Tchaikovsky Swan
Must-See Ballets
The Nutcracker is a ballet in two acts with music by Tchaikovsky. The original version of the ballet was created and staged by the great Russian choreographer Marius Pepita in December 1892 however The Nutcracker has been staged many times, choreographed by ballet greats such as Rudolph Nureyev and Mikhail Baryshnikov. The ballet is usually performed near to Christmas in-keeping with the story’s theme. The story centers on a young girl, Clara whose godfather, Herr Drosselmeyer, makes toys with magical qualities. Clara dreams that her toys come to life and the ballet is an interpretation of her fantastical dream.
Swan Lake is another ballet that uses the melodic music of Tchaikovsky. The ballet premiered in February 1877 at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow but the definitive version is perhaps the interpretation staged by Marius Pepita and Lev Ivanov in St Petersburg in January 1895. The plot sees Prince Siegfried meeting and falling in love with beautiful princess Odette who has been turned into a swan by an evil magician. She is only allowed into her human form at night and the love of a virgin prince is only able to break the spell. The play ends in tragedy with both characters dying but the two are beautifully reunited in the afterlife.
The ballet The Sleeping Beauty is a classic ballet based on the well-loved fairytale of a princess who sleeps for 100 years after pricking her finger on a spinning wheel. The Sleeping Beauty with music by Tchaikovsky premiered in St Petersburg on the 18th of December 1892. It was choreographed Marius Pepita, famous for his contribution to 19th Century ballet.
Sergei Prokofiev completed the music for the ballet of Romeo and Juliet in 1935 after being commissioned by the Kirov Ballet. The ballet premiered in Czechoslovakia in December 1938. An enduring favorite, the story of two lovers who come from families who hate one another is an all-time classic. Interpretations of note include the 1962 Stuttgart Ballet version choreographed by John Cranko and the 1965 Royal Ballet choreographed by Kenneth MacMillan.
Copplia is a quirky and comic ballet that had its premiere in Paris at the Theatre Imperial de l’Opera in May 1870. With music by Lo Delibes the story revolves around a young engaged couple called Franz and Swanhilda. Franz falls in love with Copplia a young beauty who sits on her balcony reading all day but never speaking. Swanhilda finds out that Copplia is just a doll made by an eccentric toymaker and disguises herself as Copplia with the aim of winning back the love of her fiance.
The much-loved fairytale story Cinderella provides the plotline for the ballet of the same name and is set to music by Sergei Prokofiev. Cinderella premiered in November 1945 at the Bolshoi Theatre with Rostislav Zakharov providing the choreography. A well-regarded interpretation of Cinderella is Sir Frederick Ashton’s 1948 version.
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Tchaikovsky – Swan Lake – Scene – Part 1/8
