Lost Souls

Igor Stravinsky, Max Richter / Bronislava Nijinska, Krzysztof Pastor, Wayne McGregor
11TH DAYS OF DANCE

Ballet evening in three parts

LES NOCES
Choreography: BRONISLAVA NIJINSKA
Music: IGOR STRAVINSKY

DO NOT GO GENTLE… 
Choreography: KRZYSZTOF PASTOR 
Music: IGOR STRAVINSKY (Largo from Symphony in E-flat major and In Memoriam Dylan Thomas)

INFRA 
Direction and choreography: WAYNE McGREGOR 
Music: MAX RICHTER

Premiere: 16 November 2019

Les noces (English: The Wedding), described by Igor Stravinsky as ‘Russian choreographic scenes’, is the less known, although equally brilliant, part of the composer’s diptych inspired by the folklore of old Russia. Completed ten years after the premiere of The Rite of Spring, which examines rites performed to pacify nature, Les noces is an exploration of wedding customs. The end-result is a dramatic cantata inspired by folk songs. The orchestration is dominated by percussion elements and toccata sounding pianos; the music is full of dynamism and fervent rhythm. The classic choreography by Bronislava Nijinska is the finest work of this highly talented artist who despite being equally talented as her brother Vaslav Nijinsky is still in his shadow. The dancers’ bodies often intertwine to form architectural combinations. The scene when the bride has her hair braided ends with female dancers forming a ‘human plait’. In Do not go gentle… Krzysztof Pastor also uses Stravinsky’s music. The composer wrote the dirge canons and a song to a poem by Dylan Thomas soon after the poet had promised to write a libretto for Stravinsky, yet died before he could keep his word. The music is sorrowful, nocturne-like, lamenting, and strikingly different to the orgiastically exuberant Les noces. Infra by Wayne McGregor, one of the most prominent representatives of the middle generation of choreographers, is a highly emotional piece danced to elegiac music by Max Richter. Staged for the first time over a decade ago, it has been receiving enthusiastic reviews all over the world ever since. Now, that is what you call a truly climatic ending.

Cast

Credits

Singers:

Magdalena Stefaniak – soprano
Magdalena Pluta – mezzo-soprano
Piotr Maciejowski – tenor
Jasin Rammal-Rykała – bass 

Pianists:

Miłosława Brzezińska-Wojtczak
Anna Marchwińska
Joanna Laszczkowska
Aleksander Teliga jr

Percussion players:

Henryk Mikołajczyk
Krzysztof Szmańda
Rafał Kucharski
Katarzyna Bojaryn
Paweł Gębicki
Jan Smoczyński

Polish National Ballet
Chorus and Orchestra of the Teatr Wielki - Polish National Opera

Synopsis

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    Les Noces (The Wedding)

     

    Synopsis

     

    This ballet depicts a Russian peasant wedding at the beginning of the Christian era, when the pagan rituals were still retained as family traditions.

    1st Tableau: Benediction of the Bride

    While friends braid her hair, the young Bride laments the uncertainty of her arranged marriage. Though the maidens try to comfort her, the Bride sobs with fear. Her parents bless her.

    2nd Tableau: Benediction of the Bridegroom

    In the company of friends, the Bridegroom celebrates prior to his wedding day. His Parents bless him.

    3rd Tableau: Departure of the Bride from the Parental Home

    The Bride is escorted from her parents’ home by her friends and by four matchmakers. The Bride’s mother laments the loss of her daughter.

    4th Tableau: The Wedding Feast

    Inside the „izba” the newlyweds bid farewell to their parents in their new home. Villagers and guests celebrate the wedding feast. The Bridegroom promises the Bride a life of happiness.

Sponsors

  • Patrons of Teatr Wielki – Polish National Opera

  • Partners of the Opera Academy

  • Partners of Teatr Wielki – Polish National Opera

  • Partner of the Polish National Ballet

  • Partner of the 11th Days of Dance

  • Media patrons

  • Media patron of the premiere

  • Partner of the premiere