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Bolshoi Ballet: Jewels
George Balanchine's jewel-themed triptych, strikingly choreographed to the music of Faure, Stravinsky and Tchaikovsky. This three act masterpiece is renowned as the world's first full-length abstract ballet. The Russian-born co-founder of the New York City Ballet, Balanchine was inspired by the artistry of jewellery designer Claude Arpels to create a trio of distinct movements revealing the essence of each precious stone. Each part also evokes three different cities: Paris, New York and St. Petersburg. 'Emeralds' was conceived as a tribute to the French romantic school, with music by Gabriel Faure. The fiery and energetic 'Rubies' taps into the rich tradition of Broadway musicals, with music by Stravinsky. 'Diamonds' honours the grandeur of Imperial Russia and the Maryinsky Theater, choreographed to the music of Tchaikovsky. With its jewel-like costumes, this is a celebration of the influences on the choreographer who was described as the father of American ballet.
Insights
Plot Summary
This production captures the Bolshoi Ballet's stunning performance of George Balanchine's iconic "Jewels." The ballet is divided into three distinct acts: "Emeralds," "Rubies," and "Diamonds," each with its own unique mood, music, and choreography. The dancers showcase both technical brilliance and artistic interpretation, bringing to life Balanchine's abstract yet evocative exploration of classical ballet's elegance and purity.
Critical Reception
The Bolshoi Ballet's rendition of "Jewels" has been widely acclaimed for its faithful execution of Balanchine's masterful choreography and the exceptional artistry of its principal dancers. Critics often highlight the precision, musicality, and individual performances, noting the company's ability to embody the distinct character of each jewel-inspired section. It is generally regarded as a benchmark production of this beloved 20th-century ballet.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for the Bolshoi's technical prowess and the adherence to Balanchine's choreography.
Individual performances, particularly from the principal dancers, are frequently singled out for excellence.
The production successfully captures the distinct atmosphere and stylistic nuances of each movement: 'Emeralds,' 'Rubies,' and 'Diamonds.'
Google audience: Audience reviews are not readily available for this specific ballet performance recording.
Fun Fact
George Balanchine created "Jewels" in 1967, his first full-length ballet for New York City Ballet, inspired by the collections of jewelry he admired from Tiffany & Co. jewelers in New York, Van Cleef & Arpels in Paris, and Cartier in London.
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