Swan Lake, a ballet to the music of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, is the world's most famous theater production. The masterpiece of choreography was created more than 130 years ago and is still considered the unsurpassed achievement of Russian culture. "Swan Lake" - ballet for all time, the standard of high art. The greatest ballerinas in the world considered it an honor to play the role of Odette. The White Swan, a symbol of the greatness and beauty of Russian ballet, is at an unattainable height and is one of the largest "gems" in the "crown" of world culture.
Performance at the Bolshoi Theater
The plot of the ballet "Swan Lake" reveals a fabulous story about the Princess (swan) named Odette and Prince Siegfried.
Each performance of Swan Lake at the Bolshoi Theater is a holiday, accompanied by the immortal music of Tchaikovsky and magnificent original choreography. Colorful costumes and scenery, the impeccable dance of soloists and corps de ballet create an overall picture of high art. The hall of the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow is always full when the Swan Lake ballet is on stage - the best thing in the world of ballet art over the past 150 years. The performance takes place with two intermissions and lasts two and a half hours. The symphony orchestra continues to quietly play a musical theme for a while. The plot of the ballet Swan Lake leaves no one indifferent, the audience empathizes with the characters from the very beginning, and towards the end of the play, the drama reaches its climax. After the end of the ballet, the audience has not diverged for a long time. Figuratively expressed his admiration for one of the spectators who came to Moscow and visited the Bolshoi Theater: "I regret that it is impossible to bring so many flowers to the show to present all the artists, it would take several trucks." These are the best words of thanks that have ever heard the walls of the Bolshoi Theater.
Swan Lake: History
The legendary ballet production began in 1875, when the Bolshoi Theater directorate ordered the young composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky to play a new performance called Swan Lake. The creative project involved updating the repertoire. For this, they decided to create a production of Swan Lake. Tchaikovsky at that time was not yet a well-known composer, although he composed four symphonies and the opera Eugene Onegin. He enthusiastically set to work. For the play "Swan Lake", music was written for one year. Sheet music composer presented the direction of the Bolshoi Theater in April 1876.
Libretto
The libretto of the play was written by the famous theatrical figure of that time, Vladimir Begichev, in collaboration with the ballet dancer Vasily Geltser. It is still unclear which literary source served as the basis for the production. Some believe that the plot of the work was borrowed from Heinrich Heine, others believe that the prototype was the “White Swan” by Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin, but then it’s not clear what to do with the protagonist of the fairy tale, Prince Gvidon, since he as a character is closely connected with the image of the noble birds. Be that as it may, the libretto turned out to be successful, and work began on the play Swan Lake. Tchaikovsky attended rehearsals and took a live part in the production.
Failure
The Bolshoi Theater troupe inspiredly worked on the play. The plot of the ballet Swan Lake seemed original to everyone, with elements of something new. Rehearsals continued until late at night, no one was in a hurry to leave. It never occurred to anyone that disappointment could soon come. The play "Swan Lake", whose history was rather complicated, was preparing for the premiere. The theater audience was looking forward to this event.
The premiere of Swan Lake took place in February 1877 and, unfortunately, was unsuccessful. In fact, it was a failure. The first thing responsible for the fiasco was the choreographer of the play, Wenzel Reisinger, and then the ballerina, who played the role of Odette, Polina Karpakova, got it. Swan Lake was abandoned, and all the scores were temporarily "put on the shelf."
The return of the play
In 1893, Tchaikovsky died. And suddenly, in a theatrical environment, it was decided to return to the play "Swan Lake", the music for which was simply wonderful. It only remained to restore the performance in the new edition, to update the choreography. This was decided to do in memory of the untimely departed composer. A new libretto volunteered to create Modest Tchaikovsky, brother of Peter Ilyich, and Ivan Vsevolozhsky, director of the Imperial Theater. The musical part was taken up by the famous bandmaster Ricardo Drigo, who in a short time managed to re-arrange the entire composition and compose the updated work. The choreographic part was reworked by the famous choreographer, Marius Petipa, and his student - Lev Ivanov.
