Composer

:

Luigi Dallapiccola

Genre

:

Ballet

Style

:

Ballet

Average_duration

:

16:39

"Marsia" is a ballet composed by Luigi Dallapiccola in 1947. The plot of the ballet is based on the Greek myth of Marsyas, a satyr who challenged the god Apollo to a musical contest and lost. As punishment, Apollo flayed Marsyas alive. The ballet explores themes of hubris, punishment, and the power of music. The ballet is divided into three movements. The first movement, "The Contest," depicts the musical competition between Marsyas and Apollo. The music is lively and energetic, with the two characters playing off each other in a series of musical duels. The second movement, "The Punishment," is much darker and more somber. It depicts the aftermath of the contest, with Marsyas being flayed alive by Apollo. The music is dissonant and unsettling, reflecting the horror of the scene. The final movement, "The Lament," is a mournful elegy for Marsyas. The music is slow and mournful, with a sense of sadness and loss. The premiere of "Marsia" took place in Florence, Italy, in 1947. The ballet was choreographed by George Balanchine, with sets and costumes by Salvador Dalí. The ballet was well-received by audiences and critics alike, and it has since become a staple of the ballet repertoire. One of the key characteristics of "Marsia" is its use of atonality and dissonance. Dallapiccola was a leading figure in the Italian avant-garde, and his music often pushed the boundaries of traditional tonality. The dissonant, unsettling music of the second movement is a prime example of this. Another characteristic of the ballet is its use of percussion. The percussion section is prominent throughout the ballet, adding to the sense of energy and excitement in the first movement and the horror and violence in the second. Overall, "Marsia" is a powerful and evocative ballet that explores themes of music, power, and punishment. Its innovative music and choreography have made it a classic of the ballet repertoire.

More....