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Aram Khachaturian

Spartacus

Ballet

Stage

Spartacus (Russian: «Спартак», Spartak) is a ballet by Aram Khachaturian (1903–1978). The work follows the exploits of Spartacus, the leader of the slave uprising against the Romans known as the Third Servile War, although the ballet's storyline takes considerable liberties with the historical record. Khachaturian composed Spartacus in 1954, and was awarded a Lenin Prize for the composition that same year.

From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Synopsis

Principal characters:

Crassus, Roman consul
Spartacus, captive king of Thrace
Phrygia, wife of Spartacus
Aegina, concubine to Crassus

Act 1

The Roman consul Crassus returns to Rome from his latest conquests in a triumphal procession. Among his captives are the Thracian king Spartacus and his wife Phrygia. Spartacus laments his captivity and bids a bitter farewell to Phrygia, who is taken off to join Crassus's harem of concubines. To entertain Crassus and his entourage, Spartacus is sent into the gladiatorial ring and is forced to kill a close friend. Horrified at his deed, Spartacus incites his fellow captives to rebellion.

  1. 1. Introduction
  2. 10. Gladiator's death
  3. 11. Revolt of the slaves and Phrygia's jubilation
  4. 2. March of the gladiators
  5. 3. Egyptian dance
  6. 4. Dance of Phrygia and scene of parting
  7. 5. Dance of the Greek slaves
  8. 6. Scene and dance with Crotales
  9. 7. Etruscan Dance
  10. 8. Aegina's variation and Bacchanalia
  11. 9. Fight of the blindfold gladiators

Act 2

The escaped captives celebrate their freedom. Meanwhile, Crassus entertains the Roman patricians with lavish entertainment. Spartacus and the other escaped captives disrupt the orgy and rescue the slave women, including Phrygia. Aegina insists that Crassus pursue the slave army immediately. The lovers celebrate their escape to the "Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia".

  1. 1. The Via Appia
  2. 10. Adagio
  3. 11. Crassus's Dance
  4. 12. Dance of the Gaditanian maidens - Victory of Spartacus
  5. 13. Spartacus and Crassus fight
  6. 2. Dance of the shepherd and shepherdess
  7. 3. Slaves' variation
  8. 4. Dance on the shields
  9. 5. Arrival of Spartacus and his narrative
  10. 6. Parting of Spartacus and Phrygia
  11. 7. Introduction and dance of the nymphs
  12. 8. Aegina's dance
  13. 9. Adagio of Aegina and Crassus

Act 3

Aegina discovers Spartacus's camp and observes the lovers emerging from their tent the next morning. Aegina sends word to Crassus, who sends his army in pursuit. Internecine struggles break out among Spartacus's forces. Finally, Crassus's forces discover Spartacus and impale him upon their spears. Spartacus's closest followers recover his body and carry it off while Phrygia mourns her loss.

  1. 1. Crassus and Aegina
  2. 10. Final battle
  3. 11. Spartacus's path
  4. 12. Death of Spartacus and Requiem
  5. 2. Bustle
  6. 3. Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia
  7. 4. Scene
  8. 5. Entry of Spartacus
  9. 6. Entry of the merchants. General dance
  10. 7. Aegina's dance
  11. 8. General dance
  12. 9. Entry of Spartacus, quarrel and Harmodius's treachery
  1. Spartacus: Adagio of Spartacus & Phrygia
  2. Spartacus: Dance of the Gaditanae – The Rebels’ Approach
  3. Spartacus: The Entrance of Harmodius – Adagio of Aegina and Harmodius
  4. Spartacus: Variation of Aegina

Synopsis from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

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