description The Legend of Love Overview
“The Legend of Love,” choreographed by Matthew Bourne, is a contemporary retelling of Leo Tolstoy’s *Anna Karenina*, set to the music of Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry, depicting a tragic love affair against the backdrop of late 19th-century Russia.
help The Legend of Love FAQ
Who choreographed The Legend of Love and when did it premiere?
The Legend of Love (Legenda o lyubvi) was choreographed by Yuri Grigorovich and premiered at the Bolshoi Theatre in 1961. The score was composed by Azerbaijani composer Arif Melikov.
What is the story behind The Legend of Love?
Based on a play by Turkish poet Nazım Hikmet, the ballet tells of Queen Mekhmene Banu, who sacrifices her beauty to save her sister's life, sparking a tragic love triangle. The narrative explores themes of self-sacrifice, jealousy, and devotion.
Is The Legend of Love still performed by the Bolshoi Ballet?
Yes, it remains one of Grigorovich's signature works and is still staged by the Bolshoi Ballet. It was also adapted for the Mariinsky Theatre and has been recorded for cinema broadcast.
What characterizes the musical score of The Legend of Love?
Arif Melikov's orchestration blends Soviet-era symphonic writing with Azerbaijani and Middle Eastern musical influences. The dramatic, large-scale score supports the ballet's epic narrative and extensive corps de ballet sequences.
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