ARCHIVIO IEM Stravinsky's Petrushka (London Symphony Orchestra / Valery Gergiev)

• published: 23 Jun 2013
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Istituto Europeo di Musica General and Art Director Davide Polovineo Archivio IEM- Prot. Stravinsky-Pet. 16 Stravinsky's Petrushka London Symphony Orchestra Cond. Valery Gergiev Structure in four tableaux. Episodes: Tableau I: The Shrovetide Fair [Introduction] A group of Drunken Revelers passes, dancing The Master of Ceremonies entertains the Crowd from his booth above An Organ-Grinder appears in the Crowd with a [woman] Dancer The Organ-Grinder begins to play The Dancer dances, beating time on the triangle At the other end of the stage a Music Box plays, another [woman] Dancer dancing around it. The first Dancer plays the triangle again The Organ and Music Box stop playingg; the Master of Ceremonies resumes his pitch The Merry Group returns Two Drummers, stepping up in front of the Little Theater, attract the attention of the Crowd by their drumrolls At the front of [i.e. from inside] the Little Theater appears the Old Magician. The Magic Trick The Magician plays the flute The curtain of the Little Theater opens and the Crowd sees three puppets: Petrushka (Guignol), a Moor, and a Ballerina The Magician brings them to life by touching them lightly with his flute. Russian Dance Petrushka, the Moor, and the Ballerina suddenly begin to dance, to the great astonishment of the Crowd Darkness, the Curtain falls Tableau II: Petrushka's Room As the Curtain rises, the door to Petrushka's room opens suddenly; a foot kicks him onstage; Petrushka falls and the door closes again behind him Petrushka's curses The Ballerina enters The Ballerina leaves Petrushka's despair Darkness. Curtain. Tableau III: The Moor's Room [Introduction] The Moor dances Appearance of the Ballerina Dance of the Ballerina (cornet in hand) Waltz (The Ballerina and the Moor) The Moor and the Ballerina prick up their ears Appearance of Petrushka The Fight between the Moor and Petrushka. The Ballerina faints. The Moor throws Petrushka Out. Darkness. Curtain. Tableau IV: The Shrovetide Fair (Toward Evening) [Introduction] The Wet-Nurses' Dance A Peasant enters with a Bear. Everyone scatters. The Peasant plays the pipe. The Bear walks on his hind feet. The Peasant and the Bear leave. A Reveling Merchant and two Gypsy Women Enter. He irresponsibly amuses himself by throwing bank notes to the Crowd. The Gypsy Women dance. The Merchant plays the accordion. The Merchant and the Gypsies leave Dance of the Coachmen and the Grooms The Wet-Nurses dance with the Coachmen and the Grooms The Mummers The Devil (Mummer) induces the Crowd to frolic with him Buffoonery of the Mummers (Goat and Pig) The Mummers and the Maskers dance The rest of the Crowd joins in the Mummers' Dance The Crowd continues to dance without taking notice of the cries coming from the Little Theater. The dances break off. Petrushka dashes from the Little Theater, pursued by the Moor, whom the Ballerina tries to restrain. The furious Moor seizes him and strikes him with his saber. Petrushka falls, his head broken A crowd forms around Petrushka He dies, still moaning. A Policeman is sent to look for the Magician The Magician arrives He picks up Petrushka's corpse, shaking it. The Crowd disperses. The Magician remains alone on stage. He drags Petrushka's dorpse toward the Little Theater. Above the Little Theater appears the Ghost of Petrushka, menacing, thumbing his nose at the Magician. The terrified Magician lets the Puppet-Petrushka drop from his hands, and exits quickly, casting frightened glances over his shoulder. Curtain