Esmeralda (Ballet by Cesare Pugni) - Bolshoi Theatre

Ballet in three acts.
Libretto by Jules Perrot after Victor Hugo
Choreography by Marius Petipa
Staging and new choreographic version: Yuri Burlaka,
Vasily Medvedev
Conductor: Pavel Klinichev
Designer: Alyona Pikalova
Costume Designer: Yelena Zaytseva
Lighting Designer: Damir Ismagilov
Premiered on December 25, 2009.
Presented with two intervals.

SYNOPSIS

The action takes place in Paris, at the end of the 15th century

Act I
Scene 1
The Cour des Miracles
A Small Square
Sunset. Tradesmen, members of the bourgeoisie and the common folk make haste to leave the market square which, as darkness falls, turns into the Cour des Miracles - a kingdom of tramps, gypsies and beggars. Gringoire, who has ended up here by force of circumstance, falls into the hands of thieves. Not finding any money on the impoverished poet, the tramps sentence him to death. However, according to their law, a victim's life will be saved if a woman agrees to marry him. No one though wants to, and Gringoire is to be hanged. At this moment, the charming Esmeralda arrives. Learning what is up, she immediately consents to save the unhappy man, by becoming his wife. Gringoire is in his seventh heaven. They are wedded for four years, the number of shards from the jug Gringoire has broken in accordance with the custom of the tramps, and general merrymaking starts.
The cunning archdeacon Claude Frollo, who burns with desire for Esmeralda, incites Clopin to abduct her and orders the hunchback Quasimodo to take part in the operation. The villains are stopped by a patrol. Captain Phoebus orders the arrest of Quasimodo and that assistance be given to the beautiful Gypsy-girl. Esmeralda is charmed by his nobility and good-looks and profoundly grateful to him. Phoebus gives her his scarf as a memento. He frees Quasimodo at the request of the kind-hearted girl and tries to flirt with her, but Esmeralda slips away.

Scene 2
The Newlyweds
Esmeralda's chamber
A pensive Esmeralda admires the scarf Phoebus has given her. Picking out the letters of the alphabet which form his name, she dances before this word which is dear to her heart. Enter Gringoire; he tries to embrace her, asserting his rights as husband, but Esmeralda tells him that she only wished to save him from death, and that she will never be his wife. The unhappy 'husband' accepts his fate and agrees to partner her in the dances which she starts teaching him. Esmeralda shows Gringoire to his chamber and remains alone.
She dreams of Phoeoebus. Upstage a door slowly opens, and the sinister figure of Claude Frollo appears. A horrified Esmeralda orders Frollo to leave but, throwing himself on his knees, he begs her to accept his passionate love. Esmeralda scornfully rejects him and, pointing to the name of Phoeoebus, says: "Here is the man whom I love!". Undeterred, Frollo continues to make advances and Esmeralda pulls out a dagger. Quasimodo stays the Gypsy-girl's hand but, mindful of the kindness she has shown him, he helps her to escape. "Woe to you and a curse on him!", Frollo threatens and he picks up the dagger dropped by Esmeralda.

Act II
Scene 3
Fleur-de-Lys
A splendid mansion, brightly illuminated for the celebration
Preparations are underway for the betrothal of Phoeoebus and Fleur-de-Lys. Fleur-de-Lys's companions gather flowers into garlands and do their embroidery. Enter Phoebus. He is oblivious to everything, the memory of his meeting with Esmeralda gives him no peace. Noticing he is not wearing the scarf she gave him, Fleur-de-Lys is about to reproach Phoebus when he presents her with a ring, and her suspicions vanish. She shows her ring to her mother. Aloise de Gondelaurier announces that she too has prepared a present to mark the happy occasion and gives a sign that the allegorical ballet, Diane and Acteon, should start.
Enter Esmeralda, accompanied by Gringoire and her friends. She tells Fleur-de-Lys's fortune, and then dances for the guests who admire her gracefulness. At the height of the festivities, when all the Gypsy-girls start dancing, Esmeralda catches sight of Phoebus and realizes he must be Fleur-de-Lys' betrothed. Devasted, she decides to leave and puts on the scarf. Seeing her present on the Gypsy-girl, Fleur-de-Lys is unable to restrain her tears and flings Phoebus's ring on the ground. General confusion. Esmeralda leaves and Phoebus hurries after her - the person to whom his heart belongs.

Act III
Scene 4
Love and Jealousy
A chamber in an inn
Clopin leads in Claude Frollo and shows him a hiding place, from which he will be able to observe the meeting between Esmeralda and Phoebus. Unable to stand the lovers' sweet nothings and kisses, Frollo throws himself at his rival, Esmeralda's dagger in his hand. Phoebus falls lifeless to the ground.
A crowd gathers and Frollo, not showing any agitation, mixes with it. He informs the judge that the dagger belongs to Esmeralda and the judge accuses her of murder. Esmeralda protests, swearing her innocence. "I will save you, if you will be mine", Claude Frollo whispers to the desperate girl, but the latter indignantly pushes him aside. The judge breaks his staff over Esmeralda's head and throws a veil over her, which signifies the death sentence. Frollo is triumphant.

Scene 5
The Festival of Fools
Square. To the right is the prison. Upstage is the Cathedral of Notre-Dame
A procession appears headed by Claude Frollo - they are taking Esmeralda to prison. A curious crowd follows them, they are all eager to know what will happen next. A panic-stricken Gringoire runs in. Falling over by the prison window, he sees with horror that the unhappy girl is being tortured.
The square is invaded by a crowd of beggars and tramps who are celebrating the Festival of Fools. Having been elected their king for one day Quasimodo, dressed in royal robes, holds court on a stretcher. An indignant Frollo, tears off Quasimodo's blasphemous attire.
Esmeralda is brought out of prison and led to execution. She bids farewell to everyone and asks Gringoire to bury her with Phoebus' scarf. Claude Frollo again offers to save her in exchange for her love. "May God be your judge", is Esmeralda's answer to him. She is ready to die and prays zealously. At this moment, Phoebus appears, who has recovered from his wounds. He reveals the real culprit to an astonished crowd - it was Claude Frollo who had tried to kill him, and the condemned Esmeralda is innocent. Esmeralda throws herself into the arms of her lover. The enraged archdeacon whips out the dagger - but Quasimodo, forcing it from his hand, makes short work of him by throwing him off the bridge. Esmeralda and Phoebus agree to be true to each other for evermore.

