Bolshoi Confidential: Secrets of the Russian Ballet--From the Rule of the Tsars to Today

by Simon Morrison Narrated by Paul Boehmer

Overview

On January 17, 2013, a hooded assailant hurled acid into the face of the artistic director of the Bolshoi Ballet, making international headlines. A lead soloist, enraged by institutional power struggles, later confessed to masterminding the crime. The scandal, though shocking, is not an anomaly in the turbulent and tormented yet magnificent history of the Bolshoi. Renowned music historian Simon Morrison reveals the ballet as a crucible of art and politics, beginning with the disreputable inception of the theater in 1776 and proceeding through the era of imperial rule, the chaos of revolution, the oppressive Soviet years, and the recent $680 million renovation project. Drawing on exclusive archival research, Morrison creates a richly detailed tableau of the centuries-long war between world-class art and life-threatening politics that has defined this storied institution. As Morrison makes clear, as Russia goes, so goes the Bolshoi Ballet.

Editorial Reviews

DECEMBER 2016 - AudioFile

Paul Boehmer somewhat unevenly narrates this detailed history of the most famous theater and theater troupe in Russia. Morrison’s work details the human stories both on and off-stage in the nearly three centuries of the Bolshoi’s history. Listeners learn of conductors, composers, and dancers, prominent in their day but faded from modern memory, who made the Bolshoi so renowned. Intrigue and drama off-stage are even more incredible than the lavish spectacles that wowed audiences for generations. Boehmer has a very clear voice, and he enunciates well, but his earnest delivery can sometimes go from staccato to choppy. He is able to affect accents, but some of his Russian pronunciation may grate on those familiar with the language. M.T.F. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940171389888
Publisher:	HighBridge Company
Publication date:	10/11/2016
Edition description:	Unabridged

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