Who wrote the ballet Ruslan and Lyudmila. Ballet "Ruslan and Lyudmila" (review by E

"Ruslan and Lyudmila, or the Overthrow of Chernomor, the Evil Wizard"- "a great magical-heroic ballet in five acts", choreographed by A.P. Glushkovsky to music by composer F.E.Scholz based on A.S.Pushkin's poem "Ruslan" and "Lyudmila"; the first stage performance of this work and the first production of Pushkin on the stage in general.

The premiere took place on the stage of the Pashkovsky Theater in Moscow on December 16 of the year (orchestra conducted by F. E. Scholz, scenery by A. Raslov, costumes by Levisi, Ruslan- A. P. Glushkovsky, Ludmila- T. I. Glushkovskaya); On December 2, the year was transferred to St. Petersburg, to the stage of the Bolshoi Theater (stage directors Charles Didelot and Auguste, in the benefit of the latter, Ruslan- Nikolay Golts, Ludmila- Avdotya Istomina).

Main characters

• Ludmila
• Ruslan, her fiancé
• Prince, father of Lyudmila
• Chernomor, wizard
• Head
• Evil, sorceress
• goodness, sorceress

Libretto

Act one

“The theater presents a magnificent hall. The Prince of Kiev leads Ruslan and Lyudmila out of the church; ambassadors (Kazar, Hungarian, Circassian), princes, boyars, warriors and people accompany them. March. Then dances begin, "in which the whole retinue participates." The wizard Chernomor descends on a cloud. He carries away Lyudmila, who has lost consciousness, and plunges all the guests into a stupor.

“The prince and Ruslan approach the place where Lyudmila was, but, not finding her, they become desperate.” March. Ruslan goes in search of his wife. “The forest, on the one hand, is a cave, in the distance on the mountains one can see the castle of Chernomor, near it one can see many dead knights beaten by the enemy, spears, swords, quivers, shields, shishaks, horse shells, banners are scattered everywhere.” The head guards the entrance to the castle. After meeting with Dobrada, Ruslan fights with the Head. The torso and head break up into parts, consisting of artists lying motionless. Ruslan enters into battle with the soldiers - victory over them opens him access to Chernomor.

Action two

Night. "The theater represents the garden." Zlotvora with Lyudmila descend on a cloud, "cupids flutter around them." There are spirits carrying the image of the seven planets, colorful lanterns, torches, shawls, garlands, vases. Awakened Lyudmila looks around in amazement. Dances begin, interrupted by the exit of Evil and Chernomor. Lyudmila showers Karla with reproaches, he offers her the crown, but she "rejects everything with contempt." The sounds of tom-tom and the trumpet call herald the approach of the enemy: this is Ruslan. The joy of Lyudmila, the fury of Chernomor; the wizard instructs Zlotvora to hide Lyudmila, and he himself rushes into battle.

Act Three

“The theater represents the interior of the Chernomor castle, in the middle there is a throne, decorated with snakes and monsters; in different places altars are visible, similar to the decorations of the throne, fires are burning from the mouths of monsters; on the right side stands a colossal oracle with one eye in its forehead, holding a scroll on which predictions are made, "tombs and several human skeletons are visible." Chernomor casts spells. The image of Lyudmila appears in the magic mirror; she rejects Chernomor's passion.

Zlotvora appears at the call of Karla, at her sign they bring Ruslan's armor and weapons, which should convince Lyudmila that her husband is dead. Enter Lyudmila. Seeing Ruslan's armor and the inscription "Armament of the slain Ruslan", she loses consciousness. “Recovering, Lyudmila pushes the wizard away, runs to Ruslan’s false armament, unfolds the banner, kisses him and sheds sorrowful tears.” Thunderclap (tam-tom); an inscription appears on the oracle scroll: “Ruslan is approaching. Be afraid, Chernomor. Courage returns to Lyudmila.

