85. The Gods Go A-Begging 1928
(also called LES DIEUX MENDIANTS)
Pastoral
- Music
George Frederick Handel, arranged by Sir Thomas Beecham on commission from Serge Diaghilev (selections from the following compositions written between 1707 and 1739: Rodrigo; II Pastor Fido; Teseo; Admeto; Alcina [four numbers]; two of the Opus 6 concerti grossi, including the Hornpipe movement from No.7). Book by Sobeka [Boris Kochno]
- Choreography
George Balanchine
- Production
Scenery by Léon Bakst (backcloth from first part of Daphnis et Chloé [Fokine], 1912). Costumes (with two exceptions) by Juan Gris (from Les Tentations de la Bergère [Nijinska], 1924)
- Premiere
July 16, 1928, Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes, His Majesty’s Theatre, London. Conductor: Sir Thomas Beecham
- Cast
The Serving Maid and The Shepherd [divinities in disguise], Alexandra Danilova, Léon Woizikowsky; Two Ladies, Lubov Tchernicheva, Felia Doubrovska; A Nobleman, Constantin Tcherkas; 6 Ladies; 6 Noblemen; 4 Servants
Performance Type
Ballet
Note
In the spirit of a fête champêtre by Watteau or Lancret. A shepherd wanders in among noble guests at an elaborate picnic; two aristocratic ladies invite him to dance with them, but he chooses to dance with a serving-girl. When indignant noblemen begin to chastise him, the shepherd and the maid cast off their humble dress and reveal themselves to be divinities in disguise.
1934 Shepherd’s Wooing (BBC [London])
Additional production information in Macdonald, Diaghilev Observed, p. 364
