Tour to Moscow: John Neumeier brings his new version of “Peer Gynt” to the Historical Stage of the Bolshoi Theatre
From the 20th of January, the Hamburg Ballet will present five performances of “Peer Gynt”, one of John Neumeier’s newest creations, on the legendary stage of the Bolshoi Theatre. All five performances are already sold out. Following the successful premiere in Hamburg in June 2015, the new version of this ballet will be introduced to an international audience for the first time.
For John Neumeier, the decision to select “Peer Gynt” for this tour to Moscow is an expression of his artistic relationship with Russia: As early as 1990, only one year after the world premiere, he brought “Peer Gynt” to the Bolshoi Theatre. This was a truly memorable occasion for the Artistic Director of the Hamburg Ballet, especially because the ballet had been created to a commissioned score by the famous composer Alfred Schnittke, who was living and working in Moscow at that time. The upcoming performances featuring Alfred Schnittke’s music will be played by The Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra, conducted by Markus Lehtinen.
During the press briefing on the day of the Bolshoi premiere, John Neumeier explained the ballet’s connection to the Russian capital: “It was a great wish of mine to bring this ballet to Moscow, because it was in this city that it got started in 1985: I suggested the work to Alfred Schnittke, and we actually began to work on it here. After its completion it was very special to be invited to the Bolshoi Theatre in 1990 with this production, Alfred Schnittke was then also able to attend the performances.”
Cast of the tour to the Bolshoi Theatre
The Hamburg Ballet will present the demanding leading roles of “Peer Gynt” with two different casts. The title role of Peer Gynt will be danced by Edvin Revazov (20th and 22nd of January) and Carsten Jung (21st, 23rd and 24th of January). The role of Solveig, Peer’s great and faithful love, will be performed by Anna Laudere (20th and 22nd of January) and Emilie Mazoń (21st, 23rd and 24th of January). Emilie Mazoń’s performances will mark her debut in this particular role as well as her first major performance in Russia.
Two further important female roles, Peer’s mother Aase and “The Other One – Ingrid, The Green One, Anitra”, will be performed by Leslie Heylmann and Hélène Bouchet respectively on the 20th and the 22nd of January. Anna Laudere and Carolina Agüero will perform these roles on the 21st, 23rd and 24th of January. The four different Aspects of Peer Gynt, Innocence, Vision, Agression and Doubt, will be performed by Aleix Martínez, Alexandr Trusch (alternating with Alexandre Riabko on the 22nd of January), Alexandre Riabko (alternating with Marcelino Libao on the 22nd of January) and Dario Franconi (alternating with Marc Jubete on the 21st, 23rd and 24th of January). Further roles will be performed by Konstantin Tselikov (Mads Moen), Thomas Stuhrmann (Ingrid’s father) as well as Laura Cazzaniga and Ivan Urban (Solveig’s parents).
(The cast is subject to change!)
“Peer Gynt” (New Version 2015)
Tour to the Bolshoi Theatre Moscow, Historical Stage
Performances from 20th to 24th January 2016, daily at 7:30 p.m. (24th January: 2:00 p.m.)
Ballet by John Neumeier, free after Henrik Ibsen
Music: Alfred Schnittke
Choreography and Staging: John Neumeier
Set and Costumes: Jürgen Rose
Conductor: Markus Lehtinen
The Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra
All five performances are sold out
Further information: www.bolshoi.ru/en
The performance has 1 intermission
Running time: 3 hours 5 minutes
Synopsis
PROLOGUE
Into the world
Peer has many aspects
FIRST ACT
Norway
The young Peer and his mother Aase Peer’s fantasy – the ride through the air.
Dance on the Haegstadhof – Ingrid’s wedding. Peer sees Solveig, he cannot have her, and kidnaps the bride.
Flight into the mountains.
Peer has Ingrid, and wants Solveig.
Solveig searches for Peer, Aase calls for him.
Phantoms or reality – the troll world.
Peer meets The Green One, he allows himself to be seduced, but does not conform.
Solveig rings the bells.
Roundabout or through the middle to her Peer stands in his own way.
Alone, high up in the mountains Peer builds his house.
Solveig comes to him.
Disruption – the past catches up with Peer, he cannot stay.
Aase is destitute Peer comes to her, she dies. Peer leaves.
SECOND ACT
Out in the World – Illusions
Auditions for a show, the beginner Peer is noticed and is hired.
Revue theatre – «Rainbow Sextet» Peer draws attention to himself he is successful.
Music Hall – «The Slave Handler» Peer builds his career.
Premiere party with the film star Anitra Peer is the centre of attention and courts Anitra.
At the cinema.
Peer’s star rises – Anitra’s sinks.
Premiere party with Peer Gynt the famous film actor, he is the new star.
At the film studio
Peer films «Caeser of the World» he is a megalomaniac, and loses control.
Asylum nightmare Peer has lost himself
THIRD ACT
Return
Homecoming Memories Ingrid’s funeral Solveig waits Peer searches for himself and finds Peer everyman
EPILOGUE
Out of the World
Solveig recognises Peer Peer recognises Solveig.
