La Source
Encyclopedia
La source is a ballet in three act
s/four scenes with a score composed by Léo Delibes
and Ludwig Minkus
(Minkus: Act I & Act III-Scene 2/Delibes: Act II & Act III-Scene 1) which was premiered in 1866 with choreography by Arthur Saint-Léon
. In 1878 in Vienna it was called Naïla, die Quellenfee (Naïla, the Waternymph).
, who collaborated with Charles Nuitter in the libretto. The original designs were by Edouard Desplechin, Jean-Baptiste Lavastre, Auguste Rubé, Chaperon (sets) and Paul Lormier (costumes). The first production opened at the Théâtre Impérial de l´Opéra in Paris on 12 November 1866 with Guglielmina Salvioni (Naïla), Eugenie Fiocre (Nouredda) and Louis Meranté
(Djémil) in the principal roles. The production was not particularly successful, Salvioni being considered unsuited to the rôle of Naïla. It triumphed in the following year, however, with Adèle Grantzow as Naïla, and remained a mainstay of the repertory for the next few years. A successful revival in 1872 showcased Rita Sangalli in the principal rôle, and it was for this production that the new variations for Naïla were introduced, the music most likely by Delibes
himself (Nos. 12b and 23a in the list of musical numbers in the piano score, see below).
Delibes
was second chorus master at the Paris Opera
and had until then written operettas, songs and sacred music. A comparison of the music of the two composers greatly favoured Delibes
, whose contributions were considered "fresh and more rhythmic", with one critic suggesting that the whole ballet score should have been assigned to Delibes
. La source was his first big success, marking him as an important composer for the ballet.
La source was produced in St Petersburg in 1902 with Olga Preobrajenska
as Naïla, choreographed by Achille Coppini. In 1907 Nijinsky
made his solo debut in the last act of La source at the Mariinsky
. A video of the La source pas de deux taken from the 2008 graduation performance of the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet
at the Mariinsky Theatre
, St. Petersburg, may be found on YouTube, the choreography credited to Konstantin Sergeyev after Coppini and possibly created for Preobrajenskaya; the music is by Riccardo Drigo
, composer of most of the additional dances added to the company's repertory in the early 20th century.
Act 2. In the grand palace gardens, where the court of Khan is awaiting Nouredda's arrival, entertainment is offered to the guests: a solo for the favourites and a dance for Circassian slaves. A fanfare proclaims a visitor, incognito (Djémil), who proffers presents for the Khan and his bride. The visitor asks Nouredda to choose any of the gifts and she selects a jewelled flower. Djémil throws it on the ground and magically a spring gushes forth from this spot and Naïla emerges from the fountain. She dances, entrancing the Khan, who kneels in front of her and he implores her to become his wife. She consents, provided he dismisses Nouredda, who angrily goes off as the Khan leads Naïla inside the palace.
Act 3. Djémil can now pursue Nouredda but she still rejects him; so he appeals to Naïla, who says that if he gets Nouredda to love him she herself will die. Djémil agrees, and as he departs with Nouredda, Naïla disappears back into the earth and the spring dries up.
and Minkus was recorded by the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
conducted by Richard Bonynge
in 1987. The recording is generally considered complete. However there are significant cuts in all three acts when compared with the Heugel piano score published in Paris. In total the excisions represent around 400 bars of Minkus' contribution, and around 350 bars of that of Delibes
. The less important cuts consist of repeated material, or of music heard elsewhere in the score. Others remove a fair amount of otherwise unheard music.
These cuts are indicated in parentheses in the table of musical numbers below.
was asked in 1867 to add a divertissement
, known as either 'Le jardin animé' or 'Le pas des fleurs', to a revival of Adolphe Adam's
ballet 'Le Corsaire'
. Part of his contribution was the waltz frequently known as the 'Naïla' waltz. It appears that it was transferred to one of the productions of 'La Source' when it was performed under the name of 'Naïla'. There are references to a version of that name using only Delibes
original music, although exact details are elusive. One might assume that it was for this production that the 'Le Corsaire'
divertissement found its way into the score of 'Naïla'.
or another hand. The significant differences in orchestration suggest that the latter may be the case. Additional support for this theory might be adduced from the fact that the 2nd suite contains some music by Minkus, although the suites are attributed to Delibes
.
