natalya became interested in dramaturgy, and Peter himself decided to build a theater in Moscow - where the Historical Museum is now. In 1702, the tsar hired the Dutchman Jacob Kokkiy and his two sons in the Moscow theater. But things did not work out - the Dutch did not know how to teach dance art and only complained that there were no suitable performers.
3. From the 1st half of the 18th century. ballet in Russia began to be inculcated by choreographers and dance teachers from Italy and France. Possessing its rich dance folklore, Russia turned out to be a very fertile ground for the development of the ballet theater. Comprehending the science taught by foreigners, the Russians, in turn, introduced their own intonations into the foreign dance.
4. Based on the decree of Peter I, ballroom dancing became the main part of court etiquette.
In 1731, the Land Gentry Corps was opened in St. Petersburg, which was destined to become the cradle of Russian ballet. Since the graduates of the corps in the future had to hold high government positions and needed knowledge of secular manners, a significant place was given to the study of fine arts, including ballroom dancing, in the corps. In 1734, the French dancer, choreographer, Jean-Baptiste Lande, who is considered the founder of Russian ballet art, was enlisted as a teacher. Also, the Italian opera composer Francesco Araya was invited to St. Petersburg in 1735, and Antonio Rinaldi (Fossano) became the choreographer since 1736.
5. In specially equipped rooms of the Winter Palace, Jean-Baptiste Lande began training 12 Russian boys and girls. Pupils were recruited from children of simple origin. Education at the school was free, the pupils were fully supported.
6. Ballet in Russia was further developed during the reign of Elizabeth Petrovna. Among the cadets of the Land Corps, Nikita Beketov was especially successful in dancing, who later became Elizabeth's favorite. He enjoyed the special favor of the Empress, who herself dressed the young man, who performed excellently in female roles.
7. In 1742, the first ballet troupe was created from the students of the Lande school, and in 1743, fees began to be paid to its participants. The annual budget of the troupe, excluding the orchestra, was 33,810 rubles.
Of course, we should not forget about other ballerinas: Tamara Karsavina, Galina Ulanova, Matilda Kshesinskaya, Ekaterina Maksimova, Uliana Lopatkina ... But the biggest names in Russian ballet are behind the first two ballerinas.
18. For men in Russian ballet, the biggest names are Mikhail Baryshnikov and Nikolai Tsiskaridze.
19. Prokofiev's music for the ballet Romeo and Juliet at first seemed so incomprehensible and complex to everyone that the general meeting of the orchestra and ballet troupe, which took place two weeks before the expected premiere, unanimously decided to cancel the performance - in order to avoid a complete failure ...
At the same time, following one local wit, the whole theater repeated the same catchphrase: “There is no sadder story in the world than Prokofiev’s music in ballet ...
20. The outstanding Soviet ballerina Olga Lepeshinskaya broke her leg during a performance. The crack was so strong that even the audience in the hall could hear it. But the ballerina heroically brought the scene to the end. How she managed to do this with a triple fracture, neither the doctors nor the ballerina herself could understand.
Olga Lepeshinskaya, Walpurgis Night. Bacchante. Photo from the Bolshoi Theater Museum. 21. One of the sharpest types of ballet humiliation is a broom wrapped in newspaper. It is thrown onto the stage instead of a bouquet. Hence the behind-the-scenes saying “wait for a broom in the newspaper!”
22. The work of ballet dancers is difficult, they experience very serious loads. This is evidenced by the fact that professional ballerinas and ballet dancers get sick 4 times more often than ordinary people.
Found an error? Select it and left click Ctrl+Enter.
