Composer

:

Kara Karayev

Genre

:

Ballet

Style

:

Ballet

"Seven Beauties" is a ballet suite composed by Kara Karayev in 1952. The ballet is based on the poem "Seven Beauties" by Azerbaijani poet Nizami Ganjavi. The ballet tells the story of a prince who falls in love with seven princesses from different parts of the world. Each princess represents a different virtue, such as beauty, wisdom, and kindness. The ballet is divided into seven movements, each representing one of the princesses. The first movement, "The Indian Princess," is a lively and colorful dance that represents the beauty and grace of the Indian princess. The second movement, "The Chinese Princess," is a delicate and intricate dance that represents the wisdom and intelligence of the Chinese princess. The third movement, "The Persian Princess," is a passionate and fiery dance that represents the strength and courage of the Persian princess. The fourth movement, "The Byzantine Princess," is a regal and majestic dance that represents the power and authority of the Byzantine princess. The fifth movement, "The Khorezmian Princess," is a playful and energetic dance that represents the joy and happiness of the Khorezmian princess. The sixth movement, "The Russian Princess," is a romantic and melancholic dance that represents the love and longing of the Russian princess. The final movement, "The Arabian Princess," is a grand and dramatic dance that represents the ultimate beauty and perfection of the Arabian princess. The ballet ends with the prince realizing that true beauty lies not in external appearances, but in the virtues of the heart. "Seven Beauties" premiered on April 17, 1952, at the Azerbaijan State Opera and Ballet Theater in Baku, Azerbaijan. The ballet was a huge success and has since become one of the most popular ballets in Azerbaijan and the former Soviet Union. Kara Karayev's music for "Seven Beauties" is characterized by its use of traditional Azerbaijani folk melodies and rhythms, as well as its incorporation of Western classical music techniques. The music is rich and colorful, with lush orchestration and intricate harmonies. Overall, "Seven Beauties" is a beautiful and captivating ballet that showcases the talents of both Kara Karayev and the Azerbaijani ballet dancers who perform it. Its timeless themes of love, beauty, and virtue continue to resonate with audiences around the world.

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