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30 October, 31 October and 1 November on the stage of the Mikhailovsky Classical Ballet and Opera Theatre will take
place the premiere of the Ballet by Sergei Prokofiev "Romeo and Juliet" (Oleg Vinogradov version).
This performance also will be
played on 21 November and 22 November.
Romeo and Juliet is a ballet by Sergei Prokofiev based on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
Music from the ballet was extracted by Prokofiev as three suites for orchestra
and as a piano work.
The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy by William Shakespeare
concerning two young "star-cross’d lovers" and the role played by their tragic
suicides in ending a long-running family feud. It is one of the most famous of
Shakespeare’s plays, one of his earliest theatrical triumphs, and is thought to
be the most archetypal love story of the Renaissance and indeed the history of
Western culture.
Several ballet adaptations of the story have been made, the first written in
the 18th century. The best known feature music by Sergei Prokofiev, and a
variety of choreographers have used this music. The first version featuring
Prokofiev’s music was performed in 1938.
Ballet in 3 Acts with 2 intervals.
Running
time: 2 hours 40 minutes
Composer: Sergei Prokofiev
Set Designer: Semyon Pastukh
Choreography: Oleg Vinogradov
Premiere: 30 October 2008
Synopsis
FIRST ACT
Verona. A morning. City still sleeping. Only Romeo is not sleeping. He
wanders along empty streets submersed in dreams of love.
Step-by-step revive streets, there are early passers - by. Servants go out of
an inn , clean desktops.
Tybald, nephew of the Capulets comes out. He is the searcher for adventures
and fighter, he only waits for a case to battle to the hated Montagues. He sees
Benvolio, nephew of Motagues. The case was presented. The combat starts. On a
noise run out people from the houses of the Montagues and Capulets. The combat
inflames. City is waken up. Strokes of an alarm are heard.
Young nobleman, Paris, are coming to Montagues to ask Juliet to be his wife.
But the master of the house doesn’t even notice him, he hurries to join the
fighters.
There is a duke of a Verona on the scene . He commands to lay down arms. The
duke declares, that from this time, the one who will conceive combat with
weapons in arms, will be executed. The people go away, satisfied by the order of
the duke.
Room of Juliet. She is cheerful, she teases the Benefactress, throws in her
cushions, hides from her. The cheerful games are stopped by the mother of
Juliet. She strictly orders to stop playing. Then the mother takes her by an arm
and they approach to a mirror. Juliet is an adult.
Dancing party in the palace of the Capulets. All nobles of Verona are
gathered there. On a dancing party there are singers, musicians, girl friends of
Juliet and Paris with his page. Cheerfully laughing, passes Mercutio.
Ballroom in the house of the Capulets. Behind desktops the visitors talk
ceremonially. The dances start. Everyone ask Juliet to dance. Her dance is full
of purity, charm, and poetry. There is Romeo in a hall. He is unable to tear his
eyes off her. Romeo approaches to Juliet and speaks to her about the feelings.
The mask rolls off from his face. Juliet is charmed by beauty and nobleness of
his face. She is already in love. But this scene is seen by Tybald. He
recognizes Romeo. When the dancing party was terminated, the Benefactress
informs Juliet, that Romeo – Montagues, their enemy.
But it will not stop Juliet. Under a cover of darkness they meet in a garden.
They speak about their love, vow fidelity.
SECOND ACT
Juliet is unable to suffer even a brief separation from him. She sends the
Benefactress to find Romeo and to give him the letter. The Benefactress and
accompanying her servant appear in the center of a carnival. Everyone dances
tarantella, sings, having fun. In crowd she finds Romeo and gives him the
letter: Juliet agrees to become his wife.
In cell of Laurence Romeo tells him about their love and asks to marry them.
Laurence is touched by purity of feelings of the beloved. He agrees. Juliet
enters, and Laurence blesses their union.
The carnival rustles and sparkles on the squares of Verona. Among turbulent
fun the friends of Romeo - Mercutio and Benvolio. There is a Tybald. He has
noted Mercutio. The combat was knotted. Romeo comes, he attempts to stop the
fighters. When Romeo removes a sword of Mercutio to prevent bloodshed, Tybald
puts Mercutio a mortal blow. Romeo is in grief. He does not remember himself. He
takes a sword of Mercutio and kills Tybald.
The Capulets are craved with revenge. Benvolio helps Romeo to hide.
THIRD ACT
Romeo gets to the bedroom his young wife. He wishes to see her before the
departure. He has to live Verona.
Morning. Juliet’s parents and the benefactress enter her bedroom. They tell
her a terrible message - day of her wedding with Paris is assigned already.
Juliet cries. But their will is unshakable.
In despair Juliet runs to Laurence. He knows how to help to business: there
is a drug, which will load Juliet in dream similar to the death. Only Romeo will
know the truth, he will secretly come to city and will steal her from a crypt
and will take away to a secure place. Juliet agrees with pleasure.
She returns home and pretends, that obeys the will of the parents. And,
having remained one, drinks the drug. In the morning Juliet is found "dead" in
the bedroom.
Autumn night in Mantuya. Romeo is told about Juliet’s death. He rushes to
Verona.
He sees a funeral cortege, and in the open coffin - his beloved. Under a
cover of night he enters the family crypt, says goodbye to Juliet and drinks the
poison. Having woken up, Juliet sees a breathless body of Romeo, blinded by
grief; she kills herself with his dagger.
The death of both children makes the inconsolable parents to conclude an
everlasting peace and in memory of two fine creatures to stop the war.
Music For the Ballet
Fragment 1
Fragment 2
Photos © 2000-2006 Marc Haegeman