Choreographer and dancer Lev Ivanov entered the history of Russian ballet as the author of a world masterpiece - the dance of little swans. The Russian artist not only performed leading parts in classical productions. In his repertoire there were also characteristic roles. Deservedly ballet teacher is called a reformer of world choreography.
In his work, Lev Ivanovich Ivanov always considered the most important component of music. Therefore, all of his productions are distinguished by amazing harmony and imagery.
Way to Vocation
The biography of the future leader began in 1834. The child was born in Moscow on March 2. In the family, the boy was the eldest. From an early age he showed talent for dancing. Seeing his talent, parents gave their son to the capital's ballet school. From there, a talented student was transferred to St. Petersburg for education.
On a new dream, teachers immediately appreciated the beginner's abilities. He was also distinguished by absolute hearing and excellent memory. True, the teachers considered the enthusiasm for music superfluous: the student was distracted from studying other subjects. The debut on stage took place in 1850.
A sixteen-year-old pupil was dancing in the ballet "Millers" the classic pas de deux. The premiere was great, the aspiring artist constantly participated in productions. In 1852, the gifted artist was accepted into the troupe of the Bolshoi Theater in St. Petersburg. At first, the newcomer was credited to the corps de ballet.
However, the leading ballerinas Andrianova and Smirnova immediately noticed him there. They appreciated the young man’s talent and chose him on stage as their partner. Leo performed characteristic and classical parts. In his repertoire there were secondary roles. He was transferred to the soloists in 1956. Ivanov performed the Knee in “Vain Precaution”, was Phoebe in Esmeralda, Conrad in Corsair.
The dancer was the first performer of the party of the fisherman Taor in the ballet "Daughter of the Pharaoh" to the music of Caesar Pugni, staged by Petipa. He also brilliantly performed the role of Solor in the ballet La Bayadere.
Success and disappointment
At first, the artist’s personal life was also happy. His chosen one was the dancer Vera Lyadova, daughter of the famous Russian composer. Young people became husband and wife. Soon Vera went into operetta.
Her work was highly appreciated by contemporaries. The artist was called the Russian opera diva. Since her recognition in the new field, marriage has cracked. The happy union broke up.
Since the sixties, the artist began to work as a choreographer, began teaching. In 1872 he retired, but the theater leadership persuaded him to stay and continue his work. In 1882, Ivanov was appointed to the post of director of the St. Petersburg ballet.
Three years later, he was transferred as a second choreographer to Petipa. The duties of Lev Ivanovich included the resumption of old performances, staging dances. Ivanov also created divertissements and staged one-act ballets for the Kamennoostrovsky Theater.
As a teacher, the choreographer led the senior class of pupils of the school. In 1887, he presented his first performance, The Enchanted Forest. The production was created based on the premiere at the school.
New achievements
In the same period there appeared Harlem Tulip, Amur Prank and Seville Beauty. Ivanov gained fame as an experienced professional. Triumphant was his production of Polovtsian Dances for the opera Prince Igor by Borodin in 1890. Later, researchers called Lev Ivanovich's work a preparation for a coup in a characteristic dance.
The work of Borodin aroused great respect among the choreographer. In the complex construction of his dance suite, the choreographer managed to convey an increase in tension. Dance scenes in the camp of the Polovtsy were highly appreciated by critics. By the beginning of the summer of 1892, Petipa began work on the ballet The Nutcracker to the music of Tchaikovsky.
However, he could not continue the activity. He was replaced by Ivanov. Lev Ivanovich faced a difficult task. The choreographer tried his best to leave the predecessor aesthetics unchanged and fulfill all the conditions of the script. Innovation in full force was manifested in the deepening scene of the snow flake waltz scene.
This work was called the triumph of a major artist. It was the work of Tchaikovsky that gave the master the opportunity to decide on the imagery that became the cause of all further achievements of the choreographer. His failures or successes depended entirely on the music. For him, she became the main component of the production.
Spring 1893 was the premiere for the school version of the comic ballet The Magic Flute. In memory of Peter Tchaikovsky who passed away on October 25, the Directorate of the Imperial Theaters decided to put Swan Lake. The management considered that the new ballet will find its fans.
The second picture, staged by Ivanov, was first shown in February 1894. At that time, Lev Ivanovich was engaged in work alone, but he could not reject Petipa’s brilliant idea and contrasting the tender Odette with the temperamental Odile. However, it was Ivanov’s “little swans” that made the performance famous.
