Bolshoi Ballet: The Pharaoh’s Daughter

Music Cesare
Pugni

Libretto Jean-Henry
Saint-Georges and Marius Petipa

Choreography, sets and costumes Pierre Lacotte

Cast Svetlana
Zakharova (Aspicia), Ruslan Skvortsov (Lord Wilson) and Nina Kaptsova (Ramze,
Aspicia’s slave)

Young Englishman Lord
Wilson is travelling through Egypt when a powerful storm breaks out. He is
forced to take shelter in the nearest pyramid, where the daughter of one of
Egypt’s most powerful pharaohs lies entombed. Lord Wilson falls asleep and
begins to dream that the princess has come to life.  

The plot of this lavish
production is loosely based on Théophile Gauthier’s novel  Le Roman de la Momie. French choreographer
Pierre Lacotte was exclusively commissioned in 2000 by the Bolshoi Theatre to
resurrect Marius Petipa’s mighty Egyptian fresco, and he succeeded brilliantly
in giving new life to this forgotten masterpiece. With its exotic setting,
impressive parades, spectacular variations and crowd scenes, this grand 19th‐century Orientalist fantasy is one of the most
remarkable productions in the Bolshoi’s repertoire. The main roles are here
danced by Bolshoi principals Svetlana Zakharova, Nina Kaptsova and Ruslan
Skvortsov.

Running
time 2h30