Zlotvora tries to defeat Ruslan with the power of seduction. She turns the sorceresses under her control into beautiful young maidens: she gives one a charming lyre, the other a goblet with poison, the third a garland.

act four

Chernomor and Evil turn rose bush to the cave where they hide Lyudmila. The sound of the trumpet heralds the approach of Ruslan. Nymphs meet him in the garden of Chernomor. One of them plays the lyre, luring Ruslan into the garden. She advises Ruslan to leave his weapon and indulge in pleasure. Seeing another under the veil, he runs up to her; the second nymph gives him an enchanted wreath and garland, offering to put on this decoration instead of a helmet and put an end to the search for Lyudmila. Every time, as soon as Ruslan is ready to succumb to temptation, a thunderclap is heard and an inscription appears on the stone: "Infidel." “The third nymph, seeing the failure of her friends, begins to dance with great diligence and at this time brings him a goblet filled with poison. Blinded by beauty, the knight wants to fulfill the seductress' proposal.

Suddenly, a flame bursts out of the nymph's goblet. Ruslan comes to his senses and throws himself with weapons at the insidious sorceresses. The garden turns into a desert, the nymphs become furies who pounce on the knight. Ruslan wins the fight, and then his duel with Chernomor begins. The hero is in danger, and his patroness, the sorceress Dobrada, comes to his aid. She overthrows evil forces to the underworld. Ruslan frees Lyudmila, the couple fly away on Dobrada's winged chariot.

Act Five

“The theater represents a clearing in the middle of a dense forest, in the middle you can see the temple of Perun; the priests surround the altar; prince of Kiev, boyars, people. The priest performs the ceremony - a sacred fire is lit, a thunderclap is heard, and an inscription appears on the temple: "Ruslan and Lyudmila are under my protection."

“Ruslan appears, preceded by warriors, knights go behind him; he leads Lyudmila by the hand, who, seeing her parent, rushes into his arms; the prince thanks Ruslan for saving his daughter and again hands her hand to the deliverer; Ruslan, having brought gratitude to the gods, sits down with the prince and Lyudmila on an elevated place. Big dance divertissement.

Production history

Having retained separate plot moves and images of the poem, Glushkovsky introduced episodes and scenes characteristic of musical theater that time. He staged a large five-act performance, each of the actions of which abounded in fabulous transformations. These transformations and fantastic episodes permeate the entire fabric of the play. In the program of the ballet, compiled by Glushkovsky, many magical episodes were planned that required complex stage technology and artistic sophistication: for example, “Zlotvora, turning into the dwarf of Chernomor, carried Lyudmila away on a cloud surrounded by furies. The head, reflecting the attack of Ruslan, turned into warriors and a twelve-headed snake. Then the hellish monsters flying out of the waterfall attacked the knight, and the beauties, after a vain attempt to seduce him, turned into furious furies.

M. I. Glinka - V. Agafonnikov

"RUSLAN AND LUDMILA"

Ballet in two acts

Libretto by Andrei Petrov, based on the poem by A. S. Pushkin and the opera by M. I. Glinka

Choreographer - National artist Russian Federation, laureate of the Moscow Prize Andrey Petrov

Set Designer - Marina Sokolova

The ballet was created based on the poem by A. Pushkin and the opera by M. I. Glinka, where fairy-tale magic coexists with reality, and history and fiction are seasoned with mild irony.

The weighty lightness of Pushkin's line acquires monumentality in philosophical images famous opera. "Traditions of antiquity deep", told in the language classical dance: the mutual love of Ruslan and Lyudmila, her abduction by Chernomor, the rivalry of contenders for the hand and heart of the Kyiv princess - the cowardly Farlaf and the proud Ratmir, Chernomor and the magical power of his beard ...

Anger, deceit and cowardice are overcome by justice, good heroic strength and young love.

The play is accompanied by Symphony Orchestra radio "Orpheus".

Artistic Director and chief conductor- Sergey KONDRASHEV.

Duration: up to 2 hours 25 minutes (with intermission).

STEP ONE

PICTURE ONE

There is a festive revival in the gridnitsa of the Grand Duke Svetozar. Everyone is looking forward to which betrothed Lyudmila will choose. The suitors of the princess appear: the arrogant Varangian knight Farlaf and the dreamy Khazar prince Ratmir. Ratmir is pursued by Gorislava, who is in love with him, with a plea to abandon the idea of ​​intermarrying with the prince of Kyiv.

