Classical Ballet Peter Tchaikovsky "Swan Lake" (fantasy ballet in three acts (four scenes)) World famous Mariinsky Ballet and Opera - established 1783
Schedule for Peter Tchaikovsky "Swan Lake" (fantasy ballet in three acts (four scenes)) 2022
Orchestra: Mariinsky Theatre Symphony Orchestra
World premiere: 27 February 1877, Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow, Russia
Swan Lake, the treasure of the Russian Classical
Ballet ballet, form the basis of the ballet repertoire of the
Mariinsky Theater: more than a hundred years ago, it was
choreographed by Marius Petipa and is considered
to be a hallmark of the Mariinsky Ballet. This classical
masterpiece was performed almost uncountable number of times at the
Mariinsky Theatre and in the course of numerous tours.
Libretto - Vladimir Begichev, Vasily Geltzer Costume
design: Galina Solovyova
World premiere: 20 February 1877, Bolshoi
Theatre, Moscow (choreography by Julius Reisinger) Premiere in St Petersburg:
15 January 1895, Mariinsky Theatre (choreography by Lev Ivanov and Marius
Petipa) Premiere of Konstantin Sergeyev’s version: 8 March 1950, Kirov
Theatre, Leningrad
“Swan Lake”
It is difficult to understand
these days how it could have happened that the first show of the “Lake” in 1877,
in Moscow’s Bolshoi, was a flop, and that it took many years for the ballet to
achieve its worldwide cult status. The composer, Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky, never
lived to see the ultimate success of his creation.
The story begins in 1875, when Bolshoi commissions a ballet score
from the young but already famous composer. It was not yet customary practice
–despite Tchaikovsky fame and previous successes, which included four
symphonies, the now famous Piano Concerto and “Eugene Onegin” opera, the
Imperial Theatres of the time would normally employ the composers on Imperial
payroll, such as Cesare Pugni, Ludwig Minkus, and Riccardo Drigo. Keeping that
in mind, Tchaikovsky did not embark on the course of a revolution in the Russian
ballet, and studied the classic ballet scores assiduously, planning to produce a
score that would be in tune with the established tradition but at the same time
would sound new and interesting. The task of composition occupied him from May
1875 to April 1876. The story was a knightly fairy tale, and historians still
debate the literary origins –some opt for Heine, some for Musaeus, a German
fairy-tale writer, some for Russian folklore fairy tales, some even for Pushkin.
The first show took place on February 20, 1877, and was a flop.
The critics reviled the chief choreographer, Wentsel Reisinger, and were short
on praise for Polina (Pelageya) Karpakova, the first interpreter of the main
female part. The failure of the first show was detrimental for the immediate
reputation of the ballet itself, and for quite some time nobody dared to stage
it again.
The situation changed after Tchaikovsky’s death. In 1893, Mariinka
decided to revive the “Swan Lake”. A new version of the libretto and the music
was to be produced by Modest Tchaikovsky, the composer’s brother, Ivan
Vsevolzhsky, the director of the Imperial Theatres himself, and by Riccardo
Drigo. The latter used the original music as a source material for a completely
new score. The choreography was supervised by Marius Petipa and his pupil Lev
Ivanov. The tradition claims that while Petipa was the father of the unique
choreography of the new ballet, its truly Russian singing character is there
thanks to Ivanov. The lake and swan scenes, famous for their perfection, are
undoubtedly his alone. It was Ivanov who came up with the idea of enchanted
ladies with their criss-crossed arms and heads tilted to one side, which every
spectator immediately recognized for birds that sit with their wings folded. The
very magical world of the swan lake was created by Ivanov. Petipa’s are the
scenes of courtly dances and festivities and their intricate lace of waltzes and
various dances – Spanish, Hungarian, Polish. Petipa also created an antipode for
Ivanov’s White Queen of Swans –its black twin Odile, and its beautiful black
pas-de-deux of the second act.
It was this particular stage version that came to be admired as
the pinnacle of Russian ballet. This production, as none other, was the perfect
setting for many famous dancers to showcase their art. The Swan Lake is a unique
and perfect creation, and despite the changing musical and dancing fashions, the
performance of Odette and Odile parts is still considered a touchstone for the
mettle of any serious dancer. The White Swan is truly a symbol of Russian
Ballet, of its beauty and magnificence.
Synopsis
ACT I
Scene one The terrace of castle is filled with joy and merriment - Prince
Siegfried is celebrating his coming of age, his courtiers congratulate him while
his mischievous jester entertains the assembles guests. The servants announce
the arrival of his mother the queen, she presents her son with a crossbow for
the hunt. The queen reminds her son that at tomorrow coming of age ball he will
have to choose a bride. Night is fast approaching and the guests take leave,
Siegfried is finally alone with his thoughts and premonitions of what the future
may bring. In the twilight a flock of swans pass over and he rushes to the lake.
Scene two At the lake in the heart
of the forest, the swans having stepped ashore turn into beautiful young girls
Siegfried about to draw his crossbow stops fascinated by their beauty. Odette
the swan princess is startled by Siegfrieds presence, he assures her no harm
will come to her. Odette tells him of her terrible plight. Tells him of her high
birth and how she has fallen under the spell of be a swan and only in the hours
of darkness to assume her human form. She tells him she is bound for eternity by
the spell unless an unblemished youth swears eternal fidelity and marries her.
Siegfried realizes his destiny has changed. Day is breaking, the swans are again
swimming on the lake, Odette bids a sad farewell, Siegfried is left desolate.
ACT II
Scene three The coming of age ball commences at the castle. The young
noblewoman whom the Queen has chosen as prospective brides are presented to
Prince Siegfried, he shows no interest thinking only of Odette. The
entertainment and merrymaking continue until a fanfare announces the arrival of
more guests. Rothbart disguised as a knight sweeps in with his daughter Odille,
Siegfried is dazzled by her beauty and her resemblance to Odette, swears his
love and fidelity... Rothbart the sorcerer triumphs in his deception. Siegfried
horrified at what he has done rushes from the ball and into the night.
ACT III
Scene four At the lakeside Odette tells her fellow swans of Rothbarts
devilish trickery. Siegfried fleeing from the ball arrives at the shore begging
Odette’s forgiveness and telling of his undying love for her. Rothbart appears
and he and his black swans battle with Siegfried and the forces of good until
the light of the dawn breaks and the forces of evil are vanquished. The rising
sun gives birth to new life, happiness and
love.
Characters
© State Academic Mariinkiy Opera and Ballet
theatre
Photos © 2000-2006 Marc Haegeman
Provided by Wikipedia -
Swan Lake
© Text 2010 Art and Culture Magazine "St Peterburg"
Schedule for Peter Tchaikovsky "Swan Lake" (fantasy ballet in three acts (four scenes)) 2022
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