New reading
It is believed that Petipa recreated the choreography of the ballet Swan Lake, but Lev Ivanov, who managed to combine the diverse singing and the unique charm of the Russian expanses, gave a truly Russian flavor to the performance. All this is present on the stage during the performance. Ivanov composed enchanted girls with arms crossed and a special tilt of their heads, dancing four of them. The touching and elusively attractive charm of Swan Lake is also the merit of the talented assistant Marius Petipa. The performance "Swan Lake", the content and artistic coloring of which in the new reading has improved significantly, was ready to go on stage in the new edition, but before that the choreographer Petipa decided to set the bar of the aesthetic level of performance even higher and re-played all the ball scenes in the Palace of the Sovereign Princess as well as court festivities with Polish, Spanish and Hungarian dances. Marius Petipa contrasted Odile, the black swan, to the white swan queen invented by Ivanov, creating an amazing “black” pas de deux in the second act. The effect was amazing.
The plot of the ballet "Swan Lake" in the new production was enriched, became more interesting. The maestro with his assistants continued to improve solo parts and their interaction with the corps de ballet. Thus, the play "Swan Lake", the content and artistic coloring of which in the new reading has improved significantly, was soon completely ready to go on stage.
New solution
In 1950, the choreographer of the Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg proposed a new version of Swan Lake. According to his plan, the tragic ending of the play was abolished, the white swan did not die, everything ended with a happy end. Such changes in the theatrical sphere often happened, in Soviet times it was considered a good form to embellish events. However, the performance did not benefit from such a change, on the contrary, it became not so interesting, although part of the public welcomed the new edition of the production.
Respectful teams adhered to the previous edition. The classic version is also supported by the fact that the tragedy of the finale was originally conceived as an in-depth interpretation of the entire work, and replacing it with a happy ending looked somewhat unexpected.
Summary of ballet
Act one. First picture
On the stage is a huge park, century-old trees turn green. In the distance you can see the castle in which the sovereign princess lives. On the lawn between the trees, Prince Siegfried celebrates coming of age with his friends. Young people raise goblets of wine, drink for the health of their friend, fun beats over the edge, everyone wants to dance. The jester sets the tone, starting to dance. Suddenly, Siegfried's mother, the Sovereign Princess, appears in the park. All those present try to hide the traces of the revel, but the buffoon inadvertently knocks over the goblets. The princess frowns in displeasure, she is ready to throw out her indignation. Here she is presented with a bouquet of roses, and the severity is softened. The princess turns and leaves, and the fun flares up with renewed vigor. Then darkness comes, the guests disperse. Siegfried remains alone, but he does not want to go home. A flock of swans flies high in the sky. The prince takes a crossbow and sets off to hunt.
The second picture
Dense forest. Among the thickets is a large lake. White swans are floating in the water. Although their movements are smooth, some elusive anxiety is felt. Birds rush about, as if something disturbs their peace. These are enchanted girls, only after midnight can they take on a human form. The evil wizard Rothbart, the owner of the lake, dominates the defenseless beauties. And on the shore Siegfried appears with a crossbow in his hands, who decided to hunt. He is about to fire an arrow into a white swan. Another moment, and an arrow to death pierces a noble bird. But suddenly the swan turns into a girl of unspeakable beauty and grace. This is the swan queen, Odette. Siegfried is fascinated; he has never seen such a beautiful face. The prince is trying to get acquainted with the beauty, but she escapes. After several unsuccessful attempts, Siegfried finds Odette in a circle of girlfriends and declares her love. The prince’s words touch the girl’s heart, she hopes to find in him a savior from the power of Rothbart. Soon, dawn should come, and all the beauties with the first rays of the sun will again turn into birds. Odette gently says goodbye to Siegfried, swans slowly float away through the water. There is an understatement between the young people, but they are forced to leave, because the evil sorcerer Rothbart carefully watches what is happening, and he will not allow anyone to escape his witchcraft. Without exception, all girls must become birds and remain enchanted until nightfall. Siegfried remains to retire, so as not to endanger the white swans.
