03 October 2023 (Tue), 19:00 World famous Bolshoi Ballet and Opera theatre (established 1776) - Marvellous Main (Historic) Stage - Classical Ballet Daniel-Francois-Esprit Auber "Marco Spada" (Ballet in 3 acts) Tickets available only at OperaAndBallet.com
Running time: 2 hours 50 minutes (till 21:50)
Schedule for Daniel-Francois-Esprit Auber "Marco Spada" (Ballet in 3 acts) 2022
Light Designer: Damir Ismagilov Choreography: Pierre Lacotte Scenography: Pierre Lacotte Costume Designer: Pierre Lacotte Assistant of choreography: Anne Salmon Composer: Daniel-Francois-Esprit Auber
Ballet company: Bolshoi Ballet Orchestra: Bolshoi Theatre Symphony Orchestra
Classical Ballet in 3 acts
Premiere of this production: 8 November 2013
The first ballet premiere on the Historic Stage is Marco Spada in a
production by the illustrious French choreographer Pierre Lacotte. The ballet
was originally produced in 1857 under the name Marco Spada, ou La Fille du
Bandit at the Academie royale de danse et musique (today the Paris Opera)
by choreographer Joseph Mazilier and to music by Daniel-Franзois-Esprit
Auber. In 1981 Pierre Lacotte did a reconstruction of the ballet for Rudolf
Nureyev who appeared in it at Rome Opera. Taking part in the premiere were
also the Paris Opera etoiles Ghislaine Thesmar and Michael Denard.
Pierre
Lacotte has created a new version of the ballet for the Bolshoi Theatre. This
particular production is distinguished from the version created for Rudolf
Nureyev by a greater number of personages, the scale of its corps de ballet
scenes and also by changes in the choreography of the roles of the
main characters. As per its agreement with Pierre Lacotte, the Theatre will
have exclusive rights to the production.
Synopsis
Act I
Scene
1 Having gathered together to celebrate a wedding, the
peasants complain to the Governor of Rome about the misdeeds
of a certain Marco Spada. Though they have never set eyes on him,
rumours about the robberies he has carried out in the district are
a hot topic of conversation with them. A regiment
of dragoons enters the village. Count Pepinelli, captain of the
dragoons, falls for the charms of the Governor’s daughter, Marchesa
Sampietri. But, alas, the latter is betrothed to Prince Frederici...
Taking advantage of the situation, Marco Spada, incognito, empties the
pockets of the onlookers. General consternation! Rain scatters the crowd.
The only person left in the square is Friar Borromeo, whom Marco Spada
has deftly relieved of all the alms he has collected.
Scene 2 The Marchesa, the Governor of Rome and
Count Pepinelli, who have got lost on a mountain walk, have
no idea they have taken refuge in Marco Spada’s lair. Angela, the
bandit’s daughter, is also totally ignorant of her father’s
clandestine activities. In the belief that no one is at home
Spada’s accomplices quickly fill the room but then, just as quickly,
vanish. Pepinelli, who has witnessed all this, warns Spada, that his house has
been invaded by bandits. The dragoons take up their posts. The
trap-doors in the floor open up again and the pictures hanging
on the walls shift positions — but this time only to reveal
to the astonished visitors a laden table and seductive young women!
Act II
The Governor invites Marco Spada and
Angela to a ball. At the very moment that Prince Frederici
is about to ask Spada for his daughter’s hand in marriage, Friar
Borromeo turns up and complains to all and sundry he has been
robbed. Borromeo says he will recognize the thief. Spada decides
it is time to vanish but, before he manages
to do so, Borromeo points him out. At last the penny drops:
a shattered Angela tells Prince Frederici she cannot be his bride. The
piqued Prince immediately announces his betrothal to the Marchesa. Now
it is Pepinelli’s turn to be put out.
Act
III
Scene 1 Pepinelli decides to declare his love
to the Marchesa for the last time but, the latter, having already made
up her mind, comes to meet him in her wedding dress. Suddenly the
bandits show up from all directions and kidnap both the Marchesa and the
Count.
Scene 2 Surrounded by his cronies Marco
Spada, to his astonishment, catches sight of Angela in bandit
garb. “In life or death! I accept my fate and want
to live here with you all”. Against his will, Friar Borromeo is forced
to marry the Marchesa and Pepinelli. The approaching regiment can
be heard in the distance, the bandits decide to take refuge
in a cave, seizing Frederici and the Governor whom they come across
on their way. But Angela intervenes and saves the lives of both
of the latter. Shots are heard close at hand. Marco Spada
is mortally wounded. He appears, staggering. Before he dies,
he makes a confession which dumbfounds the soldiers: Angela,
he says, is not his daughter. This lie saves her from arrest and
leaves the way open for her marriage to Prince Frederici.
Schedule for Daniel-Francois-Esprit Auber "Marco Spada" (Ballet in 3 acts) 2022
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