Petrushka ballet on Leningrad stage

Abstract

The article tells about important stages of the ballet Petrushka by M. Fokine in the Soviet times. The author discusses two versions of the ballet both of which were played in Leningrad. The first version was staged by L. Leontiev in the 1920s on the State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet (GATOB)’s stage. The latter one was choreographed by K.F. Boyarsky in 1961 and played at the Leningrad Academic Maly Opera Theatre (MALEGOT). Based on the analysis of numerous documents and literature one could see several differences in artistic approach and stage presence taken in these two shows. The article reveals previously not published thoughts of the ballet’s authors and people of its era. This paper interprets dance parties, including the performance of Petrushka’s role by dancers L. Leontiev and V. Panov. This research restores unknown details of contemporary views on K. Boyarsky’s creative work, and also reflects the value of the Fokine’s ballet reconstructions in the Soviet dance theatre.