Classical Ballet Peter Tchaikovsky "Swan Lake" (Ballet in 3 Acts) St. Petersburg Ballet Theatre (St. Petersburg Tchaikovsky Ballet Theatre)
Running time: 2 h 40 min
Schedule for Peter Tchaikovsky "Swan Lake" (Ballet in 3 Acts) 2022
Composer: Peter Tchaikovsky Choreography: Marius Petipa Orchestra: Passage Theatre sympony orchestra
World premiere: 27 February 1877, Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow, Russia
“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.
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.
Music For Ballets Fragment 1 Fragment 2
© Text 2010 Art and Culture Magazine "St Peterburg"
Schedule for Peter Tchaikovsky "Swan Lake" (Ballet in 3 Acts) 2022
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