Ballet "Ivan the Terrible" - premiered at the Bolshoi

• The ballet "Ivan the Terrible" - premiered at the Bolshoi

At the Bolshoi Theater, the premiere of the famous ballet.

"After the first show, I wandered through the streets. It was impossible after the performance of such extraordinary power immediately go home and engage in mundane affairs. I did not have to think before what was the era. " So wrote the great Galina Ulanova after the premiere of the ballet "Ivan the Terrible" in February 1975

Historian Alexander Kolesnikov Ballet:

"Ivan the Terrible" - a completely unexpected for the ballet world of the time plan. He was well known for the eponymous film by Sergei Eisenstein, who was shot during the war, and music to it by Sergei Prokofiev. Even then, after the appearance of the film, Abram Stasevich, who conducted the orchestra in the recording, Prokofiev said: "The music has to be independent. We have to do it for a symphony orchestra. " What Prokofiev told him: "Do what you want." And Stasevich connected individual pieces. This was the first small step.

In 1973-74 director of the Bolshoi theater composer Michael Chulaki decided to create together with Grigorovich Ballet. Here then the next step was taken: the music, the rest after Prokofiev and Abram Stasevich, he was converted into a ballet score. But it was not enough, and so it was decided that the foundation will complement the works of Prokofiev this period and this theme.

Sets and costumes to the production of "Ivan the Terrible" were invented and made famous theater artist Simon Virsaladze.

Virsaladze created on the stage of the iconic giant triptych as the main decoration. He either instantly opened, or "hide" certain staging. Virsaladze invented costumes dancing boyars - when singers moved the audience seemed to come to life murals. The cut and color of the clothes the artist created together with Grigorovich. He used the costumes and scenery are the same colors and materials, achieving unity of action. About it said that "clothes do not play Virsaladze characters, and the dance itself." And in art workshops of the Bolshoi is still in the course of the term "color Virsaladze" - so say about the complex, muted shades that loved master.

Yuri Grigorovich Simon Virsaladze. Suliko - as he was called at the Grand.

The scenery for the play in 1975 have already been lost, and a new version of their redo the remaining sketches, but the costumes, over each of which worked very Virsaladze, and I kept them in the workshops of the theater saw with my own eyes.

All the costumes for "Ivan the Terrible" were handmade, many were created "for living" - Virsaladze Adds details, cut off excess folds disbanded or going, actors repeated movement, to show how to heal costume on stage.

"boyars costumes were sewn burlap - recalled honored artist Yuri Vetrov - and he brush our eyes put on their gold paint. They turned into an expensive brocade. "

Here are the costumes in a scene with Prince Kurbsky. Big does not have time to restore them to the premiere and rented at the Paris Opera. Yesterday, the Bolshoi Ballet danced "Ivan the Terrible" in French costumes.

These suits Virsaladze restored here - in the Bolshoi Theater workshops. Based on the walls, the last time here doing repairs at the same time created the ballet "Ivan the Terrible".

Only a few masters serve the whole "costume" Grand Park. And in one only "Ivan the Terrible" more than two hundred costumes, not counting parts.

Historian Alexander Kolesnikov Ballet:

"The premiere of" Ivan the Terrible "was held February 20, 1975. Natalia Bessmertnova - Anastasia, in the title role was Yuri Vladimirov and Kurbsky danced Boris Akimov. To say that the show just sounded - to say nothing. It was said, and it was not just another workshop staged by the Bolshoi, but a kind of a coup within the world of ballet, ballet theme. After 2-3 months the theater went on tour in the United States. A very rare occasion when a new show went on tour. There's "Ivan the Terrible" produced an extraordinary effect "

1975 Natalia Bessmertnova preparing to go on stage.

On the left - Yuri Vladimirov, the first performer of the king of the party Ivan in ballet. Next - Yuri Grigorovich, N. Simachev and Kudryavtsev.

One of the oldest employees of the theater, head of art-production workshop for the production of costumes Galina Nuritzhanova shows remaining soloists costumes for the first production of "Ivan the Terrible"

1975 Vladimir Vasilyev as Ivan the king.

1975 Vladimir Vasiliev in the final scene of the ballet.

The historian Alexander Kolesnikov Ballet: "In fact, the first performance in the United States, attended by Paul Lieberman, director of the Paris Opera. He ran into the intermission behind the scenes presented and agree on the fact that "Ivan" was staged in Paris. Already in December 1976, "Ivan the Terrible" went to the Palais Garnier, the Paris opera. The prime minister came to dance Bolshoi Bessmertnova and Vladimir. But it is important that it was delivered to the French company and the performance was in their repertoire. "

The Paris Opera has helped more that, as I wrote, did not have time to prepare for the premiere of old costumes. The French, whose "Ivan the Terrible" is still, sent his stage clothes. The task was to make the costume fitting for all the artists, see if suits are suitable.

Costume messenger winning tries soloist of the Bolshoi Julia Grebenshchikov.

Olga Marchenkova measures the outfit Boyarina.

Yesterday, at the Grand Theater, the premiere of a new version of the ballet "Ivan the Terrible". Here are a few photos of the dress rehearsal, which took place on November 4th. Fantastic eyecatcher! "Ivan the Terrible" at the Grand again - it is certainly worth seeing.

Tsar Ivan the Terrible - Paul Dmitrichenko

Princess Anastasia - Anna Nikulina

Prince Kurbsky - Artem Ovcharenko