LES NOCES (SVADEBKA),
version 2019

Performance "Les Noces" by Igor Stravinsky staged by Tatiana Baganova is already a legend. It is the prize-winner of the Russian National Theatre Award Golden Mask — 2000 (the best work of choreographer).
Performance is based on Igor Stravinsky’s work, which he himself described as "Russian choreographic scenes with singing and music". The composer wrote: "My aim was to describe the ritual of Russian peasant wedding through citation the folklore, in other words, not literary texts. This was a natural interchange of poetic images born out of old Slavic ceremonial rites".
Structure of performance is organized around the old rite of Northern Slavic tribes telling about the bridegroom, who must cut the bride’s braid- the symbol of woman’s power — by himself. In front of our eyes we see unfolding of the process in which the young couple meets and gets acquainted, the wedding proposal, preparations for the sacred ritual and — the culmination! — cutting of the bride’s braid, kind of wedding of the young couple.

Choreography: Tatiana Baganova
Music: «Les Noces» by Igor Stravinsky
Scenography: Yaroslav Frantsev
Costume design: POMELOV
Lighting design: Maxim Sergachev
Running time: 30 min
18+

An even grimmer picture of pubessent afflictions was drawn by Provincial Dances, with a stylised and overloaded version of "Les Noces", to Stravinsky's music of the same name , choreographed by Tatiana Baganova. That candles are blown out at the start makes for a dramatic accent, and is at the same time a play on the fate of the young bride after the wedding. It is not difficult to recognize the mark of Bronislava Nijinska in the sombre and gloomy atmosphere and in the twisted up, angular movements in unison. In Baganova's version, the story is about distinct individuals instead of a collective, and is told in solos and a variety of interactive forms.
Ballet International Tanz Aktuelle

Stravinsky's «SVADEBKA» staged by Tatiana Baganova looks scandalously broken with cuts still it is a success. The choreographer juggles with cultural layers like a virtuoso. Now she sends spectators to Vatslav Nizhinsky`s archaic static's, now she switches on folklore «body's memory» now she uses rhythms of the modern rap. With a lot of quotations, Baganova creates a language of amazing integrity. She manipulates with subjects and space easily, constructs a very difficult polyphony of visual effects. With the help of seven dancers, Baganova takes power of all might of music, stages mise en scenes in masterly fashion. This is the best performance from the festival program and is sure to be a nominee on «The Golden Mask».
Kommersant

Baganova's «SVADEBKA» reveals dark and tragic aspects of the Russian ceremony. Everything is designed precisely and laconically: mise en scene, sharp plastics, shrewd play with quotations, careful use of folklore. Yet, outward restraints intensify the emotional outburst. There is neither a strain nor pseudo-Russian pathos in the performance about a bride's cry. «SVADEBKA» by the Ekaterinburg troupe is the only event of the whole festival.
Izvestija

Brilliantly expressed ceremonial origins, distinct national character, personal relationship to the chosen music, rich and expressive manner - you can find everything in this piece.
Culture