The contents of the suites, and their relation to the original score – not always obvious – are as follows:
Suite 1b) Variation (No. 18c, 'Variation', Delibes)
c) Scène d'amour (No. 18b, 'Andante', Delibes)
d) Danse circassienne (No. 18d, 'Danse circassienne', Delibes)
Suite 2b) Scherzo-Polka ( No. 20, 'Scherzo-Polka', Delibes)
c) Pas de la guzla (No. 6a, '[Pas de la guzla] Andantino', Minkus, followed by part of No. 16, 'Scène', Delibes)
d) Marche dansée et Final (No. 23b, 'Scène', Delibes, followed by No. 24, 'Marche dansée et Final', Delibes)
Suite 3
It will be seen that the Suites contain almost all of Delibes
' contribution to 'La Source', albeit arranged in an order designed for concert performance. It is difficult to ascertain the exact origins of these Suites. As well as significantly amplified orchestration in places, there are a few melodic alterations here and there; this suggests the work of another arranger, but it is impossible to be definite about this without access to the scores.
The complete Naxos
recording of Coppélia
by the Slovak Radio Orchestra conducted by Andrew Mogrelia includes additionally the 2nd and 3rd 'La Source' Suites, as well as the 'Naïla' valse. The latter, too, appears in a somewhat 'souped-up' orchestration, when compared with the version to be heard on Richard Bonynge
's Decca
recording of Le Corsaire
, which includes Delibes' Le jardin animé addition to the score.
The Suites as recorded by Naxos include several significant musical passages which are cut from the complete recording discussed above. Notably a very typical Delibes
waltz, originally part of No. 16, 'Scène', a brief romantic passage, originally part of No. 25, 'Scène', and the complete 'Nouvelle Variation de Naïla', No. 23a.
There appears to be no currently available recording of the 1st Suite; it used to feature fairly regularly in orchestral concerts and broadcasts, and was recorded by Decca
, with the Suisse Romande Orchestra under Victor Olof, on their 'medium-play' LW series in the 1950s (Cat. LW 5034). The attribution of the origins of its various movements above is therefore somewhat hypothetical. Three of the items would seem to be correctly assigned, although the exact origins of the 'Scène d'amour' is uncertain. However, No. 18b is the only part of Delibes contribution that is not otherwise used, so unless this piece also borrowed from Minkus, would seem to be the likely source.
The Naxos Coppélia
recording already referred to also features an additional Variation
in the 3rd Act 'Fête de la cloche' divertissement, placed immediately before the 'Danse de fête'. This is not printed in any of the readily accessible scores, and its origins are not specified. It is not No. 12b from 'La Source', which, together with No. 28, remains unrecorded as far as is ascertainable.
Suites
Excerpts from Delibes part of the score
Le jardin animé – Delibes contribution to Adolphe Adam's 'Le Corsaire', including the 'Naïla' waltz
Act (theater)
An act is a division or unit of a drama. The number of acts in a production can range from one to five or more, depending on how a writer structures the outline of the story...
s/four scenes with a score composed by Léo Delibes
Léo Delibes
Clément Philibert Léo Delibes was a French composer of ballets, operas, and other works for the stage...
and Ludwig Minkus
Ludwig Minkus
Ludwig Minkus a.k.a. Léon Fyodorovich Minkus was an Austrian composer of ballet music, a violin virtuoso and teacher.Minkus is most noted for the music he composed while serving as Ballet Composer of the St...
(Minkus: Act I & Act III-Scene 2/Delibes: Act II & Act III-Scene 1) which was premiered in 1866 with choreography by Arthur Saint-Léon
Arthur Saint-Leon
Arthur Saint-Léon was the Maître de Ballet of St. Petersburg Imperial Ballet from 1859 until 1869 and is famous for creating the choreography of the ballet Coppélia.-Biography:...
