Dance Country Germany is the motto for the upcoming 2013/2014 season here at the Bavarian State Ballet. Our program will focus on the significant choreographic impulses originating from Germany in decades past. The 2014/2015 season will expand on that concept even further.
ALEXEI RATMANSKY TO WORK ON A NEW «PAQUITA» IN MUNICH
In only a couple of weeks’ time, the world premiere of Terence Kohler’s Helden will open the Ballet Festival Week 2013. During this eventful week in April, we also welcome the Mikhailovsky Ballet St. Petersburg for two guest performances of Nacho Duato’s Sleeping Beauty, as well as host several international guest principals for the Terpsichore Gala XI. This evening will also include the Germany premiere of Sir Frederick Ashton’s Birthday Offering.
Though it is still a while away, we are most excited to announce that Alexei Ratmansky will stage a full-length Paquita for the Bavarian State Ballet during the 2014/2015 season. We have attached more detailed information on the production with this e-mail.
Kind regards from all of us in Munich!
ALEXEI RATMANSKY TO WORK ON A NEW «PAQUITA» IN MUNICH
Premiere on December 13, 2014 at the Nationaltheater.
Alexei Ratmansky leads a team of renowned dance scholars and artists to collaborate on a production of “Paquita” for the Bavarian State Ballet. Reconstruction and new creation in one, the full-length classic will be premiered on December 13, 2014 at the Nationaltheater Munich.
The Bavarian State Ballet continues to stay true to its tradition of presenting great 19th century works in a new light. Under consideration of the vast variety of historic documents available, Mr. Ratmansky will work on a new version of “Paquita”. Keeping the spirit and overall frame work of the original, the goal is to create an enjoyable evening for todays’ audiences.
“Paquita” was created in 1846 in Paris by choreographer Joseph Mazilier set to music by Eduard-Marie-Ernest Deldevez. There is no documentation of the original choreography – merely the music score is left today. In 1847, Marius Petipa presented an adapted version in St. Petersburg which was developed further over the course of the next 40 years. The definitive version was finally established in 1881 – the work had progressed from a romantic ballet to a signature Petipa “grand ballet” with new musical contributions by Ludwig Minkus. Over the next few decades to the 1st World War, the ballet was performed less and less in its complete version. Instead, solely the Grand Pas from the last act to music by Minkus was seen on stage. Until today, the Grand Pas is performed in various choreographic interpretations and nuances.
A full-length “Paquita” exists today only in the form of the glamorous Pierre Lacotte production at the Paris Opera Ballet which was premiered in 2001. This version is characterized by the musical arrangement from Michael Coleman and Lacotte’s very own choreography inspired by the early 19th century romantic style. For the production period of this great classic, the Bavarian State Ballet will once again provide the choreographer with a team of artistic and research staff, in order to assist
with the analysis of historical music- and choreographic documentation. For “Paquita” this team will consist of St. Petersburg native Maria Bababina, pianist and music historian, employed at the Bavarian State Ballet since 1990. She was in charge of musical arrangements for “La Bayadère”, “Raymonda” and “Le Corsaire”. Joining her is Doug Fullington from the artistic administration of the Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB) in Seattle, USA. With the help of Fullington’s interpretation of the Stepanov-Notation contained in the Sergejev-papers, Ivan Liška staged his rendition of “Le Corsaire” in Munich. Alexei Ratmansky will be able to refer to similar historical sources with the help of Mr. Fullington while working on “Paquita”. Furthermore, Marian Smith will support Mr. Ratmansky as a well-known expert of 19th century romantic ballet. Her published works are standard literature for dance scholars around the world. She is currently on faculty at the University of Oregon, USA.
The premiere of “Paquita” will mark the end of a series of 19th century works revived at the Bavarian State Ballet. The goal is and was to handle the choreographic legacy with great respect and authenticity whilst still doing current developments in theater world justice.
Currently, the repertory includes six works by Marius Petipa – each one a unique interpretation meant to pay tribute to the creative genius at the heart of the ballet world, achieved by renowned artists of our time: “La Bayadère” (1997, Patrice Bart), “Raymonda” (2001, Ray Barra), “Le Corsaire” (2007, Ivan Liška). In addition, three productions inspired by Tchaikovsky classics complete the series: John Neumeier’s “Illusions – like Swan Lake” and “The Nutcracker” are two new interpretations, while Ivan Liška’s “Sleeping Beauty” remains close to the traditions of the original version.
©2013 Danza Ballet