 

Esmeralda (Ballet by Cesare Pugni) - Bolshoi Theatre

Ballet in three acts.
Libretto by Jules Perrot after Victor Hugo
Choreography by Marius Petipa
Staging and new choreographic version: Yuri Burlaka,
Vasily Medvedev
Conductor: Pavel Klinichev
Designer: Alyona Pikalova
Costume Designer: Yelena Zaytseva
Lighting Designer: Damir Ismagilov
Premiered on December 25, 2009.
Presented with two intervals.

SYNOPSIS

The action takes place in Paris, at the end of the 15th century

Act I
Scene 1
The Cour des Miracles
A Small Square
Sunset. Tradesmen, members of the bourgeoisie and the common folk make haste to leave the market square which, as darkness falls, turns into the Cour des Miracles - a kingdom of tramps, gypsies and beggars. Gringoire, who has ended up here by force of circumstance, falls into the hands of thieves. Not finding any money on the impoverished poet, the tramps sentence him to death. However, according to their law, a victim's life will be saved if a woman agrees to marry him. No one though wants to, and Gringoire is to be hanged. At this moment, the charming Esmeralda arrives. Learning what is up, she immediately consents to save the unhappy man, by becoming his wife. Gringoire is in his seventh heaven. They are wedded for four years, the number of shards from the jug Gringoire has broken in accordance with the custom of the tramps, and general merrymaking starts.
The cunning archdeacon Claude Frollo, who burns with desire for Esmeralda, incites Clopin to abduct her and orders the hunchback Quasimodo to take part in the operation. The villains are stopped by a patrol. Captain Phoebus orders the arrest of Quasimodo and that assistance be given to the beautiful Gypsy-girl. Esmeralda is charmed by his nobility and good-looks and profoundly grateful to him. Phoebus gives her his scarf as a memento. He frees Quasimodo at the request of the kind-hearted girl and tries to flirt with her, but Esmeralda slips away.

Scene 2
The Newlyweds
Esmeralda's chamber
A pensive Esmeralda admires the scarf Phoebus has given her. Picking out the letters of the alphabet which form his name, she dances before this word which is dear to her heart. Enter Gringoire; he tries to embrace her, asserting his rights as husband, but Esmeralda tells him that she only wished to save him from death, and that she will never be his wife. The unhappy 'husband' accepts his fate and agrees to partner her in the dances which she starts teaching him. Esmeralda shows Gringoire to his chamber and remains alone.
She dreams of Phoeoebus. Upstage a door slowly opens, and the sinister figure of Claude Frollo appears. A horrified Esmeralda orders Frollo to leave but, throwing himself on his knees, he begs her to accept his passionate love. Esmeralda scornfully rejects him and, pointing to the name of Phoeoebus, says: "Here is the man whom I love!". Undeterred, Frollo continues to make advances and Esmeralda pulls out a dagger. Quasimodo stays the Gypsy-girl's hand but, mindful of the kindness she has shown him, he helps her to escape. "Woe to you and a curse on him!", Frollo threatens and he picks up the dagger dropped by Esmeralda.

Act II
Scene 3
Fleur-de-Lys
A splendid mansion, brightly illuminated for the celebration
Preparations are underway for the betrothal of Phoeoebus and Fleur-de-Lys. Fleur-de-Lys's companions gather flowers into garlands and do their embroidery. Enter Phoebus. He is oblivious to everything, the memory of his meeting with Esmeralda gives him no peace. Noticing he is not wearing the scarf she gave him, Fleur-de-Lys is about to reproach Phoebus when he presents her with a ring, and her suspicions vanish. She shows her ring to her mother. Aloise de Gondelaurier announces that she too has prepared a present to mark the happy occasion and gives a sign that the allegorical ballet, Diane and Acteon, should start.
Enter Esmeralda, accompanied by Gringoire and her friends. She tells Fleur-de-Lys's fortune, and then dances for the guests who admire her gracefulness. At the height of the festivities, when all the Gypsy-girls start dancing, Esmeralda catches sight of Phoebus and realizes he must be Fleur-de-Lys' betrothed. Devasted, she decides to leave and puts on the scarf. Seeing her present on the Gypsy-girl, Fleur-de-Lys is unable to restrain her tears and flings Phoebus's ring on the ground. General confusion. Esmeralda leaves and Phoebus hurries after her - the person to whom his heart belongs.

Act III
Scene 4
Love and Jealousy
A chamber in an inn
Clopin leads in Claude Frollo and shows him a hiding place, from which he will be able to observe the meeting between Esmeralda and Phoebus. Unable to stand the lovers' sweet nothings and kisses, Frollo throws himself at his rival, Esmeralda's dagger in his hand. Phoebus falls lifeless to the ground.
A crowd gathers and Frollo, not showing any agitation, mixes with it. He informs the judge that the dagger belongs to Esmeralda and the judge accuses her of murder. Esmeralda protests, swearing her innocence. "I will save you, if you will be mine", Claude Frollo whispers to the desperate girl, but the latter indignantly pushes him aside. The judge breaks his staff over Esmeralda's head and throws a veil over her, which signifies the death sentence. Frollo is triumphant.

Scene 5
The Festival of Fools
Square. To the right is the prison. Upstage is the Cathedral of Notre-Dame
A procession appears headed by Claude Frollo - they are taking Esmeralda to prison. A curious crowd follows them, they are all eager to know what will happen next. A panic-stricken Gringoire runs in. Falling over by the prison window, he sees with horror that the unhappy girl is being tortured.
The square is invaded by a crowd of beggars and tramps who are celebrating the Festival of Fools. Having been elected their king for one day Quasimodo, dressed in royal robes, holds court on a stretcher. An indignant Frollo, tears off Quasimodo's blasphemous attire.
Esmeralda is brought out of prison and led to execution. She bids farewell to everyone and asks Gringoire to bury her with Phoebus' scarf. Claude Frollo again offers to save her in exchange for her love. "May God be your judge", is Esmeralda's answer to him. She is ready to die and prays zealously. At this moment, Phoebus appears, who has recovered from his wounds. He reveals the real culprit to an astonished crowd - it was Claude Frollo who had tried to kill him, and the condemned Esmeralda is innocent. Esmeralda throws herself into the arms of her lover. The enraged archdeacon whips out the dagger - but Quasimodo, forcing it from his hand, makes short work of him by throwing him off the bridge. Esmeralda and Phoebus agree to be true to each other for evermore.