Act two. The third picture
In the castle of the Sovereign Princess ball. Among those present there are many girls of noble birth, one of them should become the chosen one of Siegfried. However, the prince does not honor anyone. In his thoughts Odette. Meanwhile, Siegfried's mother tries her best to impose on him one of her favorites, but to no avail. Nevertheless, in accordance with etiquette, the prince is obliged to make a choice and give the beloved a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Fanfares sound announcing the arrival of new guests. The evil wizard Rothbart appears. Next to the sorcerer is his daughter, Odile. She, like two drops of water, looks like an Odette. Rothbart hopes that the prince will be fascinated by his daughter, forget Odette, and she will forever remain in the grip of the evil wizard.
Odile manages to seduce Siegfried, he is passionate about her. The prince announces to his mother that his choice is Odile, and immediately declares his love to the treacherous girl. Suddenly Siegfried sees a beautiful white swan in the window, he casts off his witching charms and runs to the lake, but late - Odette is lost forever, she is exhausted, faithful swan friends are around, but they are no longer able to help.
Act Three. The fourth picture
Deep, quiet night. On the beach are drooping girls. They know about the grief that befell Odette. However, not everything is lost - Siegfried resorts and on his knees begs his beloved to forgive him. And then a flock of black swans flies in, led by the sorcerer Rothbart. Siegfried fights with him and wins, breaking the wing of an evil wizard. The black swan dies, and witchcraft disappears with it. The rising sun illuminates Odette, Siegfried and dancing girls who no longer have to turn into swans.
Reviews of the ballet "Swan Lake"
For more than 130 years of the legendary performance, the organizers, theater administrators, and representatives of the Bolshoi Theater Directorate in Moscow will not recall a single negative review. Grateful spectators with rare unanimity note the magnificent dance technique of soloists and corps de ballet, music. The performance "Swan Lake", reviews of which are delightful, is constantly updated. The generation of artists has changed more than once, many are no longer with us, and the ballet lives on, new young talents come and continue the traditions of the Bolshoi Theater. Visually speak excellently about each composition. An unrivaled masterpiece of ballet art, Swan Lake, reviews of which are an incentive for further development, lives and will live.
Rudolf Nuriev
The leading roles in the play "Swan Lake" were performed by many talented dancers. However, a real sensation was made in 1964 on the stage of the Vienna Opera by the English ballerina Margot Fontaine (Odette) and Rudolf Nuriev (Siegfried). After the curtain fell, the artists were called for an encore eighty-nine times.
"Swan Lake", Nuriev Rudolph, Fontaine Margot - these phrases have long been heard and did not leave the pages of the world press.
A masterpiece of ballet art today
Currently, the legendary ballet performance is being held at two major theater venues in Russia - the stage of the Bolshoi Theater and the Russian Ballet Theater in St. Petersburg. "Swan Lake" today exists in several versions, each of which has the right to life. At the Bolshoi Theater, the production is entrusted to the famous choreographer Yuri Grigorovich. The first version of the play with a tragic ending was created by him back in 1969. However, the USSR Ministry of Culture then did not agree to the death of Odette and Siegfried. Grigorovich had to redo the production of a happy ending. In a new interpretation, the performance lasted in the repertoire of the Bolshoi Theater until 1997. After a break, in 2001, Grigorovich creates another version, shortened, consisting of two acts, and at the same time he returns the tragic ending to the ballet. Today's reading of Swan Lake directed by Yuri Grigorovich is a swift action with the inclusion of fragments of choreography by Marius Petipa, Lev Ivanov and Gorsky.
The scenery in the play is very expensive, they are luxurious, but Swan Lake is definitely worth it. The performance is attended by star performers from the Bolshoi Theater troupe: Maria Alexandrova, Svetlana Zakharova, Nikolai Tsiskaridze, Sergey Filin, Andrey Uvarov.
"Swan Lake" is a theatrical ballet production of the highest level, it must meet the requirements of the modern public. Therefore, the Bolshoi Directorate does not take into account the costs, the performance receives as much money as necessary.
A modern production called "Swan Lake" (photos of individual fragments are presented on the page) is somewhat different from the classical versions of the past, but for the better. Choreography by maestro Petipa is present in all versions.
"Swan Lake", ballet, theater, high art - all these words are taken from one common source, which is called "Great Russian Culture".