Stanislavsky Theatre
Premiere of this production: 06 Nov 1963 The performance has 1 intermission Running time: 2 hours 5 minutes For over half a century, the ballet has been performed with unfailing success at the Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Music Theatre, located just 750 metres from the Bolshoi Theatre. Featuring distinguished dancers who have performed on the Bolshoi stage and trained at the same prestigious academies, this production remains one of the most enchanting family ballets in the theatre’s repertoire — equally captivating for children and adults alike. Often called “Tchaikovsky’s fourth ballet,” The Snow Maiden is a dazzling creation woven from various works by the great composer — including his First Symphony (“Winter Dreams”), Serenade for Strings, a Piano Sonata, several Romances, and music written for Ostrovsky’s play of the same name. Thanks to the masterful selection and orchestration, the score forms a cohesive and beautifully unified whole. The story of this ballet’s creation is as remarkable as the work itself. In 1960, Vladimir Burmeister became the first Soviet choreographer invited to stage a production at the Paris Opera. While working on Swan Lake, he received an offer from the British Festival Ballet to create another work set to Tchaikovsky’s music — and thus The Snow Maiden was born. The London premiere took place in the summer of 1961, and in 1963 Burmeister brought The Snow Maiden to his home stage. SynopsisScene One In a winter forest, the Snow Maiden plays with her friends, the Snowflakes. Their joyful dances delight Father Frost. Scene Two The Snow Maiden runs away from the Snowflakes and Father Frost and finds herself in a clearing near the village of Berendeyevka, where she sees living people for the first time — Kupava and Mizgir, who have come for a lovers’ meeting. Scene Three She hurries back to tell the Snowflakes and Father Frost about what she has seen. They are distraught by her fascination with humans, sensing that it will lead to her doom. Scene Four A festival is underway in Berendeyevka. There is dancing and merriment, when suddenly Bobyl accidentally discovers the Snow Maiden hiding behind a fir tree. Everyone is astonished by such a strange being. Bobyl and his wife, Bobyliha, decide to take her into their home. Scene Five In front of Bobyl’s hut, the Snow Maiden feels lonely. First three young men, and then Lel, try to woo her, but as soon as they touch her, they feel a chill. Bobyliha drives the young men away, dreaming instead of finding a rich husband for the Snow Maiden. Scene Six During the winter games of the Berendeys, Kupava and Mizgir take part. When Mizgir sees the Snow Maiden for the first time, he is struck by her beauty and dances with her. Scene Seven At the Spring Festival, Kupava complains to the Tsar about Mizgir’s betrayal. In his defense, Mizgir shows the Tsar the Snow Maiden. Amazed by her beauty, the Tsar forgives Mizgir and blesses their betrothal. Suddenly, spring arrives. The spring sunlight and the awakening love in the Snow Maiden’s heart cause her to melt away. To everyone’s horror, she vanishes. Overcome with grief, Mizgir throws himself into the lake. | Pyotr Tchaikovsky "The Snow Maiden" Ballet in 2 acts on the playbill
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