Synopsis

In a colossal subterranean grotto, the White Pearl, the most precious pearl on Earth, resides with her sister pearls of differing colours. The Genie of the Earth descends to the ocean floor in an attempt to abduct the White Pearl as an adornment for his crown. The King of the Corals comes to the White Pearl’s aid by causing a great battle between the elements of the Earth and the elements of the Sea. The Genie of the Earth succeeds in capturing the White Pearl and the King of the Corals thereupon orders all of the ocean denizens to salute the Genie of the Earth side by side with the White Pearl. In an apotheosis, the triumph of Amphitrite and Poseidon is depicted.

 

Résumé of scenes and dances

Taken from the program for the coronation gala of 1896 and from Riccardo Drigo’s memoirs.

• № 01 Fanfare et introduction, Danse des perles
• № 02 Scène dansante
• № 03 Combat des coraux et métaux

interpolation: “La Perle jaune” pas de deux for Matilda Kschessinskaya and Nikolai Legat —

—a. Andante
—b. Variation I
—c. Variation II
—d. Coda

• № 04 Grand pas d’ensemble —

—a. Entrée
—b. Grand adage
—c. Ballabile
—d. Danse des Perles roses (Mlles. Giuri et Roslavleva)
—e. Pizzicato des Perles noires (Mlles. Johansson et Kulichevskaya)
—f. