Credits
Music by Fikret Amirov
Libretto by Maksud and Rustam Ibragimbekov
Choreography by Eldar Aliev
Music Director and Production Conductor: Eldar Nagiev
Production Designer (set design and costumes): Pyotr Okunev
Lighting Designer: Sergei Martynov
Video Designer: Vadim Dulenko
Assistants to Production Choreographer: Irina Sapozhnikova, Sergey Umanets, Vladislav Rzhevsky, Evgenia Rzhevskaya, Aleksandra Arkhangelskaya
Assistant to Music Director and Production Conductor: Alexey Babushkin
Assistant to Lighting Designer: Alexander Rudakov
Responsible Accompanist: Italia Novikova
2 hours 10 minutes
one intermission
The ballet One Thousand and One Nights with the music by the outstanding Azerbaijani composer Fikret Amirov (1922-1984) was created based on the famous monument of medieval Arabic and Persian literature, which combined fairy tales and short stories of the East into the story of King Shahryar and wise Scheherazade.
The premiere on the stage of NOVAT presents a large-scale production with choreography by Eldar Aliev, in which neoclassical dance is combined with expressive plasticity inspired by the traditions of the East. The monumental scenic canvas unfolds in colourful sets and luxurious costumes by Pyotr Okunev, supplemented by modern video projections. Inspired by composer Fikret Amirov's travels through the countries of the Middle East – Iraq, Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Syria, Morocco, the score carefully conveys the richness and originality of eastern musical culture. The sound of the large symphony orchestra is complemented by choral performing, as well as numerous percussion instruments – the ballet features bongos, tom-tom, xylophone, vibraphone, drums, bells, timpani, cymbals and the national Azerbaijani instrument tar, creating a unique atmosphere of the fabulous East.
Shocked by the betrayal of his beloved wife, the powerful Shahryar decides to take cruel revenge on the whole world and orders the execution of the young women of his kingdom. But one day Scheherazade appears before him. She asks the king to postpone the execution of the girls and listen to her amazing stories praising the most valuable qualities of women: beauty, love and wisdom. Shahryar agrees, and the famous Oriental tales of Sinbad the Sailor, Aladdin, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves come to life before the audience. Night after night, fascinating narratives and Scheherazade herself transform the ruler's heart, restoring his faith in love and humanity.
Act 1
The powerful king Shahryar makes farewell to his beautiful wife Nurida. Being a passionate hunter, he leaves for hunting with his archers. Left alone, Nurida is not sad for long in the absence of her husband; numerous servants at her behest arrange an orgy. Shahryar, who has suddenly returned from hunting, finds Nurida in the arms of a slave. He is shocked by the betrayal of his beloved wife. Nurida vainly begs her husband for mercy; Shahryar, in a mad rage, kills the unfaithful wife. However, revenge does not heal his soul. The deceived husband and humiliated ruler comes to a terrible decision – to execute all young women of the country. Every night a new beauty is brought to him, and at dawn the executioners take her life. Shahryar is furious in his anger, and the pleas of those doomed to death are in vain.
But then the king's gaze falls on one of the girls, Scheherazade, and at the last moment he stops the executioner. Scheherazade asks Shahryar to postpone the execution of the girls and listen to her fascinating stories praising the most valuable qualities of women: beauty, love and wisdom. The king agrees.
Act 2
On the first night, Scheherazade tells the story of a beautiful girl who was freed from the claws of an ominous bird Rukh by the fearless Sinbad. Astonished by the beauty of the girl, Sinbad falls in love with her, and she reciprocates. The loving couple lived happily ever after.
The following tale tells about Aladdin, his magic lamp, the Princess Budur and an evil wizard. Young Aladdin, overcoming dangerous trials, wins the battle with the wizard in the name of love for Princess Budur. And once again, love triumphs.
The pain of the betrayal does not subside in Shahryar's soul, and the next night Scheherazade captivates the king with a story about forty thieves and their chieftain, about Ali Baba and his wise servant Mardjana, who saved her master's life.
Scheherazade is increasingly conquering the king's heart with her beauty, chastity and delicacy. The pain in Shahryar's heart gives way to love, and he confesses this to the girl.
Shahryar goes hunting again and leaves Scheherazade alone. After returning from hunting, the king finds a girl surrounded by characters from his favourite fairy tales. The lovers are happy together.