''Raymonda'' (russian: Раймонда) is a

ballet Ballet () is a type of performance dance that originated during the Italian Renaissance in the fifteenth century and later developed into a concert dance form in France and Russia. It has since become a widespread and highly technical form ...

in three acts, four scenes with an

apotheosis Apotheosis (, ), also called divinization or deification (), is the glorification of a subject to divine levels and, commonly, the treatment of a human being, any other living thing, or an abstract idea in the likeness of a deity. The term ha ...

, choreographed by

Marius Petipa Marius Ivanovich Petipa (russian: Мариус Иванович Петипа), born Victor Marius Alphonse Petipa (11 March 1818), was a French ballet dancer, pedagogue and choreographer. Petipa is one of the most influential ballet masters an ...

to music by

Alexander Glazunov Alexander Konstantinovich Glazunov; ger, Glasunow (, 10 August 1865 – 21 March 1936) was a Russian composer, music teacher, and conductor of the late Russian Romantic period. He was director of the Saint Petersburg Conservatory between 190 ...

, his

Opus ''Opus'' (pl. ''opera'') is a Latin word meaning "work". Italian equivalents are ''opera'' (singular) and ''opere'' (pl.). Opus or OPUS may refer to: Arts and entertainment Music * Opus number, (abbr. Op.) specifying order of (usually) publicatio ...

57. It was first presented by the

Imperial Ballet The Mariinsky Ballet (russian: Балет Мариинского театра) is the resident classical ballet company of the Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Founded in the 18th century and originally known as the Imperial Russ ...

at the Imperial Mariinsky Theatre on in

Saint Petersburg Saint Petersburg ( rus, links=no, Санкт-Петербург, a=Ru-Sankt Peterburg Leningrad Petrograd Piter.ogg, r=Sankt-Peterburg, p=ˈsankt pʲɪtʲɪrˈburk), formerly known as Petrograd (1914–1924) and later Leningrad (1924–1991), i ...

Russia Russia (, , ), or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country spanning Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. It is the largest country in the world, with its internationally recognised territory covering , and encompassing one-ei ...

. The ballet was created especially for the

benefit performance A benefit performance is a type of live entertainment which is undertaken for a cause. In its original usage, benefit performances were opportunities for an actor to supplement his/her income. In its modern usage, benefit performances are given to ...

of the Italian ballerina

Pierina Legnani Pierina Legnani (September 30, 1863 – November 15, 1930) was an Italian ballerina considered one of the greatest ballerinas of all time. Biography Legnani was born on September 30, 1863, in Milan and originally studied with famous ballet dan ...

, who created the title role. Among the ballet's most celebrated passages is the ''Pas classique hongrois'' (a.k.a. ''Raymonda Pas de dix'') from the third act, which is often performed independently. Today ''Raymonda'' is performed by many ballet companies throughout the world with choreography that is derived primarily from the Kirov Ballet's 1948 revival as staged by

Konstantin Sergeyev Konstantin Mikhaylovich Sergeyev (russian: Константин Михайлович Сергеев; 5 March 1910 (20 February Old Style) – 1 April 1992) was a Russian danseur, artistic director and choreographer for the Kirov Theatre. When the ...

. Sergeyev greatly altered, and in some cases changed entirely, Marius Petipa's choreography, particularly in the dances for the ''corps de ballet''. The choreography as revised by Sergeyev remains the traditional text for most of the world's productions of ''Raymonda'', among them

Rudolf Nureyev Rudolf Khametovich Nureyev ( ; Tatar/ Bashkir: Рудольф Хәмит улы Нуриев; rus, Рудо́льф Хаме́тович Нуре́ев, p=rʊˈdolʲf xɐˈmʲetəvʲɪtɕ nʊˈrʲejɪf; 17 March 19386 January 1993) was a Soviet ...

's version for the Paris Opéra Ballet and

Anna-Marie Holmes Anna-Marie Holmes (born April 17, 1942) is a Canadian-born ballet dancer, educator and choreographer. Holmes received an Emmy Award in 2000 for her staging of Le Corsaire for PBS. She was the founder and co-artistic director for the International Ac ...

's version for

American Ballet Theatre American Ballet Theatre (ABT) is a classical ballet company based in New York City. Founded in 1939 by Lucia Chase and Richard Pleasant, it is recognized as one of the world's leading classical ballet companies. Through 2019, it had an annual ei ...

