Spartacus

Bolshoi Ballet’s Spartacus LIVE
Aram Khachaturyan | Ballet in Three Acts
Choreography by Yuri Grigorovich | Estimated running time 215 minutes including pre-show and two
intermissions

Performed Live October 20, 2013 at the Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow

The Bolshoi’s grandiose epic Spartacus recounts the story of a Roman slave’s fight for freedom. With its
famous Khachaturian score, since the 1960s it has been considered one of the greatest ballets in the
Bolshoi repertoire. The choreography by Yuri Grigorovich fills the Bolshoi stage with dynamic scenes of
tension and conflict, and gives full expression to the virility and strength for which Russia’s male dancers
are renowned.
CAST
Spartacus: Mikhail Lobukhin
Phrygia: Anna Nikulina
Aegina: Svetlana Zakharova
Crassus: Alexander Volchkov
Featuring the Bolshoi Principals, Soloists, and Corps de Ballet
CREATIVE
Choreography : Yuri Grigorovich
Music : Aram Khachaturyan
Designer : Simon Virsaladze
Music Director : Gennadi Rozhdestvensky
Libretto by Yuri Grigorovich after the novel of the same name by Raffaello Giovagnolli, ideas used from
the scenario by Nikolai Volkov

Synopsis
The powerful Roman consul Crassus returns to Rome in triumph from his conquest of Thrace. The
Thracian king and queen, Spartacus and his wife Phrygia, are captives of the conquering general. As
Phrygia is taken away to the harem of concubines kept by Crassus, Spartacus bids her a sorrowful farewell
and mourns his captivity. To entertain Crassus and his entourage, Spartacus is sent into the gladiatorial
arena and forced to kill a close friend. Horrified, Spartacus incites his fellow captives to rebellion.

While the escaped captives celebrate their freedom, Crassus entertains the Roman patricians with a lavish
banquet, including fights between blindfolded gladiators. One of the concubines, the alluring Aegina,
seduces the guests to begin an orgy. Spartacus and his comrades disrupt the orgy and rescue the slave
women, including Phrygia, who, along with Spartacus, celebrates their escape (to the strains of the
familiar “Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia.”)Aegina discovers the rebels’ camp and sees the lovers Spartacus and Phrygia emerging from their tent in the morning. Aegina sends word to Crassus. His army pursues the rebels, who have succumbed to arguments and in-fighting. The Roman forces discover Spartacus and impale him on their spears. The hero’s closest followers retrieve his body and carry it off as Phrygia mourns her loss.

“It is enthralling to watch the dedication of every single dancer, from corps de ballet to principal. It is this unity of intention and effort which gives great companies such as the Bolshoi their unique performing style.” Sarah Crompton, The Telegraph

“The company is in spanking form, and the repertory is as rich as the dance-forces.” Clement Crisp, Financial Times