The New Mariinsky Theatre
This is the bridge between the old Mariinsky Theatre on the left and the new Mariinsky on the right.
The difference between the old and new theatres.
There was a huge out cry when the new Mariinsky was built. People didn't (and still don't) like the look of the theatre and believe that it is very ugly and cant compare with the beauty and history of the famous original Mariinsky Theatre. Every single Russian that I spoke to about the new theatre said that the hated it. See pictures below and decide what you think...
The inside
Myself and my friend Lindsey.
The auditorium.
These are lights.
The curtain of the stage.
The performance that we went to watch was called The Little Humpbacked Horse.
Here is a brief story of the Ballet
History & Background
The Little Humpbacked Horse (Конек-горбунок) is the tale of a simple young boy, Ivan, and his friend the Humpbacked Horse. After Ivan’s two fine stallions are stolen, the magical Humpbacked Horse and a firebird feather lead him from an idyllic life at his father’s farm into the service of the Tsar. The latter sends Ivan on various missions: to the top of a Mountain to find a Tsar Maiden, to retrieve an engagement ring from the bottom of the sea, and to bathe in a boiling cauldron. But with the assistance of his magical horse, the heroic Ivan ends up winning the Tsar Maiden’s hand and taking the throne.
This well-known tale is a staple of every Russian childhood and has important connections to older folklore like The Firebird. As with La Fille Mal Gardée, The Little Humpbacked Horse has seen several choreographic incarnations over time. The tale was first staged as a ballet by Arthur Saint-Léon (who would later choreograph Coppélia), with a score by Cesare Pugni. It premiered at the Imperial Ballet on 15 December 1864, with Marfa Muravieva and Timofei Stukolkin in the leading roles.
If you would like to read the synopsis of this ballet I have posted it below
Act I
Scene 1: A Farmhouse close to a field
We see an old man at home with his sons Gavrilo, Danilo and the youngest, Ivan. The man goes out to cut rye wheat while Ivan’s brothers arrange an outdoor party. Returning from the field, the man is disappointed to find them dancing and making merry with wet nurses. He orders them to stop and expels the maidens. Hoping they will learn to be more responsible, he tells his sons of a terrible villain who comes at night to trample on the wheat and sends Gavrilo and Danilo out to guard the field. Ivan is eager to accompany them but is considered too young and clumsy. His brothers think he is a fool but Ivan, who is afraid of nothing, is determined to help catch the villain. He decides to set out into the field alone.
Scene 2: the Field
Ivan sees a beautiful Young Mare trot into the field. The mare is trampling and ruining the wheat. Ivan reacts quickly: grabbing the mare by the tail he awkwardly mounts the animal back to front. The Young Mare is not amused and keeps trying to buck off Ivan. It finally gives up and decides to barter with Ivan: it will gift him three Horses, two stallions plus a little Humpbacked Horse in exchange for its freedom. Ivan is puzzled by the Humpbacked Horse but accepts the trade. Distracted by firebirds that have just landed on the field, Ivan hasn’t noticed Gavrilo and Danilo wander in. They covet the beautiful horses. As Ivan returns with a firebird feather he realises the stallions have disappeared. Visibly upset, he is consoled by the little Humpbacked Horse, who promises to help Ivan pursue the abductors. Ivan realises this is indeed no ordinary horse. Together they set off on their first adventure.
Vladimir Shklyarov as Ivan in Ratmansky's The Little Humpbacked Horse. Photo: Natasha Razina / Mariinsky Theatre ©
Scene 3: A Square in the Capital
People are making merry and some dance a quadrille. Gavrilo and Danilo have just arrived with the intention of selling the horses. The Tsar also enters to have a look around. He has noticed the stallions and is interested in them. Ivan and the Humpbacked Horse rush onto the square in time to stop Ivan’s brothers, but the Tsar has become attached to the animals and wants to bargain with Ivan. The Tsar offers Ivan the Chamberlain’s hat (thus indirectly his job). They make a deal, leaving the Chamberlain enraged and jealous of Ivan.
Scene 4 : The Tsar’s Chambers
The wet nurses are feeding the Tsar who soon falls asleep. Ivan is also tired and ready to go to sleep. The demoted Chamberlain is keeping a close eye on Ivan and, as soon as Ivan dozes off , he snatches the firebird’s feather from him. He awakens the Tsar and they wonder how Ivan has acquired such riches. Ivan’s feather leads the Tsar to a vision of the firebirds and, amongst them, a lonely Tsarevna. The vision fades but the Tsar is now in love with the Tsarevna. The Chamberlain wakes Ivan from his sleep and orders him to bring in the maiden. Ivan is in despair. He doesn’t know where to seek out such a creature. Once again, the Little Horse comforts Ivan and tells him not to worry, together they hatch a plan and depart for yet another adventure.
Act II
Scene 1: A Mountain at the edge of the world
Ivan and the Horse have come to the edge of the world to find the firebirds and the Tsarevna. Ivan tries to capture the Firebirds but they fly away. He now sees the beautiful Tsar maiden and cannot take his eyes off her. The Tsarevna is also somewhat taken with Ivan and allows him and the Little Horse to capture her and take her to the Capital.
Scene 2
The Tsar and his Boyars are in the royal chambers waiting for the Tsarevna. Ivan returns with the Little Horse and the maiden. The Tsar wakes up and sends everyone away. He declares to the Tsarevna that he plans to marry her and shows her an engagement ring. Ivan – who loves the Tsarevna – is distressed. The Tsar maiden agrees to marry, but she is not happy with the ring; for she wants a stone that lies on the seabed. The Chamberlain knows just how to procure such a stone: he gives the task once again to Ivan, who leaves for the seabed with his magical horse.
Yekaterina Kondaurova as the Sea Princess with Artists of the Mariinsky Ballet in The Little Humpbacked Horse. Photo: Natasha Razina / Mariinsky Theatre ©
Scene 3: The Seabed
Ivan and the Little Horse reach the seabed where the Sea people are going about their marine lives. Ivan looks for the ring, which is nowhere to be found. Ivan has the idea to ask for help and the Sea Princess agrees to bring him the stone ring.
Scene 4: The square in the Capital
The Tsarevna is invited to dance by the Tsar. She accepts but the Tsar is old and tires quickly. Ivan reappears with his Little Horse and the stone to the Tsarevna’s delight. Angy that Ivan has once again been successful, the Chamberlain snatches the ring and tells Ivan his services are no longer required, as the Tsar is ready to marry. But the Tsarevna does not really fancy the Tsar for a husband. She has a plan of her own: she tells him that first he needs to become “as handsome as a portrait” and for that he must jump into a cauldron of boiling water.
As the cauldron is brought in, the Tsar worries about jumping into boiling water. The Chamberlain once again suggests he gets Ivan to try it out. The faithful Little Horse works a spell and Ivan is transformed into a handsome Tsarevich. The people rejoice. It is now the Tsar’s turn. However, without the Little Humpbacked Horse to work his spell it all goes wrong: the Tsar dies as soon as he immerses himself in boiling water. He is briefly mourned by his subjects but Ivan Tsarevich and the Tsarevna are delighted as they can now be with each other. Preparations for the wedding are made and the couple celebrates with the Little Humpbacked Horse and the people.
Vladimir Shklyarov as Ivan and Alina Somova as the Tsar Maiden in Ratmansky's The Little Humpbacked Horse. Photo: Natasha Razina / Mariinsky Theatre ©
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