. In 1878 in Vienna it was called Naïla, die Quellenfee (Naïla, the Waternymph).
History
The choreography was by Arthur Saint-LéonArthur Saint-Leon
Arthur Saint-Léon was the Maître de Ballet of St. Petersburg Imperial Ballet from 1859 until 1869 and is famous for creating the choreography of the ballet Coppélia.-Biography:...
, who collaborated with Charles Nuitter in the libretto. The original designs were by Edouard Desplechin, Jean-Baptiste Lavastre, Auguste Rubé, Chaperon (sets) and Paul Lormier (costumes). The first production opened at the Théâtre Impérial de l´Opéra in Paris on 12 November 1866 with Guglielmina Salvioni (Naïla), Eugenie Fiocre (Nouredda) and Louis Meranté
Louis Mérante
Louis Alexandre Mérante was a dancer and choreographer, the Maître de Ballet of the Paris Opera Ballet at the Salle Le Peletier until its destruction by fire in 1873, and subsequently the first Ballet Master at the company's new Palais Garnier, which opened in 1875...
(Djémil) in the principal roles. The production was not particularly successful, Salvioni being considered unsuited to the rôle of Naïla. It triumphed in the following year, however, with Adèle Grantzow as Naïla, and remained a mainstay of the repertory for the next few years. A successful revival in 1872 showcased Rita Sangalli in the principal rôle, and it was for this production that the new variations for Naïla were introduced, the music most likely by Delibes
Delibes
Delibes may refer to:People with surname Delibes:* Léo Delibes , French composer* Miguel Delibes , Spanish novelist...
himself (Nos. 12b and 23a in the list of musical numbers in the piano score, see below).
Delibes
Delibes
Delibes may refer to:People with surname Delibes:* Léo Delibes , French composer* Miguel Delibes , Spanish novelist...
was second chorus master at the Paris Opera
Paris Opera
The Paris Opera is the primary opera company of Paris, France. It was founded in 1669 by Louis XIV as the Académie d'Opéra and shortly thereafter was placed under the leadership of Jean-Baptiste Lully and renamed the Académie Royale de Musique...
and had until then written operettas, songs and sacred music. A comparison of the music of the two composers greatly favoured Delibes
Delibes
Delibes may refer to:People with surname Delibes:* Léo Delibes , French composer* Miguel Delibes , Spanish novelist...
, whose contributions were considered "fresh and more rhythmic", with one critic suggesting that the whole ballet score should have been assigned to Delibes
Delibes
Delibes may refer to:People with surname Delibes:* Léo Delibes , French composer* Miguel Delibes , Spanish novelist...
. La source was his first big success, marking him as an important composer for the ballet.
La source was produced in St Petersburg in 1902 with Olga Preobrajenska
Olga Preobrajenska
Olga Iosifovna Preobrajenska was probably the best loved ballerina of the Russian Imperial Ballet....
as Naïla, choreographed by Achille Coppini. In 1907 Nijinsky
Nijinsky
Nijinsky can refer to:*Vaslav Nijinsky , ballet dancer and choreographer*Bronislava Nijinska , dancer, choreographer and teacher*Nijinksy , starring Alan Bates Harry Saltzman as Vaslav Nijinsky*Nijinsky II, race horse...
made his solo debut in the last act of La source at the Mariinsky
Mariinsky
Mariinsky refers to a number of institutions and places named after Maria Alexandrovna or Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna of Russia :...
. A video of the La source pas de deux taken from the 2008 graduation performance of the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet
Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet
The Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet is a school of classical ballet in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The school was previously known as the Imperial Ballet School, becoming the Leningrad State Choreographic Institute during the Soviet era...
at the Mariinsky Theatre
Mariinsky Theatre
The Mariinsky Theatre is a historic theatre of opera and ballet in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Opened in 1860, it became the preeminent music theatre of late 19th century Russia, where many of the stage masterpieces of Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, and Rimsky-Korsakov received their premieres. The...
