Frederic Chopin
Lady of the Camellias
Дама с камелиями
John Neumeier’s outstanding ballet is based on the novel of Alexandre Dumas and set to the evocative and romantic music of Frédéric Chopin. This utterly captivating work of rare beauty adds a tragic depth to the passionate yet doomed love. The beautiful 20th century ballet is one of the jewels in the Repertoire of the Bolshoi Theatre. Svetlana Zakharova, prima of the Bolshoi theatre, plays the role of Marguerite Gautier, and Edvin Revazov, principal of the Hamburg Ballet, plays the role of Armand Duval.
Actors
Маргарита Готье
Арман Дюваль
Манон Леско
Де Грие
Прюданс Дювернуа
Гастон Рье
Нанина
Месье Дюваль
Олимпия
Герцог
Граф N
Crew
Хореография, постановка и свет
John Neumeier
Сценография и костюмы
Jürgen Rose
Sets and Costumes: Jürgen Rose
Music Director: Pavel Sorokin
Realization of Lighting Conception: Ralf Merkek
Assistant to Choreographer: Barbara Kurtz
Assistant to Costume Designer: Dominique Gay
Pianist in the pit: Pyotr Chukhnov
Armand Duval Edvin Revazov
Manon Lescaut Anna Tikhomirova
Des Grieux Semyon Chudin
Prudence Duvernoy Kristina Kretova
Gaston Rieux Mikhail Lobukhin
Nanina Anna Antropova
Monsieur Duval Andrei Merkuriev
Olympia Daria Khokhlova
The Duke Alexander Fadeyechev
Count N. Vyacheslav Lopatin
Manon Admirers Vladislav Kozlov, Artur Mkrtchyan, Apollinary Proskurnin
Manon Admirers Sergei Zakharov, Yevgeny Sazonov, Ivan Semirechensky
Pianist on the Stage Alexei Melentyev
Married couple Yuri Ostrovsky, Irina Khachatryan (Yatsenko)
Auctioneer Yegor Simachev
His Assistant Roman Simachev
The ballet takes place during an auction. The story evolves as a series of memories recalled from various points of view — Armand’s, his Father’s, and Marguerite’s.
(All actions during the auction are indicated in light.)
PROLOGUE
Marguerite Gautier, once the most desirable courtesan in Paris, has died. The complete furnishings of her luxurious apartment are to be disposed of by auction. Carrying Marguerite’s diary, Nanina, her loyal servant, bids the place farewell. Among those inspecting the items is Monsieur Duval, whose son Armand rushes in frantically. Overcome by memories, he collapses.
Excerpt from Largo, Irom the Sonala in В minor, Op. 58
ACT I
Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21
As Monsieur Duval comforts him, Armand tells his story.
It begins in the Theatre-des-Varietes, during a performance of the ballet „Manon Lescaut”, in which the famous rococo courtesan deceives Des Grieux with numerous admirers. In the audience, Marguerite Gautier is disgusted by Manon’s frivolous in fidelity. Armand Duval, who has long admired Marguerite, is introduced to her by Gaston Rieux. Marguerite makes fun of Armand’s awkward sincerity. As he follows the ballet, Armand fears that his own future may reflect Des Grieux’s sorrowful fate.
After the performance Marguerite invites Armand to her apartment along with his friend Gaston, the courtesan Prudence and her own escort, the wearisome young Count N. Annoyed by the jealous Count, Marguerite suffers a coughing attack. Armand follows her to her bedroom, offers his assistance, then confesses his love. Marguerite is moved by his sincere passion. However, aware of her fatal illness and needing the comfort of luxury, she insists that their affair must remain secret.
While Marguerite continues to lead her hectic life, hastening from one ball to another, from one admirer to the next, from an old Duke to the young Count, Armand is always there — waiting. When Marguerite departs for the idyllic country house the Duke had put at her disposal — he follows her.
ACT II
Marguerite’s summer straw hat promps Armand to resume his story...
Surrounded by reveling friends and ardent admirers, Marguerite continues her turbulent life in the country.
Valse No. 1 in A-llat major, Op. 34
3 Ecossaises, Op. 72
Valse No. 3 in F major, Op, 34
With the inevitable confrontation between Armand and the Duke, Marguerite’s moment of decision arrives. She publicly acknowledges her love for Armand. Armand and Marguerite are alone at last.
Largo, from the Sonata in В minor, Op. 58
Armand’s father recalls with regret his part in the story.
Ashamed that his son is living with a prostitute, Monsieur Duval visits Marguerite in the country. He insists that her relationship with his son will ruin Armand. Shocked, Marguerite protests, but the image of Manon and her admirers appear in memory, a mirror image of her own past, confirming the truth of Monsieur Duval’s accusations. He demands that she leave Armand. Out of deep and sincere love Marguerite complies.
Prelude No. 2 in A minor, No. 17 in A-flat major, No. 15 in D-flat major, from 24 Preludes, Op. 28
Excerpt Irom Largo, from the Sonata in В minor, Op. 58
Armand tells his father how he found the house deserted.
He waited in vain until Nanina brought him a letter saying that Marguerite had returned to her former life. Unbelieving, Armand runs to Paris, finding Marguerite in the arms of the Duke.
Prelude No. 2 in A minor, No. 24 in D minor, from 24 Preludes, Op. 28
Act III
Armand explains to his father how they met later on the Champs-Élysées.
Marguerite was accompanied by the beautiful young courtesan Olympia. To have his revenge on the woman who had so deeply wounded him, Armand flirts with and seduces Olympia.
Grande fantaisle sur des airs polonais pour le piano avec orchestre in A major, Op. 13, Largo ma non troppo, Andantmo, Vivace
Deathly ill, Marguerite visits Armand, begging him not to hurt her by flaunting his affair with Olympia. Their passion ignites once more. Falling asleep, a vision of her alter ego Manon beckons Marguerite back to her former life. Waking, she remembers her promise to his father and silently leaves Armand for the second time.
Ballade No. 1 in G minor, Op. 23 Andante spianato in E-flat major. Op. 22
At a grand ball, Armand publicly humiliates Marguerite by handing her money as payment for past services. Marguerite collapses.
Grande polonaise brillanfe in E-flat major, Op. 22
Armand has reached the end of his story. He will never see Marguerite again. Deeply moved, his father leaves, as Nanina returns and gives Armand Marguerite’s diary.
Reading, Armand seems to accompany Marguerite on her last visit to the theatre. Again she views a scene from the ballet „Manon Lescaut”. This time it is one in which Manon, impoverished like herself, dies in the arms of her faithful lover Des Grieux.
second movement, Romance, from the Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor. Op. 11
Ill and despairing, Marguerite leaves the theatre, but the characters from the ballet follow her into a feverish dream. As the phantom lovers blend with her own memories, her identification with Manon seems complete. Deserted and longing to see Armand again, Marguerite confides her last thoughts to the diary, which she gives to Nanina for Armand.
Excerpt from Largo, from the Sonata in В minor, Op. 58
Marguerite dies alone.
Armand silently closes her diary.
Language
English, french
Runtime
2 hours 53 minutes with two intermissions
Act 1
52 min
Intermission
12 min
Act 2
42 min
Intermission
15 min
Act 3
52 min
2015
16+