, respectively. The choreography and ''mise-en-scène'' of the Imperial Ballet's original production of ''Raymonda'' was recorded in 1905 in the method of Stapanov choreographic notation during rehearsals for performances starring the renowned Russian ballerina

Olga Preobrajenskaya Olga Iosifovna Preobrajenska (russian: О́льга Ио́сифовна Преображе́нская; born Preobrazhenskaya; – 27 December 1962) was a Russian ballerina of the Russian Imperial Ballet and a ballet instructor. Biograp ...

in the title role. Today, this notation is part of

Harvard University Harvard University is a private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded in 1636 as Harvard College and named for its first benefactor, the Puritan clergyman John Harvard, it is the oldest institution of highe ...

Sergeyev Collection The Sergeyev Collection is a collection of choreographic notation, musical materials, designs for décor and costumes, theatre programs, photos and other items that document the repertory of the Imperial Ballet (precursor of the Kirov/Mariinsky B ...

. In 2011

Sergei Vikharev Sergei Vikharev (Russian: Сергей Геннадьевич Вихарев) (15 February 1962 – 2 June 2017) was a Russian ballet dancer, choreographer and historian. Biography Sergei Vikharev was born in Saint Petersburg and trained at the ...

utilized this notation to stage an almost totally complete reconstruction of the original 1898 production of ''Raymonda'' for the

Teatro alla Scala La Scala (, , ; abbreviation in Italian of the official name ) is a famous opera house in Milan, Italy. The theatre was inaugurated on 3 August 1778 and was originally known as the ' (New Royal-Ducal Theatre alla Scala). The premiere performan ...

History

Composition history

Pierina Legnani in Raymonda, act I, 1898

''Raymonda'' was the creation of

(the renowned '' Maître de Ballet'' to the St. Petersburg Imperial Theatres), the composer

, the director of the St. Petersburg Imperial Theatres

Ivan Vsevolozhsky Ivan Alexandrovich Vsevolozhsky (russian: Иван Александрович Всеволожский; 1835–1909) was the Director of the Imperial Theatres in Russia from 1881–98 and director of the Hermitage from 1899 to his death in 190 ...

, and the author and columnist Countess Lidiya Pashkova.

Performance history

St. Petersburg Premiere (World Premiere)

*''Date'': *''Place'':

Mariinsky Theatre The Mariinsky Theatre ( rus, Мариинский театр, Mariinskiy teatr, also transcribed as Maryinsky or Mariyinsky) is a historic theatre of opera and ballet in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Opened in 1860, it became the preeminent music th ...

St. Petersburg Saint Petersburg ( rus, links=no, Санкт-Петербург, a=Ru-Sankt Peterburg Leningrad Petrograd Piter.ogg, r=Sankt-Peterburg, p=ˈsankt pʲɪtʲɪrˈburk), formerly known as Petrograd (1914–1924) and later Leningrad (1924–1991), i ...

*''Ballet master'':

*''Conductor'':

Riccardo Drigo Riccardo Eugenio Drigo ( ru. Риккардо Эудженьо Дриго) (30 June 18461 October 1930) was an Italian composer of ballet music and Italian opera, a theatrical conductor, and a pianist. Drigo is most noted for his long career a ...

*''Scene Designers'': O. Allegri, K. Ivanov, Pyotr Lambin

Moscow Premiere

*''Date'': *''Place'':

Bolshoi Theatre The Bolshoi Theatre ( rus, Большо́й теа́тр, r=Bol'shoy teatr, literally "Big Theater", p=bɐlʲˈʂoj tʲɪˈatər) is a historic theatre in Moscow, Russia, originally designed by architect Joseph Bové, which holds ballet and ope ...

Moscow Moscow ( , US chiefly ; rus, links=no, Москва, r=Moskva, p=mɐskˈva, a=Москва.ogg) is the capital and largest city of Russia. The city stands on the Moskva River in Central Russia, with a population estimated at 13.0 million ...

*''Ballet master'': Ivan Khlyustin, Aleksandr Gorsky *''Conductor'': Andrey Arends *''Scene Designers'': Karl Valts (Waltz), Lütke-Meyer, P. Isakov

1908 production

*1908, Moscow, Bolshoy Theatre, ballet master Gorsky, conductor Arends, décor by

Konstantin Korovin Konstantin Alekseyevich Korovin (russian: Константи́н Алексе́евич Коро́вин, first name often spelled Constantin; 11 September 1939) was a leading Russian Impressionist painter. Biography Youth and education Konstan ...

