Ernest Guiraud (Ballet Gretna-Green,)

Bolshoi's "Coppélia" w/ Alexandrova: Act III (3/3)

**see clip 1 for general historical notes **Notes on the pas de deux - The Bolshoi has used the costume design of the Tsar Maiden from the Imperial Ballet's production of "The Little Humpbacked Horse" as a costume for Swanilda, which helps to explain her magnificently regal look. It was not until "Coppélia" came to Russia (or perhaps a little earlier) that the piece titled "La Paix" began to serve as an Adage for what is now a Grand pas de deux classique. This may have everything to do with the fact that the role of Franz was originally a travesty role, ie performed by a woman in male garb. **Extra female solo ("Le Travail": Variation for Dionisiia Potapenko, 1904) - This variation is notated as "Le Travail" ("Work"), a female solo celebrating the harvest, & borrowing its title & theme (at least with regard to the costume) from the number in the divertissement. It is set to the music for the male variation from Delibes' ballet "Sylvia", which companies all over the world usually use as an inserted variation for Franz. This solo was arranged by Petipa especially for the ballerina Dionisiia Potapenko in 1904. The old Maestro Petipa mentions attending the performance of "Coppélia" in his diaries, calling her performance "awful", & going on to complain that a review in the local paper said she danced well, which he found "sickening"!! **"Dance of the Bridegroom", supplemental solo for Franz - As men began to take over the travesty role of Franz things began to change in ...


Download and print PDF scores of Ernest Guiraud (Ballet Gretna-Green,)