 

Swan Lake (Ballet by Pyotr Tchaikovsky) - Bolshoi Theatre

Ballet in two acts
Libretto by Yuri Grigorovich after scenario by Vladimir Begichev and Vasily Geltser
Choreographer: Yuri Grigorovich (2001 version)
Scenes in choreography by Marius Petipa, Lev Ivanov, Alexander Gorsky used
Designer: Simon Virsaladze
Music Director: Pavel Sorokin
Lighting Designer: Mikhail Sokolov

SYNOPSIS

Act l
Scene 1
In an old German castle, the birthday of Prince Siegfried is being celebrated; today he comes of age. He is congratulated by his mother, the Princess Mother, friends and courtiers. In a majestic ceremony, Siegfried is made a knight. From this day on a sense of duty, valor will be the guiding principles in his life.
The last toasts are pronounced in his honor, young girls, his contemporaries, try to attract his attention, but Siegfried is overcome by emotions of a different order. He dreams of a pure, ideal love. The festivities draw to an end, the guests depart, leaving the prince alone with his thoughts in the gathering dusk. Night falls. Siegfried is conscious of the presence of a shadow at his side, it is as if some mysterious force is beckoning to him. It is the Evil Genius, or Fate itself, who has come to reveal some perturbing secrets to the Prince. Submitting to the powerful pull of his invisible companion's presence and full of anxious foreboding, Siegfried succumbs to the ideal world of his dreams...

Scene 2
Lured by the Evil Genius, Siegfried finds himself on the banks of a mysterious lake. In the shimmering patches of moonlight on the water, visions of bewitched swan maidens rise up before him. Siegfried catches sight of Odette, the most beautiful of the maidens. He is spell-bound, deeply struck by her beauty. At long last, he has found his romantic ideal of love. He swears to Odette that he will love her forever and be faithful to her.

Act II
Scene 3
Prospective brides-to-be are arriving at the Princess Mother's castle. The Prince must chose one of them to be his wife. But Siegfried can think of nothing but Odette and his meeting of her. He dances in an offhand way with the well-born maidens. Not one of them can compare to his ideal.
Suddenly, a mysterious knight arrives at the ball accompanied by a ravishingly beautiful young girl and a suite of black swans. It is the Evil Genius and Odile, Odette's double. Struck by their resemblance, Siegfried hurries towards Odile. The Evil Genius is putting the Prince's sentiments to the test. Siegfried is enchanted by the perfidious Odile who manages to disarm him of all his doubts. He announces Odile to be his chosen bride. At this very moment, the throne room is plunged in darkness and a vision of the beautiful Odette appears before the assembled company.
Siegfried realizes that he has become a plaything in the hands of Fate. Hoping to atone for his betrayal, he rushes in despair after the receding image of the white swan.

Scene 4
Night-time. A deep gloom overhangs the lake. Odette brings the tragic news; the Prince has broken his vow of faithfulness to her. Siegfried's conscience is deeply troubled; he hurries towards Odette begging for her forgiveness. Odette forgives the youth but she is no longer mistress of her own fate.
The Evil Genius summons up a storm which disperses, plays havoc with, the heroes of our tale, making it impossible for them to unite. Made weak by his single combat with Fate, Siegfried tries in vain to hold on to the vanish image. As dawn breaks, he finds himself alone on the empty banks of the lake of his dreams.

 

Swan Lake (Ballet by Pyotr Tchaikovsky) - Bolshoi Theatre

Ballet in two acts
Libretto by Yuri Grigorovich after scenario by Vladimir Begichev and Vasily Geltser
Choreographer: Yuri Grigorovich (2001 version)
Scenes in choreography by Marius Petipa, Lev Ivanov, Alexander Gorsky used
Designer: Simon Virsaladze
Music Director: Pavel Sorokin
Lighting Designer: Mikhail Sokolov

SYNOPSIS

Act l
Scene 1
In an old German castle, the birthday of Prince Siegfried is being celebrated; today he comes of age. He is congratulated by his mother, the Princess Mother, friends and courtiers. In a majestic ceremony, Siegfried is made a knight. From this day on a sense of duty, valor will be the guiding principles in his life.
The last toasts are pronounced in his honor, young girls, his contemporaries, try to attract his attention, but Siegfried is overcome by emotions of a different order. He dreams of a pure, ideal love. The festivities draw to an end, the guests depart, leaving the prince alone with his thoughts in the gathering dusk. Night falls. Siegfried is conscious of the presence of a shadow at his side, it is as if some mysterious force is beckoning to him. It is the Evil Genius, or Fate itself, who has come to reveal some perturbing secrets to the Prince. Submitting to the powerful pull of his invisible companion's presence and full of anxious foreboding, Siegfried succumbs to the ideal world of his dreams...

Scene 2
Lured by the Evil Genius, Siegfried finds himself on the banks of a mysterious lake. In the shimmering patches of moonlight on the water, visions of bewitched swan maidens rise up before him. Siegfried catches sight of Odette, the most beautiful of the maidens. He is spell-bound, deeply struck by her beauty. At long last, he has found his romantic ideal of love. He swears to Odette that he will love her forever and be faithful to her.

Act II
Scene 3
Prospective brides-to-be are arriving at the Princess Mother's castle. The Prince must chose one of them to be his wife. But Siegfried can think of nothing but Odette and his meeting of her. He dances in an offhand way with the well-born maidens. Not one of them can compare to his ideal.
Suddenly, a mysterious knight arrives at the ball accompanied by a ravishingly beautiful young girl and a suite of black swans. It is the Evil Genius and Odile, Odette's double. Struck by their resemblance, Siegfried hurries towards Odile. The Evil Genius is putting the Prince's sentiments to the test. Siegfried is enchanted by the perfidious Odile who manages to disarm him of all his doubts. He announces Odile to be his chosen bride. At this very moment, the throne room is plunged in darkness and a vision of the beautiful Odette appears before the assembled company.
Siegfried realizes that he has become a plaything in the hands of Fate. Hoping to atone for his betrayal, he rushes in despair after the receding image of the white swan.

Scene 4
Night-time. A deep gloom overhangs the lake. Odette brings the tragic news; the Prince has broken his vow of faithfulness to her. Siegfried's conscience is deeply troubled; he hurries towards Odette begging for her forgiveness. Odette forgives the youth but she is no longer mistress of her own fate.
The Evil Genius summons up a storm which disperses, plays havoc with, the heroes of our tale, making it impossible for them to unite. Made weak by his single combat with Fate, Siegfried tries in vain to hold on to the vanish image. As dawn breaks, he finds himself alone on the empty banks of the lake of his dreams.