, St. Petersburg, may be found on YouTube, the choreography credited to Konstantin Sergeyev after Coppini and possibly created for Preobrajenskaya; the music is by Riccardo Drigo
Riccardo Drigo
Riccardo Eugenio Drigo , a.k.a. Richard Drigo was an Italian composer of ballet music and Italian Opera, a theatrical conductor, and a pianist....
, composer of most of the additional dances added to the company's repertory in the early 20th century.
Synopsis
Act 1. On her way to marry the Khan of Ghendjib, the beautiful Nouredda and her accompanying party rest by a stream in a rocky desert. When Nouredda admires a flower which is growing in an inaccessible spot, Djémil, a young hunter, climbs up and picks it for her. Nouredda is thrilled and asks him to state whatever he wishes as his reward. He asks her to lift her veil so that he can see her face: in fury she orders that he be tied up and left to his fate. However, the nymph Naïla rescues him; she is in love with him and promises to help him win the hand of Nouredda.Act 2. In the grand palace gardens, where the court of Khan is awaiting Nouredda's arrival, entertainment is offered to the guests: a solo for the favourites and a dance for Circassian slaves. A fanfare proclaims a visitor, incognito (Djémil), who proffers presents for the Khan and his bride. The visitor asks Nouredda to choose any of the gifts and she selects a jewelled flower. Djémil throws it on the ground and magically a spring gushes forth from this spot and Naïla emerges from the fountain. She dances, entrancing the Khan, who kneels in front of her and he implores her to become his wife. She consents, provided he dismisses Nouredda, who angrily goes off as the Khan leads Naïla inside the palace.
Act 3. Djémil can now pursue Nouredda but she still rejects him; so he appeals to Naïla, who says that if he gets Nouredda to love him she herself will die. Djémil agrees, and as he departs with Nouredda, Naïla disappears back into the earth and the spring dries up.
Musical numbers, following the piano score of 1880
Most of the full score by DelibesDelibes
Delibes may refer to:People with surname Delibes:* Léo Delibes , French composer* Miguel Delibes , Spanish novelist...
and Minkus was recorded by the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
Royal Opera House
The Royal Opera House is an opera house and major performing arts venue in Covent Garden, central London. The large building is often referred to as simply "Covent Garden", after a previous use of the site of the opera house's original construction in 1732. It is the home of The Royal Opera, The...
conducted by Richard Bonynge
Richard Bonynge
Richard Alan Bonynge, AO, CBE is an Australian conductor and pianist.Bonynge was born in Sydney and educated at Sydney Boys High School before studying piano at the Royal College of Music in London. He gave up his music scholarship, continuing his private piano studies, and became a coach for...
in 1987. The recording is generally considered complete. However there are significant cuts in all three acts when compared with the Heugel piano score published in Paris. In total the excisions represent around 400 bars of Minkus' contribution, and around 350 bars of that of Delibes
Delibes
Delibes may refer to:People with surname Delibes:* Léo Delibes , French composer* Miguel Delibes , Spanish novelist...
. The less important cuts consist of repeated material, or of music heard elsewhere in the score. Others remove a fair amount of otherwise unheard music.
These cuts are indicated in parentheses in the table of musical numbers below.
- Act 1 (Léon Minkus)
- Prélude
- 1. Introduction fantastique (
- 2. L'Ephémère – Scène dansée
- 3. Scène
- 4. Marche de la caravane
- 5. Berceuse
- 6. Pas de la guzla
8 bars cut)- a) Andantino (
- b) Vivace (
32 bars cut)- 7. Scène (
8 bar repeat cut)- 8. Scène dansée (Apparition de Naïla)
- 9. Valse (
16 bars cut)- 10. Scène et danse
- 11. Danse des sylphes et des lutins
- 12. Variation
29 bars – entire number cut)- a) Variation de Naïla (Mlle. Salvioni) (1860)
- b) Nouvelle variation de Naíla (Mlle. Sangalli) (1872, replacing No. 12a) (
- 13. Scène et danse (Introductory 6 bars cut. Unmarked 8-bar repeat added)
- 14. Galop
- 15. Scène finale
- Act 2 (Léo DelibesDelibesDelibes may refer to:People with surname Delibes:* Léo Delibes , French composer* Miguel Delibes , Spanish novelist...
