How many shades does La Bayadère have?
American Ballet Theatre arrives this weekend with La Bayadère, a full length Russian classical ballet regularly presented in repertoires around the world, but rarely seen in full in the U.S. So, what is La Bayadère and why is it so rarely performed in the U.S.?
When was La Bayadère made?
La Bayadère was first staged in 1877 by French choreographer Marius Petipa to the music of Ludwig Minkus at the Bolshoi Theatre in St Petersburg. 5. The ballet was created especially for the benefit performance of Ekaterina Vazem, Prima Ballerina of the St. Petersburg Imperial Theatre.
What is the story of the Bayadere?
Set in the Royal India of the past, La Bayadère is a story of eternal love, mystery, fate, vengeance and justice. The ballet relates the drama of a temple dancer (bayadère), Nikiya, who is loved by Solor, a noble warrior. She is also loved by the High Brahmin, but does not love him in return, as she does Solor.
How does La Bayadère end?
The bayadère then holds the basket too close and the serpent bites her on the neck. The High Brahmin offers Nikiya an antidote to the poison, but she chooses death rather than life without her beloved Solor.
Is La Bayadère a romantic ballet?
Petipa built his ballet La Bayadère on a strong Romantic base using his own brand of classical aesthetic. Typical of the Romantic period is the choice of exotic locale and the incorporation of ethereal beings.
What is the meaning of bayadère?
Definition of bayadere : a fabric with horizontal stripes in strongly contrasted colors.
What act is Gamzatti Variation in La Bayadère?
Bolshoi Ballet ballerina, Ekaterina Krysanova performs Gamzatti variation from La Bayadere Act II, 2009.
What is the story of Coppelia?
The ballet is about a girl named Coppelia who sits on her balcony all day reading and never speaking to anyone. A boy named Franz falls deeply in love with her and wants to marry her, even though he is already engaged to another woman. His fiance, Swanhilda, sees Franz throwing kisses at Coppelia.
Who wrote the music for La Bayadère?
violinist Ludwig Minkus
Biography. Czech composer and violinist Ludwig Minkus (1826–1917) wrote several hugely popular ballet scores, many of which are still widely performed today, including Don Quixote and La Bayadère. Minkus was born in Vienna.
Is Coppélia a doll?
Coppélia is his “daughter”, a mechanical doll who is so lifelike she is able to fool the villagers into believing she is alive. Doctor Coppelius is so enamoured of this doll that he tries to use magic to bring her to life.