Roles and original cast

Revivals

The full-length ''Raymonda'' has been revived many times throughout its performance history, the most noted productions being staged by

Mikhail Fokine Michael Fokine, ''Mikhail Mikhaylovich Fokin'', group=lower-alpha ( – 22 August 1942) was a groundbreaking Imperial Russian choreographer and dancer. Career Early years Fokine was born in Saint Petersburg to a prosperous merchant and a ...

for the

Ballets Russes The Ballets Russes () was an itinerant ballet company begun in Paris that performed between 1909 and 1929 throughout Europe and on tours to North and South America. The company never performed in Russia, where the Revolution disrupted society. ...

(1909);

Anna Pavlova Anna Pavlovna Pavlova ( , rus, Анна Павловна Павлова ), born Anna Matveyevna Pavlova ( rus, Анна Матвеевна Павлова; – 23 January 1931), was a Russian prima ballerina of the late 19th and the early 20t ...

for her touring company (1914);

George Balanchine George Balanchine (; Various sources: * * * * born Georgiy Melitonovich Balanchivadze; ka, გიორგი მელიტონის ძე ბალანჩივაძე; January 22, 1904 (O. S. January 9) – April 30, 1983) was ...

and

Alexandra Danilova Aleksandra Dionisyevna Danilova (''Russian'': Александра Дионисьевна Данилова; November 20, 1903 – July 13, 1997) was a Russian-born prima ballerina, who became an American citizen. In 1989, she was recognized f ...

for the

Ballet Russe de Monte-Carlo The company Ballets Russes de Monte-Carlo (with a plural name) was formed in 1932 after the death of Sergei Diaghilev and the demise of Ballets Russes. Its director was Wassily de Basil (usually referred to as Colonel W. de Basil), and its ...

(1946);

for the Kirov Ballet (1948);

for

(1975) and for the Paris Opera Ballet (1983);

Yuri Grigorovich Yury Nikolayevich Grigorovich (russian: Ю́рий Никола́евич Григоро́вич; born 2 January 1927 in Leningrad) is a Soviet and Russian dancer and choreographer Bolshoi Ballet The Bolshoi Ballet is an internationally renowned classical ballet company based at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, Russia. Founded in 1776, the Bolshoi is among the world's oldest ballet companies. In the early 20th century, it came to internat ...

(1984);

(in a 2-act reduction) for the Finnish National Ballet (2004), a version which was then staged for American Ballet Theatre (2004) and the Dutch National Ballet (2005). There have been many productions around the world of only extracts from the full-length ''Raymonda'', for the most part taken from the ''Grand Pas Classique hongrois'' from the third act, which is considered to be among Marius Petipa's supreme masterpieces. The most noted of these productions have been staged by George Balanchine for the

New York City Ballet New York City Ballet (NYCB) is a ballet company founded in 1948 by choreographer George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein. Balanchine and Jerome Robbins are considered the founding choreographers of the company. Léon Barzin was the company ...

(1955, 1961, 1973); Rudolf Nureyev for the Royal Ballet Touring Company (1964); and

Mikhail Baryshnikov Mikhail Nikolayevich Baryshnikov ( rus, Михаил Николаевич Барышников, p=mʲɪxɐˈil bɐ'rɨʂnʲɪkəf; lv, Mihails Barišņikovs; born January 28, 1948) is a Soviet Latvian-born Russian-American dancer, choreograp ...

for American Ballet Theatre (1980, 1987). In 2005 the

Australian Ballet Company The Australian Ballet is the largest classical ballet company in Australia. It was founded by J. C. Williamson Theatres Ltd and the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust in 1962, with the English-born dancer, teacher, repetiteur and direc ...

performed a modern version of ''Raymonda'' set in the 1950s, where Raymonda is a Hollywood star who has filmed her last film before marrying a European prince. It was choreographed by Stephen Baynes and bears no resemblance to the original ballet. In January 2022, the

English National Ballet English National Ballet is a classical ballet company founded by Dame Alicia Markova and Sir Anton Dolin as London Festival Ballet and based in London, England. Along with The Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Northern Ballet and Scot ...

presented a new version of this ballet choreographed by

Tamara Rojo Tamara Rojo CBE (born 17 May 1974) is a Spanish ballet dancer. She is the English National Ballet's artistic director (2012–2022) and a lead principal dancer with the company. She was previously a principal dancer with The Royal Ballet. She wi ...

at the London Coliseum. Rojo has relocated the story to the 19th-century Crimean War, drawing on the figure of Florence Nightingale to create a Raymonda who redefines the role of women in wartime and society. This Raymonda is not content to stay at home and sew, so she hot-foots it from England across the Black Sea to Sevastopol. There, she tends to injured soldiers, and is reacquainted with John de Bryan, a family friend, who has joined the Light Brigade. As he leaves for battle, he persuades Raymonda to accept his hand in marriage. His friend, Abdur Rahman, an ally from the Ottoman army, promises to take care of Raymonda until de Bryan returns.

