INTERPRETATIONS OF THE “SWAN LAKE” BALLET IN MODERN FOREIGN STAGINGS

Abstract

The article is devoted to interpretations of the “Swan Lake” ballet choreography in modern stagings of foreign theaters. The purpose of the study is to identify the features of modern choreography, in which author’s methods and innovative techniques are actively used. The research objectives are to interpret specific choreographic techniques in the “Swan Lake” ballet staging by foreign choreographers. The analyzed period of ballet stagings included three theatrical seasons in 2020 – 2022. The research methodology is based on the art history approach and includes the general scientific methods (analysis, synthesis, classification, comparison), as well as a number of special methods: historiographic analysis of scientific literature on the research topic; qualitative and comparative analysis; as well as the statistical method. The results obtained were analyzed using a software for advanced statistical analytics and translated into a graphical format for perception clarity. Each ballet staging sample was evaluated by the average score for selected analysis criteria, which made it possible to bring all calculations to a 10-point scale. Based on the research results, the author concluded the following: in modern stagings of the “Swan Lake” ballet plastic symbolism dominates. Compared to classical stagings, musical information content and scenography are minimized, and stage design is practically absent. Choreographic solutions are completely subordinated to the postmodern concept, which is expressed in fantasy and farcical styles of dance.