PETRUSHKA
by
ALAN STEIN
This series of 20 paintings illustrates many of the key scenes of Stravinsky’s Petrushka. The stage and costume designs were originally created by A. Benois. Presented by Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes for the Paris season of 1911, the ballet featured the legendary Nijinsky in the lead role as the puppet Petrushka. Stravinsky composed the music for the ballet, inspired by the Russian pagan rites of spring. Diaghilev, who oversaw the production, asked Benois to participate. The ballet is set during the St. Petersburg Shrovetide Fair during the time of Tsar Nicholas I.
These paintings, created by Alan Stein, are inspired by the Benois designs and the Russian theatre tradition of 1910 - 1930. These images were projected during a live performance of the piano four-hands version of the full ballet score, performed by Anagnoson & Kinton, on July 30th 2009 at the Festival of the Sound, Parry Sound, Ontario.
‘PETRUSHKA’
Burlesque Scenes in 4 Tableaux
A sunny winter day. In the midst of the Shrovetide festivities, in Admiralty Square St. Petersburg, an old Magician of oriental appearance exhibits before an astonished crowd the animated puppets Petrushka, the Ballerina, and the Moor, who perform a wild dance. When the Magician plays his flute his magic endows the puppets with life and with all the human feelings and passions. Petrushka has been given more than the others. Therefore he suffers more than the Ballerina or the Moor. He resents bitterly the cruelty of the Magician, his bondage, his exclusion from ordinary life, his ugliness, and his ridiculous appearance. He seeks comfort in the love of the Ballerina. But she shuns him, feeling terror at his bizarre behavior.
The Moor’s life is completely different. He is wicked, but has a splendid appearance and fascinates the Ballerina, who tries to seduce him using all her charms, and finally succeeds. Just at the moment of the love scene, Petrushka appears enraged with jealousy, but the Moor quickly chases him off with a large saber.
The Shrovetide fair is at its height. As evening falls a reveling merchant accompanied by gypsy dancers throws handfuls of money to the crowd. Coachmen dance with wet-nurses, a bear tamer appears with his beast, and finally a band of mummers sweeps everyone up in a diabolical melee. Snow begins to fall. All at once cries are heard form the Magicians little theatre. The rivalry between the Moor and Petrushka finally takes a tragic turn. The animated puppets dash from the theatre and the Moor knocks Petrushka down with a blow of his saber. The wretched Petrushka dies in the snow surrounded by the holiday crowd. The Magician hastens to reassure everyone and in his hands Petrushka becomes a puppet again. The crowd disperses. The Magician now alone, carries Petrushka back to the theatre, and as he does he catches sight to his great terror, of Petrushka’s ghost above the little theatre menacing him and making mocking gestures.