Synopsis

Act I

''Scene 1: Raymonda's feast'' Ovcharenko Raymonda

At the castle of Doris, preparations are under way for the celebrations of the young countess Raymonda’s name day. Countess Sybille, her aunt, chides those who are present, including Raymonda's two friends Henrietta and Clémence, and the two troubadours Béranger and Bernard, for their idleness and their passion for dancing, telling them of the legendary White Lady, the protector of the castle, who warns the Doris household every time one of its members is in danger and casts punishment on those who do not fulfil their duties. The young people laugh at the countess’s superstitions and continue to celebrate. The seneschal of the Doris castle announces the arrival of a messenger, sent by Raymonda's fiancé, the noble crusader knight, Jean de Brienne, bearing a letter for his beloved. Raymonda rejoices when she reads that King

Andrew II of Hungary Andrew II ( hu, II. András, hr, Andrija II., sk, Ondrej II., uk, Андрій II; 117721 September 1235), also known as Andrew of Jerusalem, was King of Hungary and Croatia between 1205 and 1235. He ruled the Principality of Halych from 11 ...

, for whom Jean de Brienne has fought, is returning home in triumph and Jean de Brienne will arrive at the Doris castle the next day for their wedding. Suddenly, the celebrations are interrupted when the seneschal announces the arrival of an uninvited Saracen knight, Abderakhman and his entourage, who have stopped at the castle seeking shelter for the night. Captivated by Raymonda's beauty, Abderakhman falls in love with her at once and resolves to do anything to win her. The party lasts late into the night and, left alone and exhausted by the day, Raymonda lies down on a couch and falls asleep. As she sleeps, she begins to dream that the White Lady appears illuminated by the moonlight and, with an imperious gesture, orders Raymonda to follow her. ''Scene 2: The Visions'' The White Lady, without making a sound, advances along the terrace. Raymonda follows her in a state of unconsciousness. At a signal from the White Lady, the garden is wrapped in mist. A moment later, the mist vanishes and Jean de Brienne appears. Overjoyed, Raymonda runs into his arms and they are surrounded by glory, knights and celestial maidens. The garden is illuminated by a fantastic light and Raymonda expresses her joy to the White Lady, who interrupts her enthusiasm with a vision of what awaits her. Raymonda wants to return to her fiancé, but instead, she finds Abderakhman, who has taken Jean de Brienne's place. Abderakhman declares his passionate love for her, but Raymonda, though confused and upset, is quick to reject him. Imps and elves appear from everywhere surrounding Raymonda, who begs the White Lady to save her and Abderakhman tries to take Raymonda by force. Raymonda cries out and falls to the ground in a faint. The frightful vision disappears along with the White Lady.

Act II

''The Courtyard of the Castle'' The feast in honour of Jean de Brienne's arrival is taking place. Raymonda welcomes her guests, but cannot hide her uneasiness caused by Jean de Brienne’s delay. Abderakhman approaches her repeatedly and reveals his passion for her, but remembering the warnings of the White Lady, Raymonda rejects him with contempt. Abderakhman becomes even more insistent and realises the only way to possess Raymonda is by force. He calls his slaves to dance for her, after which he summons his cup bearers and they pour a potion into everyone’s cup, causing all the guests to become drunk. Seizing his chance, Abderakhman grabs Raymonda in an attempt to abduct her, but luckily Jean de Brienne arrives just in time, accompanied by King Andrew II and his knights. Jean de Brienne saves Raymonda from the hands of the Saracens and tries to seize Abderakhman. The King commands the two rivals to put an end to the matter in a duel, during which the White Lady appears on the castle tower. Abderakhman is dazed and dies, slain by Jean de Brienne's sword. Raymonda joyfully embraces her fiancé and the two reaffirm their love as the King joins their hands.

Act III

''The Wedding'' Raymonda and Jean de Brienne are finally married and King Andrew II of Hungary gives the newly wedded couple his blessing. In his honour, everyone at court is dressed in Hungarian fashion and perform a range of Hungarian-style dances, ending in an Apotheosis where everyone comes together in a knightly tournament.

