So it's not OK to be offensive to arab people, but it's OK to use this stereotypical "Russian bear" concept. Well, I guess "some animals" are, as usual, "more equal than others". As for making Raymonda's story less stilted, in 1930-s in Kirov theatre there was Vassiliy Vaynonen's version of this ballet. The story still took place during the crusades but the emphasis was totally different. Abdurrakhman was actually a noble, generous person in this version and Raymonda (not a feeble, passive dreamer at all!) chose him over her cruel and arrogant fiance. So English National Ballet won't be the first ones to reinvent "Raymonda". It's great to know, however, that amazing Glazunov's music will be performed in full. It's a true masterpiece indeed.
This is fascinating. Do you have a reference about this 1930s production? Like a book or an article? So cool that someone thought to flip the characters of Abderakhman and Jean de Brienne in a way.
@@frugalhousewife9878 not in English, I'm afraid. I know articles in Russian, but I'm not sure google can translate them well. And is it ok to post links here? This production was an interesting experiment indeed. Not a huge success, but not a failure either. It's such a pity they didn't revive it after the war. And didn't even film some scenes. Now we have nothing but photos left.
Seen it yesterday and its absolutely fantastic! They managed to achieve a perfect balance between the classic version and reinterpretation. Costumes - spot on! Dancers hypnotizing. I just want to see it again
Went to see it not expecting to enjoy it but came out of the theatre at the end, feeling elated! It's a wonderful production and I recommend any balletomane catching it if they can. 😊 👏🏼
They did! And are/will be doing the same with so many other ballets, like La Bayadere. They went to pick up a 19th century classical and made all moral accusations to it and remade it. Disrespectful towards a work of art.
In short, the Russian ballet has been turned into Russophobic .. and they don’t even hesitate to use the music of the Russian composer for this .. arrogance, as they say, is the second happiness.
Ms. Coxon, the ballet dramaturg, describes the Crimean War of 1854-56 as the war in which the Brits and the French came to the rescue of the Arab forces. Does she believe that Turks are Arabs😵💫? She proceeds to say that the Ottoman Empire was the "little man", the underdog in this war. Really? Did they stop teaching world history in UK schools? Quelle horreur!
How exciting,I’ve seen the Bolshois’ beautiful but blantantly racists production including kids in blackface which tainted the whole experience. I’m looking forward to seeing ENB production