 

The golden cockerel (Opera by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov) - Bolshoi Theatre

Opera in three acts
Libretto by Vladimir Belsky based on Alexander Pushkin's fairy-tale
Music Director: Yevgeny Svetlanov
Stage Director: Georgy Ansimov
Designer: Marina Sokolova
Choreographer: Mikhail Kislyarov

SYNOPSIS

Prologue
The Astrologer appears and addres ses the audience:
"Here before you an old tale
Will be enlivened by comic masks
The tale is not true, but there is a hint in it,
A lesson for fine lads".
Behind him there is a crowd. The people huddle in fear under a tower on which a sentry stands watch.
At a sign from the Astrologer, the scene is transformed into Dodon's kingdom.

Act I
In the palace, a "session" of the boyars' duma is in progress. The Tsar appeals to his boyars for advice on how to keep his kingdom safe from attack. His eldest son suggests brin ging the army back from the frontier and posting it round the capital. The Tsar and his boyars greet his sugges tion with noisy approval. General Polkan, however, disapproves of the plan. The Tsar's youngest son sug gests the army should be disbanded altogether and only mobilized again at the appearance of the enemy. Dodon is delighted at the idea! But Pol­kan turns this suggestion down too. The Duma is at a loss to know what to do. It is suggested to the boyars that they should try consulting beans or kvas grains to see what should be done.
The Astrologer appears. He pre sents Dodon with a magic Golden Cockerel who will always give warn ing of danger. The Tsar promises the Astrologer any reward he likes to name:
"I will carry out your first wish
As if it were my own".
The Astrologer departs.
The people, as usual, gather toge ther under the tower on which now, instead of a sentry, the Golden Co­ckerel stands watch. His fears alla yed, Dodon goes to sleep. The Gol den Cockerel blows a vision of a be autiful maiden into the Tsar's sweet dreams. But just as the Tsar is about to give himself up to the vision, the Cockerel crows:
"Ki-ri-ki, ki-ri-ku-ku,
Watch out. Be on the Alert!"
Noise and bustle. The Tsar mobi lizes two armies which march off to the scene of war led by his sons. He then goes back to sleep. The sweet vision is repeated. But, again the Co ckerel warns of danger. Having ga thered together a force of old men and invalids, Dodon now goes off to war himself accompanied by General Polkan.

Act II
Night-time. Dodon and his army climb down to the bottom of a nar row ravine where the Tsar, with hor ror, finds the bodies of his two dead sons - they have run their swords through each other. Dawn breaks and a mysterious tent is seen. A beautiful woman steps out of the tent and sings a hymn to the sun. It is the Queen of Shemakha. Dodon is be witched by her beauty and her sing ing. By guile and artifice, the cun ning Queen seduces Dodon who offers her his hand in marriage. His offer is accepted. Having donned new attire and dressed up Dodon in Eastern garb (he is now as submissive as a slave!) the Queen, escorted by Dodon's demoralized forces and her own suite, consisting of various grotesque oddities, sets off for Do don's capital.

Act III
Anxiety reigns in the capital. The Cockerel has become strangely silent and there is a storm brewing. Every­one is scared. Suddenly the Golden Cockerel starts to crow: Dodon is approaching. A line of grotesque oddities file past the stunned crowd it is the suite of the cunning Queen Shemakha. And now the Queen her­self comes into view, together with Dodon, whom his own people are hard put to recognize.
The Astrologer appears. He re minds the Tsar of his promise and asks for the Queen Shemakha. Dodon tries to make the old astrologer see sense, but the latter is adamant. Loosing his temper, Dodon strikes him on the forehead with his sceptre and the Astrologer falls to the ground. As the Queen Shemakha snig gers maliciously, the Golden Cocke rel now pecks the Tsar on the forehead. A peal of thunder is heard. And Dodon's kingdom vanishes in wrea thes of smoke and flames.

Epilogue
When the smoke disperses, the tower becomes visible again. The people are totally disorientated: a crown lies abandoned on the ground.
The Astrologer is not dead - he will never die. And now he concludes his tale:
"This is how the tale ended
But, the bloody outcome
However gruesome it may be,
Must not worry you".
And behind him, a crowd of peo ple gather under the tower. But on the tower, there is neither watch man, nor cockerel, nor Tsar...
And the people who have become used to slavery are stunned - for how will they manage on their own?

The golden cockerel (Opera by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov) - Bolshoi Theatre

Opera in three acts
Libretto by Vladimir Belsky based on Alexander Pushkin's fairy-tale
Music Director: Yevgeny Svetlanov
Stage Director: Georgy Ansimov
Designer: Marina Sokolova
Choreographer: Mikhail Kislyarov

SYNOPSIS

Prologue
The Astrologer appears and addres ses the audience:
"Here before you an old tale
Will be enlivened by comic masks
The tale is not true, but there is a hint in it,
A lesson for fine lads".
Behind him there is a crowd. The people huddle in fear under a tower on which a sentry stands watch.
At a sign from the Astrologer, the scene is transformed into Dodon's kingdom.

Act I
In the palace, a "session" of the boyars' duma is in progress. The Tsar appeals to his boyars for advice on how to keep his kingdom safe from attack. His eldest son suggests brin ging the army back from the frontier and posting it round the capital. The Tsar and his boyars greet his sugges tion with noisy approval. General Polkan, however, disapproves of the plan. The Tsar's youngest son sug gests the army should be disbanded altogether and only mobilized again at the appearance of the enemy. Dodon is delighted at the idea! But Pol­kan turns this suggestion down too. The Duma is at a loss to know what to do. It is suggested to the boyars that they should try consulting beans or kvas grains to see what should be done.
The Astrologer appears. He pre sents Dodon with a magic Golden Cockerel who will always give warn ing of danger. The Tsar promises the Astrologer any reward he likes to name:
"I will carry out your first wish
As if it were my own".
The Astrologer departs.
The people, as usual, gather toge ther under the tower on which now, instead of a sentry, the Golden Co­ckerel stands watch. His fears alla yed, Dodon goes to sleep. The Gol den Cockerel blows a vision of a be autiful maiden into the Tsar's sweet dreams. But just as the Tsar is about to give himself up to the vision, the Cockerel crows:
"Ki-ri-ki, ki-ri-ku-ku,
Watch out. Be on the Alert!"
Noise and bustle. The Tsar mobi lizes two armies which march off to the scene of war led by his sons. He then goes back to sleep. The sweet vision is repeated. But, again the Co ckerel warns of danger. Having ga thered together a force of old men and invalids, Dodon now goes off to war himself accompanied by General Polkan.

