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Ballet by John Neumeier based on Anton Chekhov
The Seagull
Chekhov, like Shakespeare, is an author who creates characters so complete, so true that they live in the imagination beyond and independent from the text. It is the emotional life behind Chekov’s words that I transform into dance. For me, the central theme and conflict of The Seagull is the relationship between love and art – art and love.
John Neumeier
Music: Dmitri Shostakovich, Evelyn Glennie, Peter I. Tchaikovsky, Alexander Scriabin
Choreography, Set and Costumes: John Neumeier
2 hours 30 minutes | 1 intermission
Part 1: 60 minutes, Part 2: 60 minutes
PREMIERE:
The Hamburg Ballet, Hamburg, June 16, 2002
ORIGINAL CAST:
Irina Nikolayevna Arkadina: Anna Polikarpova
Konstantin (Kostya) Gavrilovich Triplev: Ivan Urban (for Jirí Bubenícek)
Piotr Nikolayevich Sorin: Lloyd Riggins
Boris Alexeyivich Trigorin: Otto Bubenícek
Nina Mikhailovna Zarechnaya: Heather Jurgensen
Yevgeny Sergeyivich Dorn:Sébastien Thill
Semyon Semyonovich Medvedenko: Peter Dingle
Ilya Afanasevich Shamrajev: Yaroslav Ivanenko
Polina Andreyevna: Niurka Moredo
Masha: Joëlle Boulogne
ON TOUR:
2018 Vienna
IN THE REPERTORY:
Finnish National Ballet
Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Music Theatre
The National Ballet of Canada
Synopsis
FIRST ACT
In the Country
Kostja has built a stage in the garden of his uncle Piotr Sorin's estate. Nina, a girl from the neighbouring farm, arrives to dance the title role in his creation "Soul of the Seagull".
Kostya loves Nina. Nina loves Kostya.
Kostya's mother, the famous prima ballerina Irina Arkadina arrives with her lover, the choreographer Boris Trigorin. Among the other guests for Kostja's performances are: Ilya Shamrayev, foreman of Sorin's estate, his wife Polina, their daughter Masha, the physician Dr. Dorn, and the village school teacher, Semyon Medvedenko.
Medvedenko loves Masha. Masha loves Kostya. Kostya loves Nina. Nina falls in love with Trigorin. Trigorin loves Arkadina but is fascinated by Nina. Arkadina loves Trigorin. Polina loves Dr. Dorn.
Kostya's Dance Piece "Soul of the Seagull"
Music from across the Lake – Arkadina recalls one of her famous roles
Arkadina speaks with her son Kostya
Trigorin teaches Nina
Card games and Amusement
Jealousy and Decisions
Kostya's Dream Dances
SECOND ACT
Moscow
Revue Theatre: Nina is one in a chorus line
Nina meets a changed Trigorin -
The Revue goes on
Kostya's Sketch Book – Dream Dances
Nina's Polka
Imperial Theatre: Trigorin's Ballet "Death of the Seagull"
Masha decides to marry Medvedenko
Nina's letter to Kostya
Autumn Garden: Sorin faints
Arkadina's Visit – A sad Wedding Celebration
Nina's Appearance – Nina's Farewell
Kostya's Dream Dances end ...
