The Seagull. A Ballet Story
Premiere of the new production by Boris Eifman based on the play by Anton Chekhov
"No, but we must have it under a new form. If we can't do that, let us rather not have it at all."
This choreographic interpretation of Anton Chekhov’s masterpiece could be entitled The Mysteries Behind the Curtain. This phrase, though, which could perhaps initially be seen as an encompassing résumé of the production, is in fact only a superficial reflection of its conception.
The Seagull. A Ballet Story plunges the audience into the unique world of backstage – filled with electrifying passion, enticing and striking in its contrasts. In this world love affairs are entangled with the torment of the creative process, personal dramas are entwined with the mysterious origins of the works of artists. “Discovering the unknown” in Chekhov’s iconic text, Boris Eifman explores how art emerges from the endless and diverse stream of life, which brings together the uplifting and the demeaning, the eternal and the ephemeral.
"Life must be represented not as it is, but as it ought to be; as it appears in dreams."
The ballet, produced in the year that marks the 45th anniversary of Eifman Ballet, is a credible outcome of the choreographer’s long-lasting artistic evolution, an effective synthesis of the accumulated aesthetic experience. At the same time, it also signifies the beginning of a new phase in the choreographer’s creative path.
The Seagull, Anton Chekhov
The Seagull, Anton Chekhov
“
“
"No, but we must have it under a new form. If we can't do that, let us rather not have it at all."
This choreographic interpretation of Anton Chekhov's masterpiece could be entitled The Mysteries Behind the Curtain. This phrase, though, which could perhaps initially be seen as an encompassing résumé of the production, is in fact only a superficial reflection of its conception.
The Seagull. A Ballet Story plunges the audience into the unique world of backstage – filled with electrifying passion, enticing and striking in its contrasts. In this world love affairs are entangled with the torment of the creative process, personal dramas are entwined with the mysterious origins of the works of artists. "Discovering the unknown" in Chekhov's iconic text, Boris Eifman explores how art emerges from the endless and diverse stream of life, which brings together the uplifting and the demeaning, the eternal and the ephemeral.
"Life must be represented not as it is, but as it ought to be; as it appears in dreams."
The ballet, produced in the year that marks the 45th anniversary of Eifman Ballet, is a credible outcome of the choreographer's long-lasting artistic evolution, an effective synthesis of the accumulated aesthetic experience. At the same time, it also signifies the beginning of a new phase in the choreographer's creative path.
The Seagull, Anton Chekhov
The Seagull, Anton Chekhov
“
“
The premiere of The Seagull. A Ballet Story took place on February 22 and 23, 2022 at the Alexandrinsky Theatre.
The main parts were performed by Daniel Rubin (Konstantin Treplev), Victoria Mokrousova (Nina Zarechnaya), Igor Subbotin (Boris Trigorin) and Maria Abashova (Irina Arkadina).
The main parts were performed by Daniel Rubin (Konstantin Treplev), Victoria Mokrousova (Nina Zarechnaya), Igor Subbotin (Boris Trigorin) and Maria Abashova (Irina Arkadina).
The premiere of The Seagull. A Ballet Story took place on February 22 and 23, 2022 at the Alexandrinsky Theatre. The main parts were performed by Daniel Rubin (Konstantin Treplev), Victoria Mokrousova (Nina Zarechnaya), Igor Subbotin (Boris Trigorin) and Maria Abashova (Irina Arkadina).
"Our interpretation of Chekhov's masterpiece is unique. We view the key problems for the play through the prism of Treplev's fate. He is the central character of the ballet, the seagull whose daring takeoff is not destined to take place. Treplev's tragic path from ideas about building his own choreographic world to complete creative collapse has become dramatic basis of the production".
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(Boris Eifman in an interview to the newspaper Kultura)
"Chekhov could not imagine how many various, successful and different productions his play would endure and that it could turn into a ballet story in which rock music sounds and lighting effects are created using innovative technologies of the 21st century."
(Channel One about the premiere of The Seagull. A Ballet Story)
"Today, the Company celebrates its 45th anniversary with a ballet about ballet. The new Seagull was prepared for flight for a year and a half. During this time, the choreographic text has completely changed more than three times. This ballet story is not an updated version of the old one, but completely independent and new, like a form that Treplev was looking for".
(NTV channel about the premiere of the production The Seagull. A Ballet Story)
The Mysteries Behind the Curtain
Pictures made by the Company dancers after the premiere of The Seagull. A Ballet Story
