13 August 2021 (Fri), 19:00 Mikhailovsky Classical Ballet and Opera Theatre (established 1833) - Classical Ballet Sergei Prokofiev "Romeo and Juliet" (Ballet in 3 Acts) - St. Petersburg Tchaikovsky Ballet Theatre
Schedule for Sergei Prokofiev "Romeo and Juliet" (Ballet in 3 Acts) - St. Petersburg Tchaikovsky Ballet Theatre 2022
Composer: Sergei Prokofiev
Orchestra: Mikhailovsky Symphony Orchestra Ballet company: Mikhailovsky Ballet
Classical Ballet in 3 acts
World premiere: 11 January 1940, Kirov Theatre of Opera and Ballet (Mariinsky), Leningrad
Romeo and Juliet is the most famous ballet by Prokofiev and the most ever popular ballet about love. This choreographic version of the tragedy by Shakespeare was first seen on the Mariinsky Theatre stage in 1940. It had been staged by Leonid Lavrovsky, who closely worked with Prokofiev on this production. This is an amazingly touching and thrilling performance. The Daily Telegraph: "From the present day point of view, the production has many positive qualities: the clearly defined story line; the elegant, refined dance, the lyrical duets; the sets by Pyotr Williams, the faded grandeur of which precisely conveys the atmosphere of Renaissance Italy. Here, too, absolute faith and self-giving from the two lovers, from the very depths of their souls, is essential. It is this that is brought to the ballet by the soloists of the Mariinsky Ballet Company. They are stunning; they are of those dancers who, it would appear, know instinctively that they are born for the stage"
Synopsis
ACT I
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.
ACT II
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.
ACT III
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.
Schedule for Sergei Prokofiev "Romeo and Juliet" (Ballet in 3 Acts) - St. Petersburg Tchaikovsky Ballet Theatre 2022
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