Stanislavsky Theatre
Premiere of this production: 14 Oct 1950 The performance has 2 intermissions Running time: 2 hours Today, the only version to have survived intact is Burmeister’s Esmeralda, created in the golden era of the dramatic ballet and staged in the theatre most attuned to such storytelling — the Stanislavsky Theatre, located in XIX century historical building just 750 metres (9-minute walk) from the Bolshoi. This stage has become home to dancers who have not only performed at the Bolshoi but also trained at the very same world-renowned academies. Ballet at the Stanislavsky Theatre is the great and affordable alternative to the Bolshoi. Victor Hugo’s immortal novel has inspired choreographers across Russia — from Jules Perrot and Marius Petipa to Alexander Gorsky and Vladimir Burmeister. Burmeister, together with Vasily Tikhomirov, crafted a new libretto for the ballet, weaving César Pugni’s music — orchestrated and refined by Reinhold Glière in the 1920s — with original compositions by Sergei Vasilenko, written especially for this production. The striking scenography was designed by Alexander Lushin, the theatre’s chief artist at the time, while the role of Esmeralda at the premiere was brought to life by the celebrated ballerina Violetta Bovt. Ballet historians rank Burmeister’s Esmeralda among the finest dramatic ballets, a true hallmark of the Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko repertoire — as essential to this stage as Chekhov’s plays are to the Moscow Art Theatre. Passed down “from legs to legs” through generations of dancers, it remains a performance where the fates of its characters are etched in movement, drama, and unforgettable artistry. Don’t miss the chance to witness this legendary ballet live in Moscow — an unforgettable evening of passion, drama, and timeless beauty. SynopsisPROLOGUE Night. Along the road walks Gudula, carrying a sleeping child in her arms. Exhausted, she sinks to the ground and falls into a heavy sleep. Passing gypsies, mistaking Gudula for dead, take the child with them. When Gudula awakens and finds the child gone, she decides the baby has been abducted by the gypsies. Overwhelmed with grief, the unfortunate mother loses her sanity. ACT I In front of the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris The people are celebrating the Feast of Fools. By tradition, the “Pope of Fools” must be chosen from among the ugliest participants of the revelry. The choice falls on Quasimodo, the hunchbacked bell-ringer of the cathedral. Seated upon a cask, wearing the fool’s tiara with jingling bells, he graciously accepts the congratulations on his election. Suddenly, the imposing figure of the archdeacon, Claude Frollo, appears before him. He sternly accuses the hunchback of blasphemy. The crowd rises to defend their elected “pope,” but Quasimodo rushes between them and the archdeacon. At that moment, a band of gypsies bursts into the square. Among them is a girl with a tambourine — Esmeralda. The crowd greedily follows her dance. Claude Frollo’s eyes remain fixed upon her. Esmeralda runs to the people to collect coins, but suddenly stops in fright when she notices an old woman in rags with a mad gaze — Gudula. Thus mother and daughter meet unknowingly. Night falls. As Esmeralda is about to leave the deserted square, Claude Frollo orders Quasimodo to abduct her. At her cry for help, the night watch appears, led by Captain Phoebus. They seize Quasimodo, but at Esmeralda’s pleading he is released. Bewitched, Esmeralda gazes after the handsome young captain. ACT II Scene 1 The Parisian nobility has gathered to celebrate the betrothal of the lovely Fleur-de-Lys to Captain Phoebus of the King’s Archers. Guests are invited into the inner chambers. Remaining in the courtyard, Phoebus notices among the gypsies Esmeralda. He commands that they be admitted. Overjoyed at seeing her rescuer again, Esmeralda dances passionately, her eyes fixed upon him. Phoebus, intoxicated with desire, joins her in the dance. Outraged, the mistress of the house orders the gypsies expelled. Scene 2 In a tavern, gypsies dance merrily. Phoebus enters with a group of officers. In a dark corner, hiding from the crowd, sits the hunchback Quasimodo. Esmeralda approaches the officers. At Phoebus’s signal, she follows him willingly. A man in a monk’s robe slips through the door behind them — Claude Frollo. Scene 3 A room where Phoebus has brought Esmeralda. As he moves to embrace her, he suddenly falls, struck by a dagger. When Esmeralda regains consciousness, she finds herself surrounded by soldiers. The girl is led away. Left alone, Quasimodo picks up the dagger from the floor and realizes the culprit is Claude Frollo. ACT III Scene 1 Esmeralda is imprisoned in a dungeon. All that has happened seems like a terrible dream. Claude Frollo appears before her, begging for her love and promising salvation. With horror and anger, Esmeralda rejects him. Left alone, she collapses unconscious. Scene 2 Esmeralda has been condemned to death. All is ready for the execution. People gather from all corners of Paris. The cathedral doors swing open, and Claude Frollo appears once again before Esmeralda, repeating his offer: life in exchange for love. But Esmeralda is ready to face death. The executioner approaches her. Quasimodo rushes forward, knocks the executioner aside, seizes Esmeralda, and carries her into the cathedral. The crowd blocks the guards. Yet soon, Claude Frollo emerges from the cathedral, holding Esmeralda in his arms, and delivers her to the executioner. At that moment, an old woman forces her way through the crowd — it is Gudula, cursing the gypsies for stealing her child. For an instant, her reason returns. By the talisman hanging from Esmeralda’s neck, she recognizes her daughter. Gudula tries to save her, but the soldiers push her away. Scene 3 On one of the towers of the cathedral, Quasimodo mourns the executed Esmeralda. Claude Frollo appears. A struggle ensues. Quasimodo hurls the priest from the tower to the square below… | Cesare Pugni "La Esmeralda" Ballet in 3 acts on the playbill
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