Operas, Plays, Ballets, Musicals, etc., similar in time period and elegance to Tchaikovsky's "The Sleeping Beauty"?

[sondheimgeek]

Posted: 1/12/09 at 7:44pm

Dear BWW Readers,

Currently I am looking for any plays, operas, musicals, or ballets similar in setting and elegance to Tchaikovsky's "The Sleeping Beauty", but I do not however know of many pieces that are similar.

First, to clear up any questions or accusations: no this is not for an assignment. After looking through my design portfolio I've noticed that my designs are more modern and abstract than they are classical. So what I've decided and have been inspired to do is to create something that is stunning and period. The original design that I have been inspired by was one for a production of Tchaikovsky's "The Sleeping Beauty", produced in 1946. The design is stunning and powerful. What I am intending to do is to emulate the same amount of power and stunning visuals through the use of a similar styled piece. No I am not emulating the design, just the amount of power it creates.

In order to do so I feel my mission could be best represented through a piece similar to Tchaikovsky's, and similar to the story of "The Sleeping Beauty". Specifically I would most like to design for a royal ballroom or courtroom in a grand castle, but I am open to any setting.

If anyone has any information I would more than appreciate it. I've been searching myself, but have not found quite what I want yet.

Thank you very much,
-SondheimGeek

[musikman]

Posted: 1/12/09 at 8:01pm

Hey there sondheimgeek. If you want to stick with Tchaikovsky, and don't want to use the Nutcracker, you can use Swan Lake, which I believe even played Broadway for a bit 10 or so years ago.

If you're looking for something a little bit more Impressionist, you can use Debussy's Prelude to an Afternoon of the Faun, which is also quite beautiful. It was not originally composed for a ballet, but eventually the music was used for many different ballets. It's only 10 minutes long though, and not something full length like Swan Lake, or Sleeping Beauty.

Another piece of music not originally composed for a ballet, but is often done as a ballet is Mendelssohn's overture to Midsummer Night's Dream.

And, just in case, I know you're looking for something beautiful like sleeping beauty, but if you have more abstract designs, it could work for these ballets...Petrushka, which is by Stravinsky, and Prokofiev's version of Romeo and Juliet. Both are definitely much more modern, and the music is not exactly beautiful in the same vein as Tchaikovsky, but, they're just suggestions.

Hope this helps.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 1/12/09 at 9:17pm

I love the idea of Swan Lake. It's a beautiful ballet with gorgeous costumes.

[monestere]

Posted: 1/12/09 at 10:55pm

"Raymonda" is a ballet in three acts, four scenes with an Apotheosis, with music by Alexander Glazunov, who was the composer most considered the successor to Tchaikovsky in Russia. "Raymonda" was conceived and choreographed by Marius Petipa, in exactly the style of his earlier collaboration with Tchaikovsky, "The Sleeping Beauty", thereby making it the closest thing to the style and design of Tchaikovsky's "Sleeping Beauty". There is an illustrated book on "Raymonda" with 70 photographs of the 1984 Bolshoi production (ISBN 0-86622-642-7) and the complete score for the ballet is available on a NAXOS label 2 CD set. There are several videos of the ballet also available in various formats including this most recent one on DVD: http://www.amazon.com/Glazunov-Raymonda-Bessmertnova-Vasyuchenko-Zhuraitis/dp/B0006OR0HG/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1231818835&sr=8-1

I hope this info helps.

[Gypsy9]

Posted: 1/13/09 at 5:46am

Another ballet with music by Alexander Glazunov is THE SEASONS which is shorter than RAYMONDA. The music is in the style of Tchaikovsky and is very beautiful. The four seasons of the year are represented in the ballet, which would lend itself to imaginative design work.

[sondheimgeek]

Posted: 1/13/09 at 4:53pm

Thank you very much!

I've been looking into it, and Raymonda is absolutely perfect! The score is incredibly beautiful Thank you very much Monestere!

And Gypsy9 and musikman, I also just researched the pieces you mentioned and they are exquisite! I am definitely going to create designs for The Seasons and Petrushka! They are wonderful!