Act II
Night-time. Dodon and his army climb down to the bottom of a nar row ravine where the Tsar, with hor ror, finds the bodies of his two dead sons - they have run their swords through each other. Dawn breaks and a mysterious tent is seen. A beautiful woman steps out of the tent and sings a hymn to the sun. It is the Queen of Shemakha. Dodon is be witched by her beauty and her sing ing. By guile and artifice, the cun ning Queen seduces Dodon who offers her his hand in marriage. His offer is accepted. Having donned new attire and dressed up Dodon in Eastern garb (he is now as submissive as a slave!) the Queen, escorted by Dodon's demoralized forces and her own suite, consisting of various grotesque oddities, sets off for Do don's capital.

Act III
Anxiety reigns in the capital. The Cockerel has become strangely silent and there is a storm brewing. Every­one is scared. Suddenly the Golden Cockerel starts to crow: Dodon is approaching. A line of grotesque oddities file past the stunned crowd it is the suite of the cunning Queen Shemakha. And now the Queen her­self comes into view, together with Dodon, whom his own people are hard put to recognize.
The Astrologer appears. He re minds the Tsar of his promise and asks for the Queen Shemakha. Dodon tries to make the old astrologer see sense, but the latter is adamant. Loosing his temper, Dodon strikes him on the forehead with his sceptre and the Astrologer falls to the ground. As the Queen Shemakha snig gers maliciously, the Golden Cocke rel now pecks the Tsar on the forehead. A peal of thunder is heard. And Dodon's kingdom vanishes in wrea thes of smoke and flames.

Epilogue
When the smoke disperses, the tower becomes visible again. The people are totally disorientated: a crown lies abandoned on the ground.
The Astrologer is not dead - he will never die. And now he concludes his tale:
"This is how the tale ended
But, the bloody outcome
However gruesome it may be,
Must not worry you".
And behind him, a crowd of peo ple gather under the tower. But on the tower, there is neither watch man, nor cockerel, nor Tsar...
And the people who have become used to slavery are stunned - for how will they manage on their own?

Swan Lake (Ballet by Pyotr Tchaikovsky) - Bolshoi Theatre

Ballet in two acts
Libretto by Yuri Grigorovich after scenario by Vladimir Begichev and Vasily Geltser
Choreographer: Yuri Grigorovich (2001 version)
Scenes in choreography by Marius Petipa, Lev Ivanov, Alexander Gorsky used
Designer: Simon Virsaladze
Music Director: Pavel Sorokin
Lighting Designer: Mikhail Sokolov

SYNOPSIS

Act l
Scene 1
In an old German castle, the birthday of Prince Siegfried is being celebrated; today he comes of age. He is congratulated by his mother, the Princess Mother, friends and courtiers. In a majestic ceremony, Siegfried is made a knight. From this day on a sense of duty, valor will be the guiding principles in his life.
The last toasts are pronounced in his honor, young girls, his contemporaries, try to attract his attention, but Siegfried is overcome by emotions of a different order. He dreams of a pure, ideal love. The festivities draw to an end, the guests depart, leaving the prince alone with his thoughts in the gathering dusk. Night falls. Siegfried is conscious of the presence of a shadow at his side, it is as if some mysterious force is beckoning to him. It is the Evil Genius, or Fate itself, who has come to reveal some perturbing secrets to the Prince. Submitting to the powerful pull of his invisible companion's presence and full of anxious foreboding, Siegfried succumbs to the ideal world of his dreams...

Scene 2
Lured by the Evil Genius, Siegfried finds himself on the banks of a mysterious lake. In the shimmering patches of moonlight on the water, visions of bewitched swan maidens rise up before him. Siegfried catches sight of Odette, the most beautiful of the maidens. He is spell-bound, deeply struck by her beauty. At long last, he has found his romantic ideal of love. He swears to Odette that he will love her forever and be faithful to her.

Act II
Scene 3
Prospective brides-to-be are arriving at the Princess Mother's castle. The Prince must chose one of them to be his wife. But Siegfried can think of nothing but Odette and his meeting of her. He dances in an offhand way with the well-born maidens. Not one of them can compare to his ideal.
Suddenly, a mysterious knight arrives at the ball accompanied by a ravishingly beautiful young girl and a suite of black swans. It is the Evil Genius and Odile, Odette's double. Struck by their resemblance, Siegfried hurries towards Odile. The Evil Genius is putting the Prince's sentiments to the test. Siegfried is enchanted by the perfidious Odile who manages to disarm him of all his doubts. He announces Odile to be his chosen bride. At this very moment, the throne room is plunged in darkness and a vision of the beautiful Odette appears before the assembled company.
Siegfried realizes that he has become a plaything in the hands of Fate. Hoping to atone for his betrayal, he rushes in despair after the receding image of the white swan.

Scene 4
Night-time. A deep gloom overhangs the lake. Odette brings the tragic news; the Prince has broken his vow of faithfulness to her. Siegfried's conscience is deeply troubled; he hurries towards Odette begging for her forgiveness. Odette forgives the youth but she is no longer mistress of her own fate.
The Evil Genius summons up a storm which disperses, plays havoc with, the heroes of our tale, making it impossible for them to unite. Made weak by his single combat with Fate, Siegfried tries in vain to hold on to the vanish image. As dawn breaks, he finds himself alone on the empty banks of the lake of his dreams.

 

Boris Godunov (Opera by Modest Mussorgsky) - Bolshoi Theatre

Opera in five acts, nine scenes.
Music Director - Alexander Vedernikov.
Stage Director - Alexander Sokurov.
Set Designer - Yuri Kuper.
Costume Designer - Pavel Kaplevich.
Chorus Master - Valery Borisov.
Lighting Designer - Damir Ismagilov.
Premiered on April 25, 2007.
Presented with one interval.
Running time: 3 hours 40 minutes.

