The "White" duet in J. Neumeier's ballet “Lady of the Camellias": features of the author's interpretation of the roles of Marguerite and Armand

Abstract

In this article, the author continues to study the choreographic interpretations of the works of J. Neumeier, in particular, the ballet "Lady of the Camellias". The identification of expressive staging means and choreographic elements used by Neumeier in the production of the "white" duet of Marguerite and Armand is carried out in this work in order to determine the place of this choreographic fragment in the performance and its significance both for the plastic embodiment of the images of the main characters and in the context of the evolution of the author's style. The author applied comparative-historical, ideological-artistic and analytical methods, as well as the method of included observation (based on personal experience of working with Neumeier). Video materials from the archives of the Hamburg "Ballettzentrum" and the Moscow Bolshoi Theater and lectures conducted by Neumeier on the eve of the Moscow premiere of "Lady of the Camellias" (recordings from the author's archive) were also used. A detailed analysis of the "white" duet allows us to conclude that the studied choreographic fragment is markedly different from the other two duets of Marguerite and Arman. From the point of view of developing the images of the main characters, this is the only episode of the play in which Neumeier allows the audience to see the light lyrics in the relationship between Marguerite and Armand. In the "white" duet, the choreographic innovations of the choreographer in the field of technically saturated duet dance, replete with upper supports, with a lack of preparation for them and constant control by the partner of the ballerina's movements, are especially justified. They are the main means of plastic expressiveness, creating the effect of flight, an unbroken flow of movements, as well as the visualization of musical legato. It is this duet technique (later actively used by the choreographer) that can be called a distinctive feature of the choreographic style of J. Neumeier.