Résumé of scenes and dances

Taken from the original theatre program of 1898 and the original published score. ''Act I (scene 1) — La fête de Raymonde'' *№ 01 ''Introduction'' *№ 02 ''Jeux et danses —'' ::—a ''Jeux'' ::—b. ''La traditrice'' *№ 03 ''Entrée de Raymonde'' *№ 04 ''Scène'' *interpolation: ''Entrée d'Abdéràme'' *№ 05 ''Entrée des vassaux et des esclaves'' *№ 06 ''Pas d'ensemble —'' ::—a. ''Valse provençale'' ::—b. ''Pizzicato–Variation de Raymonde'' (Mlle. Legnani) ::—c. ''Coda'' (reprise de la valse) *№ 07 ''Départ des invités'' *№ 08 ''La romanesque'' *№ 09 ''"Une fantaisie"–Variation de Raymonde'' (Mlle. Legnani) *№ 10 ''Clémence joue du luth'' *№ 11 ''L'apparition de la Dame Blanche'' *№ 12 ''Entr'acte symphonique'' ''Act I (scene 2) — Visions'' *№ 13 ''Grand scène du rêve'' *№ 14 ''Grand pas d'action —'' ::—a. ''Grand adage'' ::—b. ''Valse fantastique'' ::—c. ''Variation'' (Mlle. Rhykliakova) ::—d. ''Variation'' (Mlle. Geltzer) ::—e. ''Variation de Raymonde'' (cut by Petipa from the original production) ::—interpolation: ''Variation pour Mlle. Legnani'' (arranged by Glazunov from the ''Valse'' of his 1894 ''Scènes de Ballet'', op. 52) ::f. ''Grande coda'' *№ 16 ''Scène dramatique'' *№ 17 ''Ronde des follets et des farfadets'' ''Act I (scene 3) — L'aurore'' *№ 18 ''Scène finale'' ''Act II — Cour d'amour'' *№ 19 ''Ouverture'' *№ 20 ''Marche'' *№ 21 ''Entrée d'Abdéràme'' *№ 22 ''Pas d'action —'' ::—a. ''Grand adage'' ::—b. ''Variation d'Henriette'' (Mlle. Preobrajenskaya) ::—c. ''Variation de Clémence'' (Mlle. Kulichevskaya) ::—d. ''Variation de Béranger'' (Mons. Legat) ::—e. ''Variation de Raymonde'' (Mlle. Legnani) ::—f. ''Grande coda'' *№ 23 ''Scène'' *''Grand divertissement —'' ::—no.24 ''Pas des esclaves sarrasins'' ::—no.25 ''Pas des mariscos'' ::—no.26 ''Danse sarrasine'' ::—no.27 ''Pandéros'' ::—no.28 ''Les échansons'' (originally conceived by Petipa as a ''Danse orientale'', being a variation for Pierina Legnani) ::—no.29 ''Bacchanale'' *№ 30 ''L'arrivée de Jean de Brienne et du Roi André II'' *№ 31 ''Le combat et dénouement'' *№ 32 ''Finale—Hymne'' ''Act III — Le festival des noces'' *№ 33 ''Entr'acte'' *№ 34 ''Grand cortège hongrois'' *№ 35 ''Rapsodie'' *№ 36 ''Palotás'' *interpolation: ''Mazurka'' (Insertion from Glazunov's 1894 ''Scènes de Ballet'', op. 52) *№ 37 ''Pas classique hongrois —'' ::—a. ''Entrée'' ::—b. ''Grand adage'' ::—c. ''Variation'' (Mlle. Johanssen) ::—d. ''Variation'' (cut by Petipa from the original production) ::—e. ''Variation pour quatre danseurs (Messrs. Legat II, Kyaksht, Legat III & Gorsky)'' ::—f. ''Variation de Raymonde'' (Mlle. Legnani) ::—interpolation: ''Variation'' (interpolation by Konstantin Sergeyev for his performance as Jean de Brienne, 1948. Originally the ''Variation de Béranger'' from the ''Pas d'action'' of Act II) ::—g. ''Grande coda'' *№ 38 ''Galop général'' *№ 39 ''Apothéose – Tourney''

External links

Complete reconstruction of the original 1898 production
* Who’s who in classical performing arts: The Petipa Code or Searching for Raymond
Part 1Part 2Part 3Part 4Part 5

Nureyev's choreography of Raymonda
{{Authority control Ballets by Marius Petipa Ballets by Alexander Glazunov Ballets designed by Konstantin Korovin 1897 compositions 1898 ballet premieres Ballets premiered at the Mariinsky Theatre