The Kremlin Ballet Theater will present the comedy "Vain Precaution"

It is one of the oldest classical ballets, the same age as the Great French Revolution. His premiere took place on July 1, 1789 in Bordeaux under the title "Ballet of Straw, or From Good to Evil is just one step." The performance was staged by Jean Dauberval, a French dancer and choreographer, an artist of the Royal Academy of Music, to the music of French folk songs. The production was a resounding success, and was shown in various European cities — Vienna, Marseille, Lyon, Naples and Venice.

Later, various choreographers turned to the funny story of a pretty couple in love, Lisa and Kolena, who managed to outwit the girl's strict and vigilant mother, Simone, who dreamed of a rich groom for her daughter. Over the years, the play has been seen in productions by Charles Didelot, Jules Perrault, Irakli Nikitin, Marius Petipa, Lev Ivanov, Alexander Gorsky, Frederick Ashton and Oleg Vinogradov.

On April 23 and May 28, Yuliana Malkhasyants, Honored Artist of Russia, winner of the Golden Mask (2023), will present her version of "Vain Precaution" at the Kremlin Palace. The ballet is set to music by Louis Herold and French folk songs.

The audience will enjoy an exquisite classical dance, elegantly seasoned with witty plastic "reprises", a truly cheerful plot full of funny twists and turns, incendiary music and impressive set design. The production designer is Vyacheslav Okunev, People's Artist of Russia. The costume designer is Natalia Zemalindinova, the author of the musical concept is Olga Sokolova.

"Futile Precaution" refers to the genre of comedy ballets, which at all times were considered rare and were especially loved by the public.

In Russia, during the 19th and 20th centuries, many choreographers turned to "Vain precautions." In Moscow, this ballet called The Deceived Old Woman was first performed at the Petrovsky Theater 226 years ago, in December 1800.

For the first time, Louis Joseph Ferdinand Gerold (1791-1833) wrote music specifically for this ballet in 1828, and the version shown by the Kremlin Ballet is based on the composer's original score, which had never been fully used before in Russia! Moreover, in this case, music from other Herald ballets, as well as famous old French folk songs, were added to the main score. Composer Olga Sokolova carried out the most difficult work of recording various musical fragments and bringing them to a single style.

In the new "Vain Precaution", viewers will see for the first time, instead of the tambourine played by Simone, the French wheeled lyre, a beautiful rare musical instrument.