Composer

:

Riccardo Drigo

Genre

:

Ballet

Style

:

Ballet

Average_duration

:

3:12

Arlekinada is a ballet composed by Riccardo Drigo in 1900. The plot of the ballet is based on the character of Harlequin, a comic servant in the Italian Commedia dell'arte. The ballet is divided into two acts, with a total of 16 scenes. The ballet premiered on December 23, 1900, at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia. The choreography was created by Marius Petipa, the renowned French ballet master who had previously worked with Drigo on other ballets such as The Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake. The first act of Arlekinada takes place in a Venetian square, where Harlequin falls in love with Columbine, a beautiful young woman. However, Columbine is already engaged to Pierrot, a wealthy merchant. Harlequin tries to win Columbine's heart by performing a series of acrobatic and comedic dances, but she remains loyal to Pierrot. In the second act, Harlequin and Columbine are transported to a magical garden, where they are able to express their love freely. The garden is filled with exotic flowers, birds, and butterflies, and the couple dances a pas de deux that is both romantic and playful. The music of Arlekinada is characterized by its light and playful melodies, which are perfectly suited to the comedic and acrobatic movements of the dancers. Drigo's use of the harp, flute, and strings creates a whimsical and dreamlike atmosphere that perfectly complements the ballet's fantastical plot. Arlekinada is considered one of Drigo's most successful ballets, and it has remained a popular work in the ballet repertoire. Its enduring popularity is due in part to its charming and lighthearted plot, as well as its beautiful music and choreography.

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