Schedule for Evening of one-act Ballets: Class Concert. La Dame de Pique 2022

Composer: Peter Tchaikovsky
Composer: Dmitry Shostakovich
Composer: Alexander Glazunov
Light Designer: Damir Ismagilov
Composer: Anton Rubinstein
Designer: Igor Chapurin
Music Director: Pavel Klinichev

Orchestra: Bolshoi Theatre Symphony Orchestra

The world premiere took place at the Bolshoi Theatre on October 26, 2001.

Synopsis

Scene 1
Prologue
Hermann is obsessed with his thoughts of the game. To him, it seems the cards of all suits gather around him and come to him from the gaming table. He, himself, is not playing, but is watching the game.
The ghost appears - an elderly woman in black. She lays down one card, then another, then a third. Bank notes flow to the stage. She wins and disappears without taking the winnings.
Hermann remains alone. At his feet are the winning cards - white, without the signs of the suit.

Scene 2
Gambling Hall
Hermann is in the gambling hall. Trying not to miss a thing, he watches the gamblers.

Scene 3
Ballroom
The gamblers join the others dancing at the ball.
Hermann seems indifferent walking about the ballroom. He wants to learn how to win at cards in order to provide for his future.
The Countess appears. Strangely enough, she reminds Hermann of the ghost of the elderly woman that he saw earlier in the gambling hall. She is followed by a young lady - her ward, Liza. Everybody talks about the Countess and greets her. Hermann also tries to get closer to her. He is aware that she knows the secret of the "lucky" cards.
Hermann envisions himself talking to the Countess. Everyone leaves; the Countess follows her young escort. Hermann watches them depart. It seems to the girl that he has fallen in love with her.
She comes back to collect the handbag she left behind. Hermann talks to her, and asks for a secret date, and she gives him a key to her room.

Scene 4
The Countess’ room
Hermann sneaks into the Countess’ house and finds himself in her room. She comes enters, accompanied by her maids and her ward. She takes off her jewelry, dress, corset and wig. She changes her clothes behind the screen, returns and sends her maids away.
Hermann, who has been waiting for the Countess to be alone, emerges from his cover. He wants to know "the secret of the three cards". The Countess remains speechless, but Hermann insists, he even tries to embrace her - he would "become her lover, should it be necessary", as Pushkin wrote. Finally, he threatens her with a pistol. The Countess drops dead from fear, Hermann runs away. Liza comes. The Countess is dead at her feet.

Scene 5
Hermann’s room
Back in his room, Hermann gives way to despair. He failed to find out the secret of the three cards and his life is forever ruined. He holds the pistol, which was the reason for the Countess’ death…
But suddenly, she - or her ghost - appears and tells Hermann about the three winning cards: three, seven and queen - hearts, diamonds, clubs, but for the queen of spades. Hermann throws on his coat and runs out.

Scene 6
Big gambling hall
"The Big game" is in full swing. Hermann comes and joins the others in the game… A three wins, a seven wins… but a queen is up - he grows pale - the Queen of Spades. All is over. Hermann falls dead at the old Countess’ feet.