A Hero of Our Time
Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow, Russia
06/2015
Duration 2 hours, 45 minutesComposer Ilya Demutsky
Choreographer Yuri Possokhov
Director Kirill Serebrennikov
Set Designer Anya Marchenko
Costume Designer Elena Zaitseva
Conductor Anton Grishanin
Lighting and Video Design Simon Donger
The world premiere of the ballet A Hero of Our Time took place on July 22, 2015, at the Bolshoi Theatre. Created for the bicentenary of Mikhail Lermontov’s birth, it was the first time this classic novel was adapted through choreography. This 2-hour, 45-minute production revived the Bolshoi's tradition of grand, multi-act ballets with rich dramaturgy, original music, and elaborate sets.
The ballet features music by Ilya Demutsky in his ballet debut and choreography by Yuri Possokhov, known for Cinderella at the Bolshoi and productions for major international companies. Three parts of the novel—Bela, Taman, and Princess Mary—were chosen, each representing a stage in Pechorin’s character development, with unique themes and self-contained narratives.
Lermontov’s text was incorporated into vocal solos, blending seamlessly with the music. In Princess Mary, athletes from Russia's national wheelchair dance team performed, adding depth to the production.
The ballet earned ten Golden Mask nominations and won three, including Best Ballet and Best Composer.
Performance,
Scenography,
Theatre