Igor Kolb Premieres Marc Chagall Ballet at Bolshoi Theatre

The Bolshoi Theatre of Belarus is preparing a new ballet titled “Love on Stage. The production explores the life and artistic universe of painter Marc Chagall, using his biography as a narrative framework to connect the fates of various historical figures and artistic movements.”

Production Concept and Artistic Vision

According to production details, the ballet’s storyline follows a rapid geographic and emotional flight, moving from Vitebsk to Petersburg, Moscow, and Paris. Igor Kolb explained the conceptual core of the production through the lens of the artist’s worldview, noting that houses and blue goats fly across Chagall’s universe, lifting lovers above everyday routines. The staging emphasizes that love and human connection allow individuals to rise above life’s tribulations, regardless of external circumstances.

A particularly poignant sequence in the production addresses the fate of the Jewish people during World War II. To convey the scale of this historical tragedy and enduring pain, the choreographer weaves the story of Ivan and Julia from Vasil Bykov’s “Alpine Ballad” into the narrative fabric. Additionally, prayers in Yiddish will be performed during the show as an emotional tribute to the artist’s roots and the cultural environment that shaped his fantastical visual language.

Musical Score and Historical Figures

The musical framework of the ballet combines works by Johannes Brhams, Sergei Prokofiev, Alfred Schnittke, and Belarusian composer Andrei Zubrich, under the direction of musical director and conductor, People’s Artist of the Republic of Bashkortostan Artyom Makarov. Kolb noted that extensive work went into listening to various compositions to find an ideal balance that directly reflects the emotional state of each character.

The production features several historical figures woven around Chagall’s central role. Anton Kravchenko and Lyudmila Khitrova portray Vladimir Mayakovsky and Lilya Brik, while Alexandra Chizhik and Ivan Kamyshov appear as Sergei Yesenin and Isadora Duncan. The dramatic roles of ballet artists Olga Spessivtseva and Serge Lifar are assigned to Elizaveta Musorina, Nika Skrebkova, Konstantin Belokhvostik, and Andrei Bariev. Bariev also portrays an older, mature Marc Chagall in the ballet’s philosophical finale, representing a creator’s journey toward the solitude inherent in artistic pursuit.