Classics are things that have been tested by time, and one of such things is ballet - a musical and theatrical genre.
The founder of the ballet was the Russian composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky. He has only 3 ballets, which are known to every educated person - this Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty and "Nutcracker"but they are all famous for their amazing music and wonderful, professional choreography. Tchaikovsky is a genius who went down in history; we will learn more about him and the works of other authors.
In the article you can get acquainted with the most famous ballets of the whole world, which are staged in theaters.
10. The Holy Spring (1913)
Ballet "Sacred spring" owned by Igor Stravinsky. The ballet was first seen by the Parisians - it was May 29, 1913 in the theater on the main street of Paris.
The story begins with Stravinsky having a dream in which he observes an ancient ritual - a young girl performs a dance to awaken spring, surrounded by elders. After dancing, she dies.
Stravinsky worked on music, and Nicholas Roerich drew sketches for the scenery, as well as costumes.
For reference: the audience did not immediately accept the performance, because there are scenes of sacrifice, but a few years later the ballet "Sacred Spring" showed the real skill of the ballet team.
9. Giselle (1841)
2-act fantastic ballet of composer Adolf Adan. The ballet has a rather interesting plot - the legend of jeeps was taken from deep Slavic antiquity (these are young brides who died before marriage, who faced the betrayal of their lovers).
They want to avenge themselves, and at night, luring young men into their frantic dances, the spirits of the brides kill them. Giselle did not lose its popularity with ballet lovers since the beginning of the premiere (since 1841) and had many productions.
Interesting fact: immediately after the premiere of the ballet, the main character’s hairstyle, in which the parting is located in the center, became a real hit among fashionistas of Paris.
8. Romeo and Juliet (1940)
January 11, 1940 in Leningrad for the first time art lovers saw a ballet, the plot of which is familiar to everyone, Sergei Prokofiev called "Romeo and Juliet".
At one time, ballet was considered scandalous, and now it is a classic, and many theaters show it to sophisticated audiences. In ballet 3 acts, 4th is the epilogue.
Romeo and Juliet is one of the most popular ballets of the 20th century. The heroes of the tragedy of the British poet William Shakespeare forever remained in the hearts of many people, as a symbol of the beautiful and true, but at the same time, the tragic love of two young hearts.
The premiere of the "non-dancing" ballet to the music of Prokofiev was postponed and banned for 5 years.
7. Cinderella (1946)
Cinderella - This is a poor girl who is forced to work all the time, working around the house, her quarrelsome stepmother and her daughter. A weak-minded father cannot protect his daughter, but once Cinderella gets to the ball and meets the prince ...
There are many versions of Cinderella, but the Prokofiev version is used most often. The libretto of Nikolai Volkov is based on the plot of a fairy tale by the French poet Charles Perrault.
For reference: because of World War II, Sergei Prokofiev finished work on a musical work only in 1945, although he began it in 1940.
6. Sleeping Beauty (1890)
The famous ballet, based on the tale of the French writer Charles Perrault. For the first time, Leningraders saw him in 1890 at the Mariinsky Theater.
"Sleeping Beauty" - One of the types of ballet that will not lose its popularity until the end of time.
The conflict of evil and good is an eternal theme that excites the minds of mortals at all times and eras. It is presented in the production in the image of two sorceresses - Fairies Carabos and Fairies of Lilac. The awakening of beauty from sleep is a symbol of strength and triumph of love.
For reference: "Sleeping Beauty" lasts 4 hours, this is the longest ballet of Pyotr Tchaikovsky. Almost always cut it.
5. Coppelia, or Girl with Blue Eyes (1870)
"Coppelia, or the Girl with Blue Eyes" - this is the name of the pantomime ballet of the French composer Leo Delibes in three films and two acts.
He was first seen in 1870 at the Paris Opera. Coppelia is a rare genre for ballet - comedy.
The plot is a story familiar to many. It depicts the conflict of a man, rushing between ideal and realism, life and the world of art, in which there is always a place for bright dances.
Ballet is successful even today, in many theaters of the world they come to see it with pleasure.
4. Peter Pan (2015)
All young children dream of adventures, encounters with interesting characters and much more ...
Ballet Hero - Peter PanHe cleverly knows how to fly, lives on a wonderful island and he has his own fairy.
Ballet is suitable for family viewing - the scenery, costumes and dances are so bright that you do not want to take your eyes off the show.
“Peter Pan” is a fairy tale by J.M. Barry, filled with fantastic and at the same time philosophical scenes.
For reference: all ballet melodies were created by the Brazilian composer Oswald Montenegro, and the music was written by Tikhon Khrennikov, a Russian composer.
3. A Midsummer Night's Dream (1960)
William Shakespeare's comedy in 5 acts. Theseus is preparing for the wedding with Hippolyta, who will arrive only after 4 days. In honor of the joyous event, Theseus orders Philostratus to “revive” the youth of Athens in order to arrange a real holiday.
Aegeus comes to the ruler, and he has a complaint - he is going to marry his daughter to Demetrius, but Germany does not want to obey her father, because her heart belongs to Lysander. Theseus reminds the girl of her unfortunate fate of being imprisoned in a monastery if she disobeys her father ...
"A dream in a summer night" - A popular ballet in 2 acts, which many love. Shakespeare's comedy is considered the most romantic of all his works, he connected his rich fantasies during its creation, filling the play with fascinating creatures.
2. The Nutcracker (1892)
In 1891, Tchaikovsky wrote the timeless classic 2-act ballet, which is very often performed in our time. In 1892, the premiere The Nutcracker held at the Mariinsky Theater.
In the yard on December 25, and the children of Stahlbaum - Fritz and Marie are waiting for gifts. Marie sees a toy under the tree that is intended for cracking nuts - The Nutcracker is dressed like a man ... Spectators get to know him, and the adventure begins.
Interesting fact: The Nutcracker was staged in America only in 1944, since then a tradition has appeared - this ballet is shown on Christmas holidays. It is associated with magic and brings joy to young art lovers and adults. Charming Tchaikovsky’s music is one of the most recognizable.
1. Swan Lake (1877)
The ballet of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 4 acts was first seen by the public 130 years ago at the Bolshoi Theater. Swan Lake, according to many, is a technically difficult ballet (it is not easy to dance), in addition, it is emotionally complex.
Today "Swan Lake" everyone knows, this is the most famous ballet of the Russian seasons, the story is connected with a fairy tale about the Middle Ages, which tells about an evil wizard, an enchanted girl and a prince in love.
Interesting fact: it is believed that Tchaikovsky was very much inspired by Bavaria, namely the “High Swan Land”, the Hohenschwangau Castle of King Ludwig II, and, in an enthusiastic state, he came up with the idea of creating a “Swan Lake”.