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THE GOLDEN COCKEREL PREMIERE
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The Golden Cockerel
was the outstanding success of the Russian Ballet's last pre-war season
in 1914. The audience gasped when, from the totally blacked-out theatre,
the curtain rose on the stunning set. Bright primary colours, distorted
perspective and stylised floral motifs, were used by Russian painter
Natalia Goncharova. While they seemed naïve, the designs were,
in fact, contemporary interpretations of her national culture. The simplicity
and vigour of her designs provided a welcome antidote to the lush, Orientalism
and splendour associated with the designs of Léon Bakst
and Alexandre Benois. In
1937, the Russian Ballet of Col. W. de Basil staged a revival of this
ballet, for which Goncharova redesigned the set and costumes. |
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