R. Shchedrin ballet "The Little Humpbacked Horse"

R. Shchedrin ballet "The Little Humpbacked Horse"

Fairy-tale scenes have always attracted composers of all generations and countries for their colors, satire, the ability to fully reveal emotionally and, of course, their intricate stories. Not an exception was Rodion Shchedrin, who wrote the ballet based on the tale of P. Ershov "The Humpbacked Horse". Libretto authors V. Vainonen and P. Malyarevsky.

Summary

The tale teaches good, makes fun of human vices and that is why it is so attractive to us. The ballet plot is saturated with actions and follows the original source completely. Everyone is well aware of the story of how the girl ordered the king to dip first in a vat of boiling milk, then with a cold one. Do you remember? This is the famous fairy tale "Little Humpbacked Horse". A mysterious four-legged friend appears out of nowhere and helps all over Ivan, the village boy, who was fortunate enough to become a groom at the very king. But the envy of the former employee does not give rest to the young man and he tells the ruler about the outlandish heat of the firebird that Ivan has.

Seeing this magic pen, the king immediately lost his head from his beauty, but even more she spun from the pretty beauty of the king-girl, whose image suddenly appeared in front of everyone, along with other wonderful visions. This magical heat-bird feather painted these wonderful beauties. Naturally, the impatient king immediately sends the poor youth Ivan and his faithful friend Skate-Hunchback for this girl. Mutual feelings flare up between young people and when, after another order from the tsar, to get the missing ring of the tsar-maiden Ivan returns to the palace, the girl goes for another trick. She offers the old king to rejuvenate and bathe in those most ill-fated vats of boiling water. Alas, even despite all the ranks, the ruler does not have such a magical Humpbacked Horse, ready to help at any moment. The king rushes into a vat of boiling milk and no longer pops up from there, but the people are praising the young couple with might and main, singing songs and dancing to them.

R. Shchedrin composed his fabulous ballet while still a student at the conservatory. It was thanks to this performance that he met and fell madly in love with a charming girl, Maya Plesetskaya, who later became his lawful wife. In his interviews, the composer noted that thanks to this work, he caught in his musical hands a real Firebird - his wife. Needless to say that the premiere was a success? The public and critics were delighted with the stunning ballet full of humor, bright colors and beautiful folk music. We suggest you not to plunge into a vat of milk, but as a child, and to see the beautiful staging of the fairy tale ballet R. Shchedrin “The Little Humpbacked Horse”.