Raymonda
ballet in three acts
music by Alexander Glazunov
Cast
Jean de Brien — Artyom Pykhachov
Abderakhman — Vladimir Tsal
Conductor: Mikhail Pabuzin
Premiere of the production at the Mikhailovsky Theatre: November 16, 2006
Ballet Raymonda, a masterpiece by the world-famous choreographer Marius Petipa and the Russian composer Alexander Glazunov is a kind of graceful medieval romance. It’s interesting to notice that the ballet is a rare example of the productions set to the libretto written by a woman. The scenario was created by Princess Lidia Pashkova, an extraordinary lady who managed to be a member of the French Geographic Society and a correspondent of Le Figaro in Paris, the author of several novels and an ardent traveler who visited Egypt, Palestine and Syria. Thus her Eastern impressions were realized in the ballet.
Raymonda was Marius Petipa’s last grand ballet: each act is full of variations displaying the essence of ballet techniques, and the second act is characterized by powerful dance scenes filled with exotic charm. The highlight of the ballet is the final act’s grand pas which skillfully combines classical and character dance. It is really an ideal ballet showing off the dancers in their glory.
Act I
Scene 1
The French Countess Sybille de Doris is celebrating the birthday of her niece, Raymonda, who is engaged to Jean de Brienne, a knight. Raymonda receives gifts — a scarf and a bouquet of flowers — from Jean de Brienne, who is away at war but never forgets about his fiancée.
Scene 2
Raymonda falls asleep among her friends and troubadours. She dreams about Jean de Brienne and a strange Saracen knight. Frightened Raymonda faints. At the dawn Raymonda wakes up and remembers her dream.
Act II
Scene 3
A festival at the castle of the Countess. A Saracen chief Abderakhman comes to the castle with an enormous escort. Raymonda recognizes the strange knight from her dream: it was Abderakhman. Abderakhman shows his might and wealth to Raymonda, and passionately proposes to her. Raymonda rejects all his generous proposals. At last Abderakhman tries to abduct Raymonda but at the moment Jean de Brienne arrives accompanied by the knights.
King Andrew II suggests a duel between the two warriors, in which Abderakhman falls dead.
Act III
Scene 4
A festival is held at the castle: they celebrate Jean de Brienne’s and Raymonda’s wedding. The Countess Sybille de Doris and King Andrew II bless the newlyweds.
Libretto: Lidia Pashkova and Marius Petipa based on a medieval legend
Choreography: Marius Petipa, Konstantin Sergeyev with choreographic fragments by Fyodor Lopukhov
Direction: Gabriela Komleva
Set and Costume Design: Vyacheslav Okunev
