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Events

Ballet Spartacus. Moscow State Ballet

Spartacus. Opening night

Ballet in two acts

The greatest premier of Moscow classical ballet theater “The Moscow State Ballet”. Latvian audience will be one of the first to have a possibility of enjoing the new performance of legendary Aram Khachaturyan's ballet. Just month after premiers in Moscow and St. Petersburg - on July 14th “Spartacus” will be performed on stage of “Dzinatari” concert hall.

“Moscow State Ballet” is loved by ballet fans in Russia and many other countries. The ballet company consists of the most talented graduates of the best ballet schools in Russia. The theater works with leading dancers from renowned theaters all over the world, including the Bolshoi Theater, the Mariinsky Theater, Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Moscow Music Theater.

“Spartacus” is a ballet of Aram Khachaturyan, in 9 scenes. The original scenario of the ballet was written by the dramatist Nikolai Volkov on the basis of various historical sources and works of art.

The Roman consul Crassus returns to Rome in a triumphal procession. Among his captives doomed to slavery are the Thracian king Spartacus and his wife Phrygia. As a proud and brave man, Spartacus rebells against the cruelty of the Romans, but the forces are uneven. Spartacus bids farewell to Phrygia, who becomes Crassus’s slave.There is an orgy going on at Crassus's palace. The consul's interest in the young woman attracts the attention of the concubine Aegina, and she draws Crassus into a frenzied dance. In the middle of the orgy, Crassus demands gladiators to be brought in. They must fight in helmets with closed visors without seeing the rival. Spartacus becomes the victor and then finds out that he unknowingly killed his friend. He becomes desperate. The tragedy arouses his anger and Spartacus decides to fight for freedom. He incites the gladiators to revolt. They swear an oath of loyalty to him and break out of Rome. The gladiators are joined by shepherds, and the rebellious populace proclaim Spartacus as their leader. His search for Phrygia leads Spartacus to Crassus’s villa. But the joy of their reunion is not long. A procession of patricians, led by Aegina heads to the villa. She has long dreamed of seducing and gaining power over Crassus. Crassus celebrates his victories at his villa, but the rebels surround the villa, and Crassus and Aegina are forced to flee. The rebellious gladiators take the consul as a prisoner, but Spartacus does not want reprisal. He defeats Crassus in a straight fight and ignominiously exiles him. The jubilant insurgents praise the victory of Spartacus. Crassus summons his legions. Aegina devises an evil plan to sow dissension in the camp of the rebels. Spartacus and Phrygia are happy to be together. But suddenly they get the news about Crassus's new campaign. Spartacus suggests engaging in the battle but many of his warriors abandon their leader. Spartacus apprehends his tragic death, but he is willing to give his life for freedom. With courtesans, Aegina seduces gladiators and lures them into a trap. Crassus craves revenge, victory does not suffice. He wants the death of Spartacus who humiliated him. The legions surround Spartacus's forces. Spartacus’s friends and Spartacus himself die in an unequal battle. Phrygia retrieves Spartacus’s body. She mourns him believing that the memory of his deed will live forever.

Cast:
Spartacus: Sergei Skvortsov (leading soloist, winner of international competitions)
Crassus: Alexey Konkin (leading soloist, winner of international competitions)
Phrygia: Liudmila Titova (winner of international and all-Russian competitions)
Aegina: Marina Romanova

Artistic director of the theatre: Liudmila Titova
Dramaturgy: Nikolai Volkov
Music: Aram Khachaturian
Production: Honored artist of Russia – Irina Lazareva
Choreography: People's artist of the USSR – Mikhail Lavrovsky
Honored artist of Russia– Irina Lazareva
Chief designer: Honored worker of Komi Republic – Yuri Samodurov