Composer

:

Roberto Gerhard

Genre

:

Ballet

Style

:

Suite

Compose Date

:

1944

Average_duration

:

27:53

Pandora is a ballet composed by Roberto Gerhard in 1962. The plot of the ballet is based on the Greek myth of Pandora, the first woman created by the gods. According to the myth, Pandora was given a box by the gods and instructed not to open it. However, her curiosity got the better of her, and she opened the box, unleashing all the evils of the world. The ballet follows Pandora's journey as she discovers the box and ultimately opens it, leading to the downfall of humanity. The ballet is divided into three movements. The first movement, titled "The Creation of Pandora," introduces the audience to the world of the gods and the creation of Pandora. The second movement, "Pandora's Journey," follows Pandora as she discovers the box and begins to question its contents. The final movement, "The Opening of the Box," depicts the moment when Pandora opens the box and releases the evils of the world. The music of Pandora is characterized by its use of dissonance and atonality, which reflects the chaos and destruction that Pandora's actions unleash. The ballet also features a large ensemble cast, including dancers portraying the gods and various creatures of Greek mythology. Pandora premiered on June 28, 1962, at the Royal Opera House in London. The ballet was choreographed by John Cranko and featured designs by John Piper. Despite its initial critical success, Pandora has since fallen into obscurity and is rarely performed today. However, the ballet remains an important work in the canon of 20th-century ballet and a testament to Gerhard's innovative approach to composition.

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