)- Introduction
- 16. Scène (18 bars cut near the start, later a cut of 173 bars)
- 17. Scène: Arrivée de Nouredda (32-bar repeat cut)
- 18. Divertissement
- a) Pas des voiles
- b) Andante
- c) Variation
- d) Danse circassienne
- 19. Scène
- 20. Pas de Naïla. Scherzo-Polka
- 21. Scène et pas d'action
- 22. Mazurka (16-bar repeat cut)
- 23 Scène
- a) Nouvelle variation de Naïla (Mlle Sangalli) (1872, replacing No. 20) (29 bars – entire number cut)
- b) Scène
- 24. Marche dansée et final (Apparent 6-bar cut – but internal evidence suggest this may indicate an error in the piano score)
- Act 3, Scene 1 (Léo DelibesDelibesDelibes may refer to:People with surname Delibes:* Léo Delibes , French composer* Miguel Delibes , Spanish novelist...
)- Introduction
- 25. Scène (
- 26. Romance
- 27. Final
- Act 3, Scene 2 (Léon Minkus)
- 28 Scène (
- 29 Scène et danse
The 'Naïla' valse
DelibesDelibes
Delibes may refer to:People with surname Delibes:* Léo Delibes , French composer* Miguel Delibes , Spanish novelist...
was asked in 1867 to add a divertissement
Divertissement
Divertissement is used, in a similar sense to the Italian 'divertimento', for a light piece of music for a small group of players, however the French term has additional meanings....
, known as either 'Le jardin animé' or 'Le pas des fleurs', to a revival of Adolphe Adam's
Adolphe Adam
Adolphe Charles Adam was a French composer and music critic. A prolific composer of operas and ballets, he is best known today for his ballets Giselle and Le corsaire , his operas Le postillon de Lonjumeau , Le toréador and Si j'étais roi , and his Christmas...
ballet 'Le Corsaire'
Le Corsaire
Le Corsaire is a ballet typically presented in three acts, with a libretto originally created by Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges loosely based on the poem The Corsair by Lord Byron. Originally choreographed by Joseph Mazilier to the music of Adolphe Adam, it was first presented by the ballet of...
. Part of his contribution was the waltz frequently known as the 'Naïla' waltz. It appears that it was transferred to one of the productions of 'La Source' when it was performed under the name of 'Naïla'. There are references to a version of that name using only Delibes
Delibes
Delibes may refer to:People with surname Delibes:* Léo Delibes , French composer* Miguel Delibes , Spanish novelist...
original music, although exact details are elusive. One might assume that it was for this production that the 'Le Corsaire'
Le Corsaire
Le Corsaire is a ballet typically presented in three acts, with a libretto originally created by Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges loosely based on the poem The Corsair by Lord Byron. Originally choreographed by Joseph Mazilier to the music of Adolphe Adam, it was first presented by the ballet of...
divertissement found its way into the score of 'Naïla'.
The 'La Source' suites
Three orchestral suites consisting of excerpts from the ballet were arranged either by DelibesDelibes
Delibes may refer to:People with surname Delibes:* Léo Delibes , French composer* Miguel Delibes , Spanish novelist...
or another hand. The significant differences in orchestration suggest that the latter may be the case. Additional support for this theory might be adduced from the fact that the 2nd suite contains some music by Minkus, although the suites are attributed to Delibes
Delibes
Delibes may refer to:People with surname Delibes:* Léo Delibes , French composer* Miguel Delibes , Spanish novelist...
.
