Valery Gavrilin "Anyuta" ballet in two acts
Credits |
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Choreography by Vladimir Vasilyev (revisions) Alexander Belinsky, Libretto author Vladimir Vasiliev, Libretto author
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World premiere: Mariinsky Theatre, St Petersburg Premiere of this production: 08 Dec 2023
CREDITS Music by Valery Gavrilin Libretto by Alexander Belinsky and Vladimir Vasiliev after the story Anna on the Neck by Anton Chekhov
Production Choreography: Vladimir Vasiliev Set and costume Designer: Victor Volsky Lighting Designer: Alexander Naumov Video Designer: Eric Islamov
Premiere: 21 January 1986, Teatro San Carlo, Naples Premiere at the Mariinsky Theatre: 8 December 2023, Mariinsky Theatre
On 8 and 9 December the Mariinsky Theatre's historic stage hosted the premiere of the ballet Anyuta. The plot of Anton Chekhov's short story Anna on the Neck has come to life in a choreographic realization, co-created by Vladimir Vasiliev. The Anyuta ballet first captivated audiences not in a theatre but on television, marking a unique biography as it was perhaps the only ballet in history to transition from screen to stage. The teleballet's concept originated from Leningrad director and screenwriter Alexander Belinsky, who proposed the idea to Vladimir Vasiliev to choreograph and co-direct. Their collaboration began with selecting various compositions by Valery Gavrilin for the teleballet and developing its script. Filming took place at "Lentelefilm", involving Leningrad artists from the Leningrad Academic Maly Opera Theatre (MALEGOT), several soloists from the Kirov Theatre, and the astonishing Ekaterina Maximova in the leading role. This teleballet, tailored for and around her, premiered in 1982 immediately winning popularity and love from viewers, earning numerous awards and prizes, and was showcased in various countries. Upon seeing the teleballet on Italian television the director of Naples' San Carlo Theatre suggested Vasiliev adapt it for the theatrical stage. The transformation of Anyuta into a stage version required extensive work: the script was revised, Gavrilin's music was added, and new scenes emerged. However, the essence of the ballet remained the same in the stage version: a lyrical and dramatic action expressed through choreography where each mise-en-scène and every movement are dramatically motivated. The performers are expected to demonstrate not only dancing technique but also high acting skills. The world premiere of the ballet took place in Italy in 1986 achieving tremendous success, which was soon replicated at the Bolshoi Theatre and subsequently in many theatres across Russia and abroad. Today, over a dozen Russian cities and the Bolshoi Theatre of Belarus boast their own productions of Anyuta. In Saint Petersburg this ballet, long since a classic, was staged for the first time finally returning to its alma mater at the historic stage of the Mariinsky Theatre. "I believe it is important for ballet artists to have the opportunity to engage with Chekhov and Gavrilin on stage, to personally feel and convey to the audience the exquisitely subtle sensation of goodness and beauty inherent in these authors," notes Vladimir Vasiliev. SynopsisAct I After the death of his wife, a provincial town teacher, Pyotr Leontyevich, is left with three children: an adult daughter, Anna, and younger sons, Petya and Andryusha. Longing for his untimely departed wife, he increasingly drinks a decanter of vodka. An elderly official, Modest Alekseevich, is wooing Anna. The girl agrees to marry him, thereby hoping to escape from a gray, monotonous, half-starved life and save her family from poverty. Anyuta breaks up with her first love - a poor student - and after the wedding she moves into the house of Modest Alekseevich. Very soon she realizes that the benefits she was counting on are a mirage: the husband is stingy, cold, practical and does not intend to help his wife’s relatives.
Act II Christmas comes, and with it a festive ball, at which Anyuta captivates the men present with her youth and beauty. Everyone is vying with each other to win the attention and sympathy of Modest Alekseevich’s young wife. The rich master Artynov, the officers and, finally, his Excellency himself are carried away by Anna Petrovna. They are ready to do anything to please her. Anyuta’s head is spinning from such unexpected success. The attention and love of the high society of a provincial town makes her forget about everything: about her disgusting husband, about her drunken father, about her unfortunate brothers living from hand to mouth, about her recently beloved student. Modest Alekseevich understands how much benefit can be derived from his wife’s virtues and encourages her “cupids.” His career and position in society are higher than other interests. Very soon he receives the Order of St. Anne and looks forward to new favors from the patron of his wife. Pyotr Leontyevich is declared an insolvent debtor. His few remaining belongings are seized, and he and his children are driven out into the street on a frosty night. At the city skating rink, Anyuta indulges in carefree fun, surrounded by admiring fans. Carried away by the gentlemen, she rushes past her father and brothers without noticing them.
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Valery Gavrilin "Anyuta" ballet in two acts on the playbill |