Here is Ruslan. The opponents look at each other suspiciously. Ludmila appears. Her choice has long been made. The squad and the prince praise the young couple. The wedding ceremony begins. The young are brought under the curtain with honors... Thunder... Lightning...

The sinister figure of Chernomor appears. Everyone freezes. Enchanted by Chernomor, Lyudmila freezes. The evil sorcerer and his prisoner disappear.

Everyone woke up. Ludmila is not. Ruslan is in despair. Svetozar promises Lyudmila as a wife to the one who returns his daughter to him. All three knights swear to do so. Opponents leave Kyiv.

PICTURE TWO

Fairy forest. Naina pursues Finn with her love. He rejects her. She vows revenge.
Ruslan goes through the forest and comes to the home of the good Finn. The owner welcomes Ruslan cordially. Ruslan sees Lyudmila and Chernomor in the smoke of the magic fire. Ruslan thanks Finn and leaves to look for Chernomor's castle.

Naina lies in wait for Farlaf. She promises him Lyudmila. The coward is ready for anything. His joy knows no bounds. Naina gives him what he dreamed of: a soft bed and a table with food. Overwhelmed by wine and gluttony, he falls asleep, forgetting about Lyudmila.

PICTURE THREE

Ruslan enters the field. Death Valley makes a painful impression. Ruslan is tired. Doubt gnaws at him. Suddenly Ruslan sees a hill, at the brilliance of the moon it comes to life - in front of the hero is the Head. The head crumbles into many warriors. The battle is fierce, the forces are unequal, but Ruslan emerges victorious. The warriors are scattered: in place of the head is a magic sword.

PICTURE FOUR

Naina conjures, attracts knights. Her retinue is a swarm of ugly old women, but at the gesture of the sorceress they turn into beautiful maidens. And Naina herself becomes a young beauty. The forest comes alive with a wonderful oriental palace. Naina is waiting for the victim, preparing a poisoned drink for her ....

Gorislav relentlessly follows Ratmir, but he is relentless. He longs to find Lyudmila, although Gorislav is dearer and closer to him, but the stubbornness of the proud prince is boundless. Ratmir leaves the weeping Gorislava and enters Naina's palace. Fairy maidens, wine and refreshments - now he lost his shield, and sword, and helmet. Here is the seductive hostess. The charms of Naina make Ratmir forget about everything in the world. Gorislava appears in the palace, bringing Finn and Ruslan with her. Together they free Ratmir from Naina's spell.

ACT TWO

PICTURE ONE

Morning. Lyudmila wakes up in Chernomor's castle. Everything here is alien to her. The servants want to feed her marvelous dishes. Chernomor appears. Wanting to achieve the love of Lyudmila, he takes the form of Ruslan. Lyudmila feels deceit, and the spell is dispelled. In front of her is a dwarf. Lyudmila tangles the villain's magic beard.

The servants of Chernomor come out in a solemn march, carrying the dwarf and his beard. Lyudmila is solemnly planted in front of Chernomor. Wizard Power Parade. The whirlwind of lezginka captures everyone. Both thrones are rushing in a circle. Lyudmila is already almost without feelings. The dwarf approaches his victim with laughter...
The sound of a horn is heard. This is Ruslan calling Chernomor to battle. The sorcerer enchants Lyudmila and draws his sword. A short but fierce fight, and the dwarf carries Ruslan under the clouds.

PICTURE TWO

Ruslan runs in with the severed beard of Chernomor. Lyudmila sleeps like a witch's dream and does not recognize her lover. Sobbing Ruslan carries Lyudmila away. Ratmir and Gorislava came to the aid of Ruslan.

PICTURE THREE

Naina drags the shaking Farlaf - his hour has come. Fear makes him submit. They follow the trail of Ruslan.