SYNOPSIS

Act I
Scene 1
The people have been driven to the area adjacent to the Novodevichy Monastery to implore Boris Godunov on their knees to accept the crown. The lashes of the police officers and constables 'encourage' them "not to spare their voices". The Duma secretary, Andrei Shchelkalov, appeals to God to send "consolation to sorrowing Russia". The night is drawing to a close. In the distance, the singing of blind pilgrims can be heard. These "Godfearing folk" make their way to the monastery, distributing icons and amulets among the people. They too add their voice to the pleas that Boris be elected Tsar.

Scene 2
Gathered in the Kremlin before the Assumption Cathedral, the people offer up praise to Boris. Boris is overcome by a sense of foreboding. But enough: no one must see the Tsar's fears - enemies are everywhere. And the Tsar commands that the people be summoned to a feast - "all, from boyar to blind beggar". His beloved son stands beside him. Watching the Tsar's coronation is the monk and chronicler Pimen....Shouts of 'glory!' merge with the ringing of bells.

Act II
Scene 1
Night. A cell in the Chudov Monastery. Pimen, who has been the witness of many events, is writing his chronicle. The young monk Grigory has woken up. The sound of chanting can be heard. Grigory is worried by a dream he keeps having, "a haunting, cursed dream!". He asks Pimen to interpret it for him. The young monk's dream stirs in Pimen memories of years gone by. Grigory envies Pimen, who had spent most of his life in the world, his exciting youth. His tales of tsars who had exchanged "the royal sceptre and their robes, and their splendid crown for the humble cowl of a monk" do nothing to allay the young novice's envy. He listens, with bated breath, to the monk's tale of Tsarevich Dmitry's murder. The passing comment that Grigory and the Tsarevich were of the same age, sows the seeds of an ambitious plan in his mind.

Scene 2
Grigory, who is making for Lithuania, arrives at an inn on the Lithuanian frontier, together with two tramps, the runaway monks Missail and Varlaam. Completely engrossed by the thought of becoming Pretender, he does not keep company with the old monks who have organized a small feast. Both are very tipsy, Varlaam strikes up a song. Meanwhile, Grigory questions the Hostess about the road. From his conversation with her he learns that barriers have been put up: they are searching for someone. But the affable Hostess tells Grigory about an alternative, roundabout way to the frontier. Suddenly loud knocking is heard. Talk of the devil - the police officers appear. With an eye to gain - the monks collect alms - the police officers interrogate Varlaam - who are they and where are they from? An arrest warrant is produced for the heretic, Grishka Otrepev. The police officer wants to intimidate Varlaam - perhaps he is the runaway heretic from Moscow? Grigory offers to read the warrant. When he gets to the description of the runaway, keeping his calm, he quickly reads out the characteristics of his fellow traveler. The police officers throw themselves at Varlaam. Grigory, Varlaam and Missail decide to have a bit of fun at the police officers' expense: Varlaam demands that he be allowed to read the warrant. Reading slowly, stumbling over the words, he calls out the name of Grigory, but Grigory, who has long been prepared for the worst, quickly makes his getaway.

Act III
The Tsar's apartments. The Tsarevna Xenia is crying over the death of her betrothed. Tsarevich Fyodor is learning his geography lesson. The Nurse sits, sewing. By jokes and humorous stories and simply by a heartfelt word, she tries to distract Xenia from her grief. Fyodor caps the Nurse's tale with one of his own. The Nurse joins in singing the chorus. They clap hands, acting out the tale. The Tsar comforts Xenia, putting his arm round her and kissing her, and questions Fyodor about his lessons. The sight of the kingdom of Muscovy on the map arouses painful associations in Boris. In everything - in the calamities which have overtaken the state and in his daughter's unhappiness - he sees the shadow of the murder of Tsarevich Dmitry. Learning from Shuisky, a cunning courtier, of the appearance of a Pretender in Lithuania, Boris demands he confirm the fact of the Tsarevich's death. Shuisky insidiously describes the murder in all its gory detail. This is torture to Boris: he drives Prince Shuisky, his military commander from the room. Boris succumbs to his fear and spiritual pain.

Act IV
Scene 1
At Sandomir Castle, Marina is sitting at her dressing-table. The Jesuit Rangoni appears. Invoking the authority of the Church, he instructs Marina that she must use her feminine charms to entrap the Pretender. Marina objects, but gives in as she realizes that this is in her own interests.

Scene 2
Preparations for a ball are underway at Sandomir Castle. Watching the bustle, Grigory is waiting for Marina. Enter Rangoni. By sweet speeches about Marina's beauty, the Jesuit gets the Pretender to confess his passionate love for the proud Polish Princess. Marina's numerous guests enter the hall. The ball begins. Not wishing to present Dmitry to the assembled company, Rangoni makes him leave the hall. Grigory hides amidst the dancing couples. The ball comes to an end and the guests follow Marina out into the park where they are regaled with wine.
Fountain scene. Park. A noisy crowd of merry guests strolls through the park. They are celebrating the imminent victory of the Polish forces over those of Boris. The Pretender hides behind the trees. Enter Marina. Via endearments, caprice and mockery she fans the Pretender's ambition.

Act V
Scene 1
Before the Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed, the people are engaged in a lively discussion about the rumors that the Pretender's army is approaching Moscow, the church service, the curse that had been put on Grishka Otrepyev and the fact that 'May his soul rest in heaven' had been sung for the Tsarevich. The common folk are convinced that the Pretender is the real Tsarevich Dmitry and the blasphemy shocks them - how could 'May his soul rest in heaven' be sung for a man who is still alive! The Simpleton runs in, followed by a crowd of booing urchins. Surrounding him, the urchins grab the kopek of which he had just been boasting. The Simpleton weeps. The boyars emerge from the Cathedral and distribute alms. Next comes the Tsar. The starving and the paupers - all the people gathered in the square, on their knees, arms held out to their king, beg for bread. Catching sight of the sobbing Simpleton, Boris stops and inquires who has offended him. With naïve impudence, the Simpleton asks the Tsar to murder the urchins, just as he had murdered the infant Tsarevich. Boris stops the constable who is about to arrest the Simpleton and requests the latter to pray for him. But one cannot pray for a Tsar Herod. "The Virgin Mary won't allow it".

