Behind the Scenes with Music Worcester and the Russian National Ballet
Lisa Condit spoke with Adrien Finlay from Music Worcester, which will present the Russian National Ballet’s Giselle at The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts on Friday, March 13. Read on for highlights from the interview or listen to the full interview below, then tune in to WCRN 830AM on Saturdays at 1 PM for more behind-the-scenes interviews!
Lisa: I can’t think of a better way to spend Friday, March 13 than watching one of the most beautiful ballets of all time, Giselle.
Adrien: The story of Giselle absolutely fits with Friday the 13th. It is a story of unrequited love and revenge from beyond the grave.
Lisa: These beautiful, classical ballets that are so dreamy often have a dark side to them.
Adrien: They all do. We’re so used to the Disney versions like “Sleeping Beauty” or “Cinderella.” All of them have a darker source of origin through folk tales, like the Brothers Grimm. I would suggest coming with fresh eyes. It will be a new experience.
Lisa: This ballet was first seen in Moscow in 1843. It was created just two years before that in Paris. That is a long time for a piece of classical ballet to be in existence.
Adrien: It is such a tour de force. You have these scenes and acts that provide such an opportunity for amazing and beautiful choreography. It is thrilling and so scenic.
Lisa: Tell us more about the Russian National Ballet.
Adrien: We have a great history with this company. Giselle as a ballet is not much older than Music Worcester. We’ve been around here since 1858. We have been presenting ballets with this company at The Hanover Theatre every other year since the beginning of theatre 12 years ago, and, since last year, every year. The founder of this company comes from the Bolshoi. She started this company in 1994 and they’ve been global ever since.
Lisa: Ballet has had a resurgence, and the audience is building. I think that mass media has helped to bring ballet into a mainstream art form again, but there is nothing like sitting in a theatre for that live experience.
Adrien: I agree. In our recent seasons, we’ve had an eye to bringing more dance. We had the Dance Theatre of Harlem back in the fall. Whether it’s Natalie Portman in “Black Swan,” or just the gorgeous music, it’s the spectacle.
