31 January- 2 February Spartacus ballet at the Bolshoi

Spartacus

Spartacus has all the ingredients of a classical ballet: a story of love, death and betrayal.

The Bolshoi Theatre production of Spartacus is choreographed by its world renowned artistic Director and principal choreographer, the Russian dance compositor and Ballet Master, Yuri Grigorovich. The original premiere was at the Kirov Theatre in Leningrad in 1956. Its’ Moscow premiere was in 1958 and Spartacus is now one of the repertoire Theatres’ most prominent performances.

Aram Khachaturyan wrote a truly beautiful composition, an aural master piece that has been ‘borrowed’ many times by both TV and Film. British fans may recognise the opening piece in Suite No 2, “Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia” as the theme tune from “The Onedin Line”.  It was also used in the infamous film “Caligula”; as the main love theme in the film “Mayerling”; and in “The Hudsucker Proxy”. Even more contemporary, it featured in the 2006 animated film “Ice Age: The Meltdown”, and again in the film’s sequel, “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs”.

It is classical music that has transcended all boundaries; this most triumphant Slavic score is conducted by Pavel Sorokin, the Bolshoi’s renowned Music Director.

The story follows the capture of the Thracian King, Spartacus, and his wife, Phrygia, by the Roman consul Crassus. Spartacus is forced into slavery and gladiatorial combat whilst his wife joins Crassus’s harem. Spartacus incites revolution and frees his wife but Crassus fights back and ultimately prevails.

Whilst immensely rewarding overall, the usual problem of supply and demand exists and next year’s performance is already sold out. We do have a few tickets available.