'It's Ballet Archaeology' | Hallberg in Conversation with Alexei Ratmansky | The Australian Ballet

Petipa's Harlequinade only existed on paper for a century, until Alexei Ratmansky gave it another life onstage. David Hallberg chats with Alexei about the history of Harlequinade and his own connection to the ballet. Book Harlequinade: bit.ly/TABHarlequinade Subscribe to our Channel: bit.ly/3hBJ2WH
A lively love story based on commedia dell’arte, Harlequinade was created in 1900 by Marius Petipa, who choreographed some of classical ballet’s most enduring works, including Swan Lake and The Sleeping Beauty. Working with the original notation of Petipa’s choreography, Alexei Ratmansky, former director of the Bolshoi Ballet and artist in residence at American Ballet Theatre, has produced a loving and humorous revival.
Harlequin and Columbine are in love, but her father, who wants her to marry a rich buffoon, has her locked up by Pierrot, his loyal servant. Pierrot’s wife, sympathetic to the young couple, helps her escape, and a Good Fairy gives Harlequin a magical slap stick that helps him triumph over the odds and win Columbine’s hand in marriage.
The melodic, lilting score is by Riccardo Drigo, a close collaborator of Tchaikovsky’s; the sets and costumes were created by Robert Perdziola, based on a close study of the 1900 originals, which are held at a museum in St Petersburg.
After his century-long sleep, the irrepressible Harlequin is wide awake and ready to charm ballet lovers of all ages.
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Thumbnail photo by Chris Rodgers-Wilson

[@brendadufaur37]

Halberg looks like poetry in motion just sitting there. What a beautiful ballet dancer he was from very young (look at his class on youtube when he was a teenager). His legs and bearing are effortless art in themselves.

[@tempo9198]

Thanks for sharing this enlightening conversation!

[@davidlogan4329]

Thank you so very much David for allowing Alexei to stage Halequinade. Petipa was such a brilliant choreographer and Commedia of course is so much fun. It's truly magnificent to see such a production staged by Australian Ballet. I hope you will bring this wonderful ballet to Brisbane as soon as you can. Best, David

[@mrlopez-pz7pu]

Unfortunately the Australian Ballet performs the music at an extremely slow tempo, and they omitted Petipa's magnificently choreographed coda of the children's dances (maybe they just did this for the livestream). ABT performed the ballet better and at proper tempo.

[@georgeabdulnour2727]

Hi from Melbourne Australia.

[@elizzy8754]

So glad to see Ratmansky working with the Australian Bally. I hope he can stage his Giselle for them.