TRANSFORMATION OF AN OPERA PERFORMANCE INTO A BALLET (BY RUSSIAN AND WEST EUROPEAN CHOREOGRAPHERS)

Abstract

The article describes the appearance of such a phenomenon as the transformation of an opera performance into a ballet. The author pays particular attention to the most outstanding performances of this direction. The characteristic of the musical and choreographic basis of the mentioned performances is given. Particular emphasis was placed on the operas The Magic Flute by W. A. Mozart and Carmen by G. Bizet. The appeal to the opera performance makes it possible to replenish and to enrich the ballet repertoire. Meanwhile many ballet masters use to adopt the musical text of the opera for their performances. The exception is The Magic Flute by Maurice Bejart, who tried to present the full-length version of the opera in choreographic expression without any changes on its part. Not every opera is equally possible to use for ballet interpretation, a lot depends on the content of the opera and the specifics of the musical material. At the same time any choreographer has the opportunity to display his creative potential in this area. Almost all choreographers apply modern innovations in their performances in addition to the classical basis, thereby expanding the horizons of their choreographic language.