Scene 2
A sitting of the Boyar Duma. The Pretender's fate is being decided. The slow-witted boyars regret that without Shuisky "the opinion hasn't come out quite right". Enter Shuisky. The boyars refuse to believe him when he tells them that Boris is out of his mind, but shouting "Away, away child!", the disheveled Tsar himself puts in an appearance. Boris addresses the boyars. Shuisky interrupts him with the suggestion that he listen to a holy man who wishes to tell him a great secret. Enter Pimen. His tale of the miracle, linked to the dead Tsarevich's name, of a blind man regaining his sight, is too much for Boris who collapses. Feeling that he is about to die, he calls for Tsarevich Fyodor and gives him his last instructions: he should rule Rus justly, honor the saints and protect his sister. He invokes Heaven's blessing for his children. The death knell is heard. Enter monks with the sackcloth. Boris is dead.

Boris Godunov (Opera by Modest Mussorgsky) - Bolshoi Theatre

Opera in five acts, nine scenes.
Music Director - Alexander Vedernikov.
Stage Director - Alexander Sokurov.
Set Designer - Yuri Kuper.
Costume Designer - Pavel Kaplevich.
Chorus Master - Valery Borisov.
Lighting Designer - Damir Ismagilov.
Premiered on April 25, 2007.
Presented with one interval.
Running time: 3 hours 40 minutes.

SYNOPSIS

Act I
Scene 1
The people have been driven to the area adjacent to the Novodevichy Monastery to implore Boris Godunov on their knees to accept the crown. The lashes of the police officers and constables 'encourage' them "not to spare their voices". The Duma secretary, Andrei Shchelkalov, appeals to God to send "consolation to sorrowing Russia". The night is drawing to a close. In the distance, the singing of blind pilgrims can be heard. These "Godfearing folk" make their way to the monastery, distributing icons and amulets among the people. They too add their voice to the pleas that Boris be elected Tsar.

Scene 2
Gathered in the Kremlin before the Assumption Cathedral, the people offer up praise to Boris. Boris is overcome by a sense of foreboding. But enough: no one must see the Tsar's fears - enemies are everywhere. And the Tsar commands that the people be summoned to a feast - "all, from boyar to blind beggar". His beloved son stands beside him. Watching the Tsar's coronation is the monk and chronicler Pimen....Shouts of 'glory!' merge with the ringing of bells.

Act II
Scene 1
Night. A cell in the Chudov Monastery. Pimen, who has been the witness of many events, is writing his chronicle. The young monk Grigory has woken up. The sound of chanting can be heard. Grigory is worried by a dream he keeps having, "a haunting, cursed dream!". He asks Pimen to interpret it for him. The young monk's dream stirs in Pimen memories of years gone by. Grigory envies Pimen, who had spent most of his life in the world, his exciting youth. His tales of tsars who had exchanged "the royal sceptre and their robes, and their splendid crown for the humble cowl of a monk" do nothing to allay the young novice's envy. He listens, with bated breath, to the monk's tale of Tsarevich Dmitry's murder. The passing comment that Grigory and the Tsarevich were of the same age, sows the seeds of an ambitious plan in his mind.

Scene 2
Grigory, who is making for Lithuania, arrives at an inn on the Lithuanian frontier, together with two tramps, the runaway monks Missail and Varlaam. Completely engrossed by the thought of becoming Pretender, he does not keep company with the old monks who have organized a small feast. Both are very tipsy, Varlaam strikes up a song. Meanwhile, Grigory questions the Hostess about the road. From his conversation with her he learns that barriers have been put up: they are searching for someone. But the affable Hostess tells Grigory about an alternative, roundabout way to the frontier. Suddenly loud knocking is heard. Talk of the devil - the police officers appear. With an eye to gain - the monks collect alms - the police officers interrogate Varlaam - who are they and where are they from? An arrest warrant is produced for the heretic, Grishka Otrepev. The police officer wants to intimidate Varlaam - perhaps he is the runaway heretic from Moscow? Grigory offers to read the warrant. When he gets to the description of the runaway, keeping his calm, he quickly reads out the characteristics of his fellow traveler. The police officers throw themselves at Varlaam. Grigory, Varlaam and Missail decide to have a bit of fun at the police officers' expense: Varlaam demands that he be allowed to read the warrant. Reading slowly, stumbling over the words, he calls out the name of Grigory, but Grigory, who has long been prepared for the worst, quickly makes his getaway.

Act III
The Tsar's apartments. The Tsarevna Xenia is crying over the death of her betrothed. Tsarevich Fyodor is learning his geography lesson. The Nurse sits, sewing. By jokes and humorous stories and simply by a heartfelt word, she tries to distract Xenia from her grief. Fyodor caps the Nurse's tale with one of his own. The Nurse joins in singing the chorus. They clap hands, acting out the tale. The Tsar comforts Xenia, putting his arm round her and kissing her, and questions Fyodor about his lessons. The sight of the kingdom of Muscovy on the map arouses painful associations in Boris. In everything - in the calamities which have overtaken the state and in his daughter's unhappiness - he sees the shadow of the murder of Tsarevich Dmitry. Learning from Shuisky, a cunning courtier, of the appearance of a Pretender in Lithuania, Boris demands he confirm the fact of the Tsarevich's death. Shuisky insidiously describes the murder in all its gory detail. This is torture to Boris: he drives Prince Shuisky, his military commander from the room. Boris succumbs to his fear and spiritual pain.

Act IV
Scene 1
At Sandomir Castle, Marina is sitting at her dressing-table. The Jesuit Rangoni appears. Invoking the authority of the Church, he instructs Marina that she must use her feminine charms to entrap the Pretender. Marina objects, but gives in as she realizes that this is in her own interests.

Scene 2
Preparations for a ball are underway at Sandomir Castle. Watching the bustle, Grigory is waiting for Marina. Enter Rangoni. By sweet speeches about Marina's beauty, the Jesuit gets the Pretender to confess his passionate love for the proud Polish Princess. Marina's numerous guests enter the hall. The ball begins. Not wishing to present Dmitry to the assembled company, Rangoni makes him leave the hall. Grigory hides amidst the dancing couples. The ball comes to an end and the guests follow Marina out into the park where they are regaled with wine.
Fountain scene. Park. A noisy crowd of merry guests strolls through the park. They are celebrating the imminent victory of the Polish forces over those of Boris. The Pretender hides behind the trees. Enter Marina. Via endearments, caprice and mockery she fans the Pretender's ambition.

