Russian Ballet in Porcelain Art

 Lyubov Tsvetkova, the leading artist of the Imperial Porcelain Manufactory, is a recognized master of painting on thin-walled bone china porcelain, a wonderful material that is known for its special whiteness and in 2019 celebrates the 50th anniversary of its  creation in Russia. The light, elegant works of the artist, as  in the ballet, hide the painstaking and delicate work. The Russian Ballet series is a small masterpiece that will glorify any interior, regardless of its design solution.

Sergei Prokofiev negotiated the possibility of staging his operas in Leningrad. Then Adrian Piotrovsky, Director of the Lenfilm motion-picture company, expressed the idea of creating a new work — Shakespeare’s tragedy. Prokofiev finally polished the idea of the future ballet in May 1935, but the premiere took place only on January 11, 1940. The author masterfully “transferred” Shakespeare's tragedy to the ballet score. Lots of art critics believe that this work is one of the best ballet performances.

During his visit to St. Petersburg Adolf Adan received a tempting offer from the Russian Emperor: to become a court compose. He declined it politely. The  reasons of his  decision are still an object of art historians arguments. When the famous composer  returned to Russia, he started to create the ballet Giselle, which premiered in 1941. It was based on a  romantic story about a young girl who fell in  love with a selfish aristocrat Albert.

 The musical story of the famous composer Rodion Shchedrin based on Pyotr Ershov’s fairy tale The Little Humpbacked Horse tells about the adventures of the peasant son Ivan and his tried-and-true friend — a fantastic Little Humpbacked Horse, about the beautiful Tsar Maiden and the stupid Tsar. The ballet

was composed upon the Bolshoi Theatre's request in the late 1950s. It successfully combined a fascinating fairy-tale plot, interesting for both children and adults, emotional music of the Soviet composer and colorful scenography.

 The ballet  Scheherazade, created by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov  influenced by the magical power of One Thousand and One Nights, is recorded in the history of world dance as revolutionary choreographic drawing, saturated with passion and emotions. The composer invites you to a musical journey filled with the images of the East, unique in their beauty. The premiere happened on June 4, 1910, at the Grand Opera, and the play was created in Sergei Diaghilev’s Russian Seasons.

New Year is a magical holiday, a time of gifts, comfort and hospitality in every house. The Nutcracker ballet by Pyotr Tchaikovsky is an irreplaceable symbol of New Year celebrations. The ballet premiered in 1892 at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg. The rare beauty and melody of music, fascinating dance of the Fairy Dragee, the gentle Waltz of the Flowers, a series of dances: Chocolate, Coffee, Tea — due to all this The Nutcracker became famous as the world's best Christmas tale, which creates an atmosphere of a real celebration.

Petrushka is a folk  character who became a  symbol of the Russian ballet  avant-garde of the 20th century. Its composer Igor Stravinsky created a ballet that became a bright page of  the Russian Seasons in Paris. At the  rehearsal in Paris the musicians started  laughing — to such an extend the music of Petrushka seemed funny to them. At that time no one could imagine that Petrushka will become the personification of a whole century. The brightness of colors and flair of the play has been fascinating more than a single generation of spectators.

 In 1871, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky wrote a one-act children’s ballet Lake of Swans for his relatives. Six years after that, in 1877, the legendary ballet Swan Lake premiered at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. Today, the work is considered to be the standard of high art and the crown jewel of  Russian musical theater. Lots of world-renowned dancers are proud to have had the good fortune to perform in this legendary ballet.

 The great creation of Miguel de Cervantes was reflected in the ballet of Ludwig Minkus. The music of Ludwig Minkus was written for the ballet Don Quixote at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow by Marius Petipa, maitre de ballet. For soloists,Don Quixote is not only a true reflection of virtuosity, but also an opportunity to plunge into the elements of the game where even a small role can blossom with a bouquet of humorous colors. The audience of this performance is always fascinated by the atmosphere of a carefree holiday.

 The composer Sergei Prokofiev turned to the tale of a kind, honest girl forced to carry out all household chores by an evil stepmother in 1940. However, the outbreak of war changed the author’s plans. The music of  Cinderella is often  performed without choreography as a symphonic work. Based on it, Prokofiev created parts for orchestra and individual instruments. The premiere of the ballet with Sergei Prokofiev’s music took place in 1945 at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. The world of magic and elegant music are its integral components.