What is Petrushka?
Q: What is Petrushka?
A: Petrushka is a ballet burlesque in four scenes. It was written by Alexandre Benois and Igor Stravinsky, with music composed by Stravinsky, choreography designed by Michel Fokine, sets and costumes designed by Benois, and first performed in Paris on 13 June 1911.
Q: Who wrote the story of the ballet?
A: The story of the ballet was written by Alexandre Benois and Igor Stravinsky.
Q: Who composed the music for Petrushka?
A: The music for Petrushka was composed by Igor Stravinsky.
Q: Who choreographed the work (designed the dances)?
A: The work (dances) were choreographed (designed) by Michel Fokine.
Q: What is the story of Petrushka about?
A: The story of Petrushka tells of the loves and jealousies between three puppets brought to life at a Shrovetide Fair in 1830s St Petersburg. One puppet, Petrushka, falls in love with a Ballerina who rejects him because she likes another puppet called The Moor; this leads to an altercation between them which ends with The Moor killing Petruskha with his scimitar.
Q: How has it been received over time?
A: Over time, it has been highly praised as one of the greatest ballets due to its perfect fusion of music, choreography, décor and theme - that being "the timeless tragedy of the human spirit". It continues to be popular today and usually performed using original designs and dances from when it premiered in 1911.