The contents of the suites, and their relation to the original score – not always obvious – are as follows:
Suite 1
- a) Pas des écharpes (
Suite 2
- a) Scène dansée (
Suite 3
- a) Incantation (Sections 2 and 3 of No. 25, 'Scène', Delibes, arranged in reverse order)
- b) Romance (Section 1 of No. 25, 'Scène', Delibes, follwed by No. 26, 'Romance', Delibes)
- c) Introduction et Mazurka (No. 23a, 'Nouvelle Variation de Naïla', Delibes, follwed by No. 22, 'Mazurka', Delibes. The Mazurka is transposed up a semitone to A major to follow the Variation's E major in a musically logical fashion.)
- d) Finale (Opening measures of No. 16, 'Scène', followed by No. 21, 'Grand Pas d'action', the concluding measures of which are extended into a modulation leading into a slightly abbreviated arrangement of No. 27, 'Final'. All by Delibes)
It will be seen that the Suites contain almost all of Delibes
Delibes
Delibes may refer to:People with surname Delibes:* Léo Delibes , French composer* Miguel Delibes , Spanish novelist...
' contribution to 'La Source', albeit arranged in an order designed for concert performance. It is difficult to ascertain the exact origins of these Suites. As well as significantly amplified orchestration in places, there are a few melodic alterations here and there; this suggests the work of another arranger, but it is impossible to be definite about this without access to the scores.
The complete Naxos
Naxos Records
Naxos Records is a record label specializing in classical music. Through a number of imprints, Naxos also releases genres including Chinese music, jazz, world music, and early rock & roll. The company was founded in 1987 by Klaus Heymann, a German-born resident of Hong Kong.Naxos is the largest...
recording of Coppélia
Coppélia
Coppélia is a sentimental comic ballet with original choreography by Arthur Saint-Léon to a ballet libretto by Saint-Léon and Charles Nuitter and music by Léo Delibes. It was based upon two macabre stories by E. T. A. Hoffmann, Der Sandmann , and Die Puppe...
by the Slovak Radio Orchestra conducted by Andrew Mogrelia includes additionally the 2nd and 3rd 'La Source' Suites, as well as the 'Naïla' valse. The latter, too, appears in a somewhat 'souped-up' orchestration, when compared with the version to be heard on Richard Bonynge
Richard Bonynge
Richard Alan Bonynge, AO, CBE is an Australian conductor and pianist.Bonynge was born in Sydney and educated at Sydney Boys High School before studying piano at the Royal College of Music in London. He gave up his music scholarship, continuing his private piano studies, and became a coach for...
's Decca
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
recording of Le Corsaire
Le Corsaire
Le Corsaire is a ballet typically presented in three acts, with a libretto originally created by Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges loosely based on the poem The Corsair by Lord Byron. Originally choreographed by Joseph Mazilier to the music of Adolphe Adam, it was first presented by the ballet of...
, which includes Delibes' Le jardin animé addition to the score.
The Suites as recorded by Naxos include several significant musical passages which are cut from the complete recording discussed above. Notably a very typical Delibes
Delibes
Delibes may refer to:People with surname Delibes:* Léo Delibes , French composer* Miguel Delibes , Spanish novelist...
waltz, originally part of No. 16, 'Scène', a brief romantic passage, originally part of No. 25, 'Scène', and the complete 'Nouvelle Variation de Naïla', No. 23a.
There appears to be no currently available recording of the 1st Suite; it used to feature fairly regularly in orchestral concerts and broadcasts, and was recorded by Decca
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
, with the Suisse Romande Orchestra under Victor Olof, on their 'medium-play' LW series in the 1950s (Cat. LW 5034). The attribution of the origins of its various movements above is therefore somewhat hypothetical. Three of the items would seem to be correctly assigned, although the exact origins of the 'Scène d'amour' is uncertain. However, No. 18b is the only part of Delibes contribution that is not otherwise used, so unless this piece also borrowed from Minkus, would seem to be the likely source.