PICTURE FOUR

Night in the steppe. Ratmir and Gorislava leave for the forest. Ruslan guards Lyudmila's sleep, but, tired, falls asleep. Naina and Farlaf appear. Naina forces Farlaf to raise his sword against Ruslan. Farlaf plunges his sword into the knight's chest and kidnaps Lyudmila. Naina is jubilant. Suddenly, Finn appears. In his hands he has two vessels - with dead and living water. He heals Ruslan's wounds.

Ruslan, Ratmir and Gorislav rush to Kyiv. Finn's blessing overshadows them. Naina is defeated, her plans are destroyed.

PICTURE FIVE

Farlaf, having kidnapped Lyudmila, brought her to Kyiv. But no one can wake her from her magical sleep. She doesn't even recognize her father...

The prince mourns his daughter. Unexpectedly for everyone, Ruslan appears. Farlaf begs for mercy. Ruslan's love awakens Lyudmila. Happiness and jubilation in the halls of Prince Svetozar. Russians praise the brave knight and the young princess...

The ballet "Ruslan and Lyudmila" was created on the basis of the works of two great creators of the Russian land - the poet A.S. Pushkin and the composer M.I. Glinka. This performance is not just a charming fairy tale, and a philosophical parable about eternal, like the world, human feelings: true love conquering betrayal and deceit. Pushkin lines filled with love for the characters, whose feelings are not fictional, but real. Young, carefree Lyudmila, fearless Ruslan, in love with the pleasures of Ratmir, Gorislava, who retained her love for the young man who rejected her.

The magical characters of the poem that the main characters encounter, drawing them into the world of miracles, as if checking the truth of the feelings of lovers, forcing them to make their choice ... The great Russian composer M. Glinka conceived his opera a few months after tragic death Pushkin in a duel, dedicating his work to his memory. In the ballet version of the opera created by famous composer, Professor of the Moscow Conservatory Vladislav Agafonnikov, a number of musical abbreviations were made, vocal and choral sections were reworked for the orchestra, and the necessary musical links were made.

Opera in five acts by Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka to a libretto by composer V. Shirokov, with the participation of K. Bakhturin, N. Kukolnik, N. Markevich, A. Shakhovsky, based on poem of the same name Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin.

Opera in five acts (eight scenes)

Characters:

Svetozar, Grand Duke Kyiv…………………………………bass

Lyudmila, daughter ……………………………………………………………soprano

Ruslan, Kiev knight, Lyudmila's fiancé………………………… baritone

Ratmir, prince of the Khazars…………………………………………………contralto

Farlaf, Varangian knight……………………………………………bass

Gorislava, captive of Ratmir…………………………………………soprano

Finn, good wizard…….……………………………………….tenor

Naina, the evil sorceress……………………………………………… mezzo-soprano

Bayan, singer …….……………………….……………………………….tenor

Chernomor, the evil wizard, Karla.

Summary

The high mansions of the Grand Duke of Kyiv Svetozar are full of guests. The prince is celebrating the wedding of his daughter Lyudmila with the knight Ruslan. The prophetic Bayan sings a song about the glory of the Russian land, about bold campaigns. He predicts the fate of Ruslan and Lyudmila: deadly danger they are destined for separation, severe trials. Ruslan and Lyudmila swear to each other eternal love. Ratmir and Farlaf, jealous of Ruslan, secretly rejoice at the prediction. However, Bayan reassures everyone: invisible forces will protect the lovers and unite them. Guests praise the young. The melodies of Bayan sound again. This time he predicts the birth of a great singer who will keep the story of Ruslan and Lyudmila from oblivion. 2 In the midst of the wedding fun, a clap of thunder is heard, everything is plunged into darkness. The darkness dissipates, but Lyudmila is not there: she has been kidnapped. Svetozar promises the daughter's hand and half the kingdom to the one who saves the princess. Ruslan, Ratmir and Farlaf go in search.

In the far northern region, where Ruslan's travels have brought him, the kind wizard Finn lives. He predicts the victory of the knight over Chernomor, who kidnapped Lyudmila. At Ruslan's request, Finn tells his story. The poor shepherd, he fell in love with the beautiful Naina, but she rejected his love. Neither by exploits, nor by wealth obtained in bold raids, could he win the heart of a proud beauty. And only with the help of magic spells did Finn inspire Naina with love for himself, but Naina, meanwhile, became a decrepit old woman. Rejected by the wizard, now she haunts him. Finn warns Ruslan against the machinations of the evil sorceress. Ruslan continues on his way.