Act V
Scene 1
Before the Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed, the people are engaged in a lively discussion about the rumors that the Pretender's army is approaching Moscow, the church service, the curse that had been put on Grishka Otrepyev and the fact that 'May his soul rest in heaven' had been sung for the Tsarevich. The common folk are convinced that the Pretender is the real Tsarevich Dmitry and the blasphemy shocks them - how could 'May his soul rest in heaven' be sung for a man who is still alive! The Simpleton runs in, followed by a crowd of booing urchins. Surrounding him, the urchins grab the kopek of which he had just been boasting. The Simpleton weeps. The boyars emerge from the Cathedral and distribute alms. Next comes the Tsar. The starving and the paupers - all the people gathered in the square, on their knees, arms held out to their king, beg for bread. Catching sight of the sobbing Simpleton, Boris stops and inquires who has offended him. With naïve impudence, the Simpleton asks the Tsar to murder the urchins, just as he had murdered the infant Tsarevich. Boris stops the constable who is about to arrest the Simpleton and requests the latter to pray for him. But one cannot pray for a Tsar Herod. "The Virgin Mary won't allow it".

Scene 2
A sitting of the Boyar Duma. The Pretender's fate is being decided. The slow-witted boyars regret that without Shuisky "the opinion hasn't come out quite right". Enter Shuisky. The boyars refuse to believe him when he tells them that Boris is out of his mind, but shouting "Away, away child!", the disheveled Tsar himself puts in an appearance. Boris addresses the boyars. Shuisky interrupts him with the suggestion that he listen to a holy man who wishes to tell him a great secret. Enter Pimen. His tale of the miracle, linked to the dead Tsarevich's name, of a blind man regaining his sight, is too much for Boris who collapses. Feeling that he is about to die, he calls for Tsarevich Fyodor and gives him his last instructions: he should rule Rus justly, honor the saints and protect his sister. He invokes Heaven's blessing for his children. The death knell is heard. Enter monks with the sackcloth. Boris is dead.

La Bayadere (Ballet by Ludvig Minkus) - Bolshoi Theatre

Ballet in three acts.
Libretto by Marius Petipa and Sergei Khudekov
Choreography: Marius Petipa
New scenic version: Yuri Grigorovich
Scenes from productions by Vakhtang Chabukiani, Nikolai Zubkovsky, Konstantin Sergeyev used
Sets and costumes after sketches by designers of the first production (1877) revived by Valery Firsov,
Nikolai Sharonov (sets) and Nikolai Sviridchikov (costumes)
Supervisor of scenery and costumes revival: Valery Levental
Music Director: Alexander Kopylov

SYNOPSIS

Act I
Young warriors led by Solor are hunting a tiger. Before entering the forest Solor asks a fakir, named Magedavia, to tell Nikia, a bayadere, that he will wait for her near the temple.
The High Brahmin and priests are solemnly leaving the temple. The feast of worshipping fire begins. Fakirs and votaries of the temple, bayaderes, are performing sacred dances. Beautiful Nikia is among them. She adorns the festival.
Having forgotten about his ordination and vow of celibacy, the High Brahmin tells Nikia that he loves her and promises to place at her feet all the riches of India. Nikia rejects his wooing. She will never love him.
Nikia and other bayaderes give the fakirs water from the sacred pool. Imperceptibly Magedavia tells Nikia that Solor will come to see her. The bayadere is happy.
It is getting dark. Nikia comes to meet her beloved. Their secret rendezvous is guarded by the fakir. But the High Brahmin manages to overhear the conversation of the sweethearts.
Solor proposes that they elope. The bayadere agrees, but first she wants him to vow fidelity to her at the sacred fire. Solor takes the oath. The High Brahmin is infuriated. He appeals to the gods and demands punishment. His revenge will be terrible.
Next morning the rajah Dugmanta, head of the principality, tells his daughter Gamzatti that she will see her fiance that day.
The rajah sends for the fiance. It is the brave warrior Solor. The rajah shows Solor his beautiful daughter and proclaims them bride and groom. The warrior is struck by Gamzatti s beauty. But he remembers the bayadere, his vow to her, and is thrown into confusion.
It is time to hold the ceremony of consecrating Gamzatti's betrothal. Nikia is invited to the palace for the ceremony.
The High Brahmin arrives. He wants to tell the rajah a secret. Dugmanta sends everybody away. Gamzatti feels that the High Brahmin s arrival is somehow connected with her forthcoming marriage and eavesdrops on the Brahmin s conversation with her father.
The High Brahmin tells the rajah about Solor s love for Nikia. Dugmanta is infuriated but doesn t change his mind to give his daughter in marriage to Solor. The bayadere, who made Solor take the oath, must die.The High Brahmin who had wanted to get rid of his rival, didn t expect such a turn of events.
He threatens the rajah with punishment of the Gods for the bayadere s death. But the rajah is unrelenting.
Gamzatti orders her slave to bring Nikia. She sees that the bayadere is very beautiful and can be a dangerous rival. The rajah s daughter tells the bayadere about her forthcoming marriage and invites her to dance at the feast. She deliberately shows her the portrait of her fiance Solor. Nikia protests: Solor loves only her and he made a vow of eternal fidelity. The rajah s daughter demands that Nikia should give up Solor. But the bayadere would rather die than part with Solor. Gamzatti offers her jewels. Nikia throws them away with scorn. Nothing will make her part with her beloved. She raises her dagger in a rage. The slave stops her. But Gamzatti will never give her fiance back.

Act II
A sumptuous feast is being held on the occasion of Solor and Gamzatti s engagement. The bayadere Nikia is supposed to entertain the guests with dances. She can t hide her grief. Her eyes are fixed on her beloved Solor.
The fakir presents Nikia with a basket of flowers on behalf of Solor. The bayadere s dance is filled with happiness. But suddenly a snake crawls out of the flowers and bites her fatally.
Nikia realizes that the rajah s daughter is to blame for her death. The High Brahmin promises to save her life if she will love him. But the bayadere is faithful to her love for Solor. Nikia dies. Solor leaves the feast in despair.

Act III
Solor is inconsolable. He is gnawed by remorse. He enjoins the fakir to distract him from his grievous thoughts. Fascinated by the sacred dance, Solor sinks into the world of dreams.
Shadows appear to him out of the darkness. They are descending from mountains in a long file. Solor sees fair Nikia among them...
Solor comes out of his dazed state and hurries to the temple. He prays to the gods to forgive him. But it s too late. The infuriated gods punish Solor for his betrayal of love. Lightning and thunder destroy the temple. There is no more reality for Solor. He follows the shadow of fair Nikia...