Composer

:

Charles-Marie Widor

Genre

:

Ballet

Style

:

Ballet

Compose Date

:

Apr 13, 1882

La Korrigane, Op. 42 is a ballet composed by Charles-Marie Widor in 1892. The plot of the ballet revolves around a group of Breton peasants who are celebrating the harvest festival. During the festivities, a group of Korrigans, or mischievous spirits, appear and begin to dance with the peasants. One of the Korrigans, a beautiful female spirit, falls in love with a young peasant named Yannick. However, their love is forbidden, as Korrigans are not allowed to fall in love with humans. The ballet is divided into three movements. The first movement, titled "The Harvest Festival," is a lively and energetic dance that sets the scene for the festivities. The second movement, titled "The Dance of the Korrigans," is a haunting and ethereal dance that captures the otherworldly nature of the spirits. The third movement, titled "The Love of Yannick and the Korrigane," is a passionate and emotional dance that depicts the forbidden love between Yannick and the Korrigane. One of the characteristics of La Korrigane is its use of traditional Breton folk music. Widor incorporates elements of Breton music into the score, including the use of bagpipes and other traditional instruments. This gives the ballet a distinctly Breton flavor and helps to transport the audience to the rural setting of the story. La Korrigane premiered on May 23, 1892, at the Opéra Garnier in Paris. The ballet was choreographed by Marius Petipa, who was one of the most famous ballet choreographers of the time. The lead roles were danced by the renowned ballerina Carlotta Brianza and the celebrated danseur noble Pavel Gerdt. Despite its initial success, La Korrigane has not remained in the ballet repertoire. However, the score has been recorded and performed in concert settings, and it remains a testament to Widor's skill as a composer and his ability to capture the essence of Breton folk music in his music.

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