Looking for Lyudmila and Farlaf. But everything that meets on the way frightens the cowardly prince. Suddenly, a terrible old woman appears before him. This is Naina. She wants to help Farlaf and thereby take revenge on Finn, who patronizes Ruslan. Farlaf triumphs: the day is near when he will save Lyudmila and become the owner of the Kyiv principality.

The search leads Ruslan to an ominous deserted place. He sees a field littered with the bones of fallen warriors and weapons. The fog dissipates, and the outlines of a huge Head appear in front of Ruslan. She begins to blow towards the knight, a storm rises. But, struck by Ruslan's spear, the Head rolls away, and a sword is revealed under it. The head tells Ruslan the story of two brothers - the giant and the dwarf Chernomor. The dwarf overcame his brother by cunning and, having cut off his head, forced her to guard the magic sword. Giving the sword to Ruslan, the Head asks to take revenge on the evil Chernomor.

Magic castle of Naina. The virgins, subject to the sorceress, invite travelers to take refuge in the castle. Here the beloved of Ratmir - Gorislava yearns. Appeared Ratmir does not notice her. Ruslan also ends up in Naina's castle: he is fascinated by the beauty of Gorislava. Vityazey is saved by Finn, who destroys Naina's evil spell. Ratmir, returned to Gorislava, and Ruslan again set off in search of Lyudmila.

Lyudmila languishes in the gardens of Chernomor. Nothing pleases the princess. She yearns for Kyiv, for Ruslan and is ready to commit suicide. An invisible chorus of servants persuades her to submit to the power of the sorcerer. But their speeches only provoke the wrath of the proud daughter of Glory City. The sounds of the march herald the approach of Chernomor. Slaves bring in a dwarf with a huge beard on a stretcher. The dancing begins. Suddenly, a horn sounds. It is Ruslan who challenges Chernomor to a duel. Having plunged Lyudmila into a magical dream, Chernomor leaves. In battle, Ruslan cuts off Chernomor's beard, depriving him of his miraculous strength. But he cannot wake Lyudmila from her magical sleep.

"Ruslan and Lyudmila", the finale of the performance. Photo by Alexander Samorodov

Towards the end of 2016, the Voronezh Opera and Ballet Theater presented the premiere of the ballet in the version of V. Agafonnikov "Ruslan and Lyudmila" (staging by the artistic director of the "Kremlin Ballet" Andrei Petrov). The colorful, Russian in spirit performance based on the poem by A. Pushkin and the opera turned out to be a match for the troupe's artists and attracted the audience, who reacted vividly to its two-act action.

For the first time, Ruslan and Lyudmila was staged by A. Petrov back in 1992. Then the theater headed by him was only in its third year. The choreographer had an important task - not just to compose good performance, but to make a serious bid for a large full-length, original ballet. In fact, it turned out that new performance become calling card theater, and one of the most sought-after works in the repertoire of the Kremlin Ballet. It was these arguments that served as the reason for inviting A. Petrov to Voronezh for the production.

Preparing new version ballet specifically for the Voronezh theater, the director took into account the specifics of the ballet troupe and individual characteristics (the number of artists and the direction of the repertoire). Unlike the large space of the Kremlin concert venue, Voronezh theater stage revived and concretized the action, gave A. Petrov the opportunity to find other dramatic moves. As a result, individual episodes of the performance were slightly cut, and the rich acting component of the action benefited many talented ballet dancers.

How and why could opera music become the basis of the Ruslan and Lyudmila ballet? The answer to this question is simple: A. Petrov was carried away by the opera rich in images of the outstanding Russian composer. Her lyrical melodiousness and popular plot provoked the choreographer to a creative experiment: take, if not a ballet, but a well-known classical music by ear and breathe dance content into it. In this matter, the choreographer was helped by the composer Vladislav Agafonnikov, who made an orchestral version of the work for the ballet and created some thematic links in it.

