CINDERELLA
Such a famous fairy tale has always attracted many composers, and operas and ballets have been written on its basis in different countries. Perhaps it is because of the unusually subtle plot, in which good invariably triumphs over evil. The ballet was written during a difficult time for the country - from 1940 to 1944. Having started work on the performance, Prokofiev was forced to stop it and take up writing his monumental opera "War and Peace", only later did he return to ballet. The premiere of the performance took place in November 1945 at the Bolshoi Theater, where the famous Galina Ulanova danced at that time, for whom Sergei Prokofiev actually conceived the work. The amazing world of the fairy tale, the graceful dances of the artists and the stunning music of the composer - all this awaits you in this unusually beautiful ballet.
Prokofiev included many dances in his score, including the rather rare and extremely beautiful pas de shawl. It was popular in the 19th century in various salons and was a dance with a large light scarf.
Brief summary of the performance:
I ACT
I picture.
In the house of the evil stepmother, she and her two daughters, Zlyuka and Krivlyaka, are trying on a shawl. Cinderella appears. She remembers her dead mother. She tries to find comfort in her father, but he is completely under the influence of his new wife. A beggar woman comes to the house. The sisters drive her away, but Cinderella secretly invites the old woman to rest and feeds her. The stepmother and sisters are preparing to leave for the royal ball. They try on new outfits. The dance teacher gives the clumsy sisters their last lesson before the ball. Finally, the stepmother and sisters leave. Cinderella is left alone. She dreams of the ball and dances alone. The beggar woman returns. Suddenly she is transformed - she is a fairy who will reward Cinderella for her kind heart. With the help of the fairies of the seasons, Cinderella gets ready for the ball. The only condition is that she must leave at midnight.
II picture
The royal ball is in full swing at the palace.
Ladies and gentlemen dance. The stepmother arrives with her sisters. The sisters attract attention with their clumsiness. The prince appears. The guests dance the mazurka. Festive music accompanies the arrival of a mysterious stranger. It is Cinderella. The prince is delighted with her and invites her to dance (a grand waltz).
The sisters try to attract the attention of the prince (a duet with oranges), but to no avail. The prince does not leave Cinderella. They do not notice how time flies. Suddenly, the romantic waltz-coda is interrupted by the striking of the clock. It is midnight. Cinderella runs away, having lost her crystal slipper, which the prince picks up.
ACT II
I picture
The prince is in despair. He tried the slipper on all the ladies of the kingdom, but it fits no one. The prince sets off to search for the stranger in distant lands: Spain, the East, China and Russia, but all attempts are unsuccessful.
II picture
And in her stepmother's house, Cinderella is still busy with household chores and remembers the ball.
Suddenly the prince arrives. He demands that all the women try on the slipper. But in vain the sisters, and then the stepmother, try to put on the slipper - it is hopelessly small for them.
Noticing Cinderella, the prince offers her to try on the slipper. Cinderella refuses, but then the second slipper falls out of her pocket. The prince looks into the girl's face - it is his favorite. Now nothing will separate them.
