Yerevan. The Sabre Dance.

Yerevan. The Sabre Dance.

On Wednesday we and our friends attended the ballet "Gayane". This is our second visit to the Yerevan Opera. "Gayane" is a landmark production: the wonderful music of A. Khachaturian, beautiful sets, heartfelt national motifs. In other words, we loved everything. Tourist season has begun in Yerevan, so the hall was full. The legendary "Sabre Dance" was written by the composer when the ballet was already finished, and added to the 4th act at the last moment.
It so happens that this greatest composer is first and foremost associated with the "dance". Foreigners, too, came for the "Sabre Dance", and after the performance the hall was jubilant. Abroad he was called Mr. Sabre Dance. The composer himself, knowing he was associated with this part of the work, wasn't too pleased, but this piece became his calling card.

I couldn't help recalling Mikhail Veller's ironic story "The Sabre Dance" about Aram Khachaturian's audience with Salvador Dali. The story doesn't claim to be historical, but it's very funny.

Next time we're going to the ballet "Spartacus" - we'll be sure to write about our impressions.

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