The Naxos Coppélia
Coppélia
Coppélia is a sentimental comic ballet with original choreography by Arthur Saint-Léon to a ballet libretto by Saint-Léon and Charles Nuitter and music by Léo Delibes. It was based upon two macabre stories by E. T. A. Hoffmann, Der Sandmann , and Die Puppe...
recording already referred to also features an additional Variation
Variation
- Physics :* Magnetic variation, difference between magnetic north and true north, measured as an angle* Variation , any perturbation of the mean motion or orbit of a planet or satellite, particularly of the moon- Mathematics :* Bounded variation...
in the 3rd Act 'Fête de la cloche' divertissement, placed immediately before the 'Danse de fête'. This is not printed in any of the readily accessible scores, and its origins are not specified. It is not No. 12b from 'La Source', which, together with No. 28, remains unrecorded as far as is ascertainable.
Other productions
- Teatro alla Scala with choreography by Cesare Marzagora after Saint-LéonArthur Saint-LeonArthur Saint-Léon was the Maître de Ballet of St. Petersburg Imperial Ballet from 1859 until 1869 and is famous for creating the choreography of the ballet Coppélia.-Biography:...
, Milan, 1875/1876 - New York City BalletNew York City BalletNew York City Ballet is a ballet company founded in 1948 by choreographer George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein. Leon Barzin was the company's first music director. Balanchine and Jerome Robbins are considered the founding choreographers of the company...
, choreography by George BalanchineGeorge BalanchineGeorge Balanchine , born Giorgi Balanchivadze in Saint Petersburg, Russia, to a Georgian father and a Russian mother, was one of the 20th century's most famous choreographers, a developer of ballet in the United States, co-founder and balletmaster of New York City Ballet...
, premiere 23 November, New York State Theater, Lincoln CenterLincoln Center for the Performing ArtsLincoln Center for the Performing Arts is a complex of buildings in the Lincoln Square neighborhood of New York City's Upper West Side. Reynold Levy has been its president since 2002.-History and facilities:...
, 1968
Discography
'Complete' score (with cuts)- Richard BonyngeRichard BonyngeRichard Alan Bonynge, AO, CBE is an Australian conductor and pianist.Bonynge was born in Sydney and educated at Sydney Boys High School before studying piano at the Royal College of Music in London. He gave up his music scholarship, continuing his private piano studies, and became a coach for...
and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House (1990) (Decca)
Suites
- Andrew Mogrelia and the Slovak Radio Orchestra (1995) (Naxos) – Suites 2 and 3 only
- Victor Olof and the Suisse Romande Orchestra (1953)(Decca) – Suite 1 only (No longer available)
Excerpts from Delibes part of the score
- Charles MackerrasCharles MackerrasSir Alan Charles Maclaurin Mackerras, AC, CH, CBE was an Australian conductor. He was an authority on the operas of Janáček and Mozart, and the comic operas of Gilbert and Sullivan...
and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House (1956) (EMI) - Peter MaagPeter Maag-Life:He was born on 10 May 1919 in St. Gallen, Switzerland and died on 16 April 2001 in Verona, Italy.His father, Otto, was a Lutheran minister and his mother, Nelly, a violinist who performed in the Capet Quartet as second violinist. His great uncles were conductors Emil and Fritz Steinbach. ...
and the Paris Conservatoire OrchestraOrchestre de la Société des Concerts du ConservatoireThe Orchestre de la Société des concerts du Conservatoire was a symphony orchestra established in Paris in 1828. It gave its first concert on 9 March 1828 with music by Beethoven, Rossini, Meifreid, Rode and Cherubini....
(1958) (Decca)
Le jardin animé – Delibes contribution to Adolphe Adam's 'Le Corsaire', including the 'Naïla' waltz
- Richard BonyngeRichard BonyngeRichard Alan Bonynge, AO, CBE is an Australian conductor and pianist.Bonynge was born in Sydney and educated at Sydney Boys High School before studying piano at the Royal College of Music in London. He gave up his music scholarship, continuing his private piano studies, and became a coach for...
and the English Chamber OrchestraEnglish Chamber OrchestraThe English Chamber Orchestra is a British chamber orchestra based in London. The full orchestra regularly plays concerts at Cadogan Hall, and the ECO Ensemble performs at Wigmore Hall...
(1992) (Decca)