Bolshoi Ballet

The masterpiece of Marius Petipa has had a long history of different versions at the Bolshoi, the most notable being the staging by Alexander Gorsky in 1904, «based on Petipa», in the words of the choreographer. After that, there were many revivals but in 1917 Gorsky created his very own choreography, designed in «Indian style» by Konstantin Korovin and which was influenced by Siamese ballet and the Indian works of the artist. There were important differences as the climax of the piece was not   «The Kingdom of the Shades  » with its impressive ballet corps by Petipa, but rather «The Wedding Feast», where there were many colourful groups, so characteristic of the choreographer. The version by this Russian company which comes to the Teatro Real this season was conceived by Yuri Grigorovich in 1991 which restored the original of Marius Petipa to the Mariinsky Theatre. Not only did he maintain the complete duration of the French master’s piece, as well, he added new dances which compliment the piece of art with oriental tones that is La Bayadère.

Ballet Bolshói

Music by Ludwig Minkus (1826-1917)

Libretto by Marius Petipa and Sergei Khudekov

New Scenic Version by Yuri Grigorovich

Premiered at the Teatro Imperial Bolshói Kamenny in Sanit Petersburg, 23 January 1877

Production by Ballet Bolshói of Moscow

Choreographer | Marius Petipa

Conductor | Pavel Sorokin

Director of the New Scenic Version | Yuri Grigorovich

Set Designers | Nikolai Sharonov
                         | Valery Firsov

Costume Designer and Lighting | Nikolai Sharonov

Set and Costume Designer Supervisor | Valery Levental