"Ruslan and Ludmila". Gorislava - Ekaterina Lyubykh, Ratmir - Mikhail Vetrov. Photo by Alexander Samorodov

In "Ruslan and Lyudmila" there is a clear influence of multi-figure compositions from grand ballets ("Gardens of Naina"), a harmonious combination of dance and pantomime can be attributed to practical experience, taken by Petrov literally from the hands of the master of the drama ballet Rostislav Zakharov, and the plastically meaningful, deep in meaning monologues (Ruslan's monologue, Svetozar's lament) convinced of a direct influence on the choreographer of creativity. However, despite the various influences, the performance looks like a complete dance canvas, in which the continuity of various traditions is felt. And this is the main success of A. Petrov, who managed to preserve and increase these traditions.

A significant role in the audience's perception of Pushkin's ballet was played by the artistic design of Marina Sokolova (1939-1992), whose scenery and costumes were carefully restored under the direction of Valery Kochiashvili, chief designer of the Voronezh Opera and Ballet Theatre. Creating visual images of the performance, Sokolova decided to turn to the origins of Russian folk art. Her stage paintings are directly related to folklore, fairy tale characters(mermaids, firebirds, owls, Bayun the cat). Obviously, the artist drew her inspiration from various forms of folk art: from Khokhloma and Gorodets painting, from drawings of Vologda lace and Pavlovo Posad shawls, from the plastic forms of a Dymkovo toy.

"Ruslan and Ludmila". Lyudmila - Svetlana Noskova, Ruslan - Ivan Negrobov. Photo by Alexander Samorodov

One of the important advantages of the performance is the presence in it of roles of different nature and scale, where the artists of a small but talented troupe were able to prove themselves. So, main party Lyudmila was given to an experienced, lyrical dancer Svetlana Noskova. With inspiration and temperament Ivan Negrobov performed the part of Ruslan, in whose arsenal there are both free technique, artistry, and the premier's presentation. Dmitry Trukhachev picked up bright acting colors to create the image of the cowardly and skittish Varangian knight Farlaf. Slender, plastically gifted Mikhail Vetrov boldly appeared in the party of the Khazar Khan Ratmir. The Khazar princess Gorislava Ekaterina captivated Lyubykh with the soft, bewitching plasticity of an oriental girl, faithful to her beloved Ratmir. The insidious sorceress Naina was performed by the artistic Yana Cherkashina, who has a light jump. The dramatic dance part of Svetozar went to Denis Kaganer, who created a colorful image of the Russian prince - Lyudmila's father. The dwarf wizard Chernomor, in the interpretation of Vadim Manukovsky, did not look like a terrible villain, but a naively vicious, pompous king, whose power ended after Ruslan deprived him of his long beard. The corps de ballet dancers (actors in the grid, the warriors of the Head, the virgins of Naina, the retinue of Chernomor) coped with all their parts diligently and purely according to the drawing.

"Ruslan and Ludmila". Gardens of Chernomor. Photo by Alexander Samorodov

Great and time-consuming tutoring work with the artists was carried out by the teachers of the Voronezh theater Lyudmila Maslennikova and Pyotr Popov. Zhanna Bogoroditskaya, one of the first and brightest performers of the part of Lyudmila, provided them with serious support. The energy of the chief choreographer of the theater Alexander Lityagin made it possible to mobilize ballet troupe, as a result of which the artists were able to show their best performing qualities.

Orchestra under the direction of a conductor, artistic director Theater of Andrei Ogievsky showed an attentive attitude to dramaturgy piece of music, as well as to dance tempos.

The appearance of the ballet "Ruslan and Lyudmila" in the repertoire of the Voronezh Opera and Ballet Theater is a landmark event associated with the restoration of the best traditions classical ballet. This performance has a significant prospect of growing popularity with the audience in many respects (plot, music, choreography, artistic design), but, above all, because of the loyalty eternal values- friendship and love. Development repertory policy in a similar vein, undoubtedly, will bring the theater both success and a stable existence.

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