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Ballet by John Neumeier free after Henrik Ibsen
Peer Gynt
"Peer Gynt certainly must rank musically as the most substantial full length ballet d’action commissioned since Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet of 1938. The ailing fifty-year-old composer was considered by many to be the most important composer of our time. This is by far the most ambitious undertaking of Neumeier’s career and I find that on the whole he has magnificently succeeded."
Horst Koegler
Music: Alfred Schnittke
Commission Score for the Hamburg State Opera
Choreography and Staging: John Neumeier
Set and Costumes: Jürgen Rose
2 hours 50 minutes | 1 intermission
Part 1: 90 minutes, Part 2: 50 minutes
PREMIERE:
The Hamburg Ballet, Hamburg, January 22, 1989
PRODUCTION 2015 – PREMIERE:
The Hamburg Ballet, Hamburg, June 28, 2015
ORIGINAL CAST:
Peer Gynt: Ivan Liska
Solveig: Gigi Hyatt
Aase: Anna Grabka
The Other - Ingrid, The green One, Anitra: Chantal Lefèvre
Peer's Aspects:
Anima: Gigi Hyatt
Childhood: Patrick Becker
Flying: Jeffrey Kirk
Erotic: Jean Laban
Daredevil: Eric Miot
Aggression: Gamal Gouda
Doubt: Stephen Pier
ON TOUR:
1990 Paris, Moscow, Leningrad 2016 Moscow
IN THE REPERTORY:
Royal Swedish Ballet
PROLOGUE Into the world
Peer has many aspects
FIRST ACT Norway
The young Peer and his mother Aase Peer’s fantasy – the ride through the air
Dance on the Haegstadhof – Ingrid’s wedding Peer sees Solveig
he cannot have her, and kidnaps the bride
Flight into the mountains
Peer has Ingrid, and wants Solveig
Solveig searches for Peer, Aase calls for him
Phantoms or reality – the troll world
Peer meets The Green One
he allows himself to be seduced, but does not conform
Solveig rings the bells
Roundabout or through the middle to her Peer stands in his own way
Alone, high up in the mountains Peer builds his house
Solveig comes to him
Disruption – the past catches up with Peer he cannot stay
Aase is destitute
Peer comes to her, she dies Peer leaves
SECOND ACT Out in the World – Illusions
Auditions for a show
the beginner Peer is noticed
and is hired
Revue theatre – “Rainbow Sextet” Peer draws attention to himself he is successful
Music Hall – “The Slave Handler” Peer builds his career
Premiere party with the film star Anitra Peer is the centre of attention
and courts Anitra
At the cinema
Peer’s star rises – Anitra’s sinks
Premiere party with Peer Gynt the famous film actor
he is the new star
At the film studio
Peer films “Caeser of the World” he is a megalomaniac,
and loses control
Asylum nightmare Peer has lost himself
THIRD ACT Return
Homecoming Memories Ingrid’s funeral Solveig waits
Peer searches for himself and finds Peer everyman
EPILOGUE Out of the World
Solveig recognises Peer Peer recognises Solveig
