Playing classics: four Stravinsky ballets presented at the Bolshoi
The Bolshoi and the Mariinsky honor Igor Stravinsky. The festival dedicated to the composer was opened with evenings of one-act ballets. On July 10 and 11, the main theaters of the country showed four ballets by the composer at once on the Historical Stage: "The Firebird", "Petrushka", "The Wedding" and "The Sacred Spring". The musical director of the large—scale production is Valery Gergiev. Izvestia tells us about the premiere.
The return of "Les Saisons Russes"
Opening the 249th season at the Bolshoi Theatre in September 2024, Valery Gergiev announced fifty premieres, which surprised journalists at the time. But the manager follows his plan exactly.
"Over the past 15 months, we have already shown about 30 productions that have not been shown here," Gergiev said now. — We do this, as they say, in four hands, using the capabilities of the Bolshoi and Mariinsky Theaters. Of course, we will continue to repay our debts to Russian composers without dragging it out for a long time.
Prokofiev, Rimsky-Korsakov, Tchaikovsky, Verdi, and now Stravinsky have returned to the Bolshoi stage. And fans could not even imagine such a celebration of his work — four one-act ballets by the composer staged by the star team at once. People's Artist of Russia Andris Liepa was engaged in the restoration of "The Firebird" and "Petrushka" choreographed by Mikhail Fokin. He was rehearsing with the GABT troupe. Mariinsky brought "The Sacred Spring" choreographed by Millicent Hodson based on the choreography by Vaclav Nijinsky and "The Wedding" choreographed by Bronislava Nijinskaya.
"Wedding party"
The first screenings took place on July 10 and 11. The stage was decorated in the style of Sergei Diaghilev's "Russian Seasons" in Paris. The same blue velvet curtain of Les Saisons Russes decorated the French Chatelet Theater. This is no coincidence. Stravinsky created his "Firebird" by order of the great impresario. The composer composed this ballet, followed by "Petrushka" and "Sacred Spring" for the entreprise.
"This is a unique page in the history of Russian ballet and theater, even unprecedented, with the performance of four ballets in one evening," said Valery Gergiev, General Director of the Bolshoi Theater, Artistic Director of the Mariinsky Theater. — Step by step, we are exploring the space that Stravinsky saw and heard. Russian Russian, he said, he thought in Russian, and at the end of his life, too, even though he had already lived in America. He was buried next to Diaghilev near Venice.
Rag toy and company
As a result, four ballets by Stravinsky, with the light hand of Valery Abisalovich, received registration on the stages of the Bolshoi and Mariinsky Theaters. To those who were lucky enough to see them, it would seem that it is inexcusable not to have his most significant works in the repertoire. "The Firebird," for example, was staged for a long time in the West, where it was very popular. She first appeared on the stage of the Bolshoi Theatre in 1964 (conductor Mark Ermler, choreography by Mikhail Fokin, artist Alexander Golovin). In 1982, the play was restored, but it did not stay in the repertoire for long and has not appeared in the walls of the Bolshoi since. Now the work of the Russian composer is on the main stages of the country.
"I am glad and happy that the Bolshoi Theater has the opportunity to make Stravinsky's evening in such an amazing volume: two of the largest and best troupes in the world unite under the leadership of Maestro Gergiev in order to create an unforgettable evening for the audience,— said People's Artist of Russia, Choreographer Andris Liepa.
"The Firebird"
The main roles were performed by leading artists of the Bolshoi and Mariinsky ballet companies. At the Sacred Spring, the audience applauded Evgenia Savkina, Elena Bazhenova, and Soslan Kulaev. In The Wedding, Yulia Spiridonova, Ekaterina Mikhailovtseva, Vasily Shcherbakov, Nikita Vronsky were responsible for the complex choreography. In the ballet "The Firebird" Artemy Belyakov appeared in the image of Ivan Tsarevich, the title role was performed by Alyona Kovaleva.
And in Petrushka, a real fair with an area theater unfolded on the stage. It was run by a bearded Magician, played by Kamil Yangurazov. Among his dolls is a ballerina Anastasia Stashkevich, an Arab Ratmir Dzhumaliev. Daniil Potaptsev, the first soloist of the Bolshoi Theatre, performed the role of Petrushka.
— This is one of the most interesting games, — said Daniil Potaptsev, — It was unusual to portray a rag doll. To achieve the plastic surgery of Parsley, it was necessary to relax, but not to forget about the choreography. He has no bones, his legs can't hold him up, they're buckling. He wants to, but he can't do anything.
"Petrushka"
For modern creative groups, working with Stravinsky's materials is an honor and becomes an opportunity to touch the great ones not only in the person of the composer. Benoit and Leon Bakst worked on the design of "The Firebird" and "Petrushka" for Diaghilev's "Russian Seasons" in Paris. Nicholas Roerich created the sets and costumes for the Sacred Spring. And for the "Wedding Party" — Natalia Goncharova. What's not a name is height.
"This reconstruction of the ballets is a homage to the great masters," says costume designer Anatoly Nezhny. — It is a great happiness for all of us just to touch this material.
It was the task of Alyona Kovaleva, who plays the role of the Firebird, to create a fairy tale on stage. Despite the fact that Stravinsky's music is not easy, but rehearsals and numerous auditions have led to ease of performance.
— For me, it was an intense work with Andris Liepa, who transferred the play to the stage of the Bolshoi Theater, — admits prima ballerina Alyona Kovaleva. — We were looking for new colors, inspired by the performers of previous years. Nina Ananiashvili was my guide. She created an epic image of the Firebird.
"The Sacred Spring"
There was a masterpiece of choreography, music and fine art on the stage that evening. And despite the fact that the performance ended almost at midnight, the audience did not leave, they watched all four acts. On July 13 and 14, the audience can appreciate the work of the Bolshoi Theater choreographers. The playbill of the GABT features two of Stravinsky's four one—act ballets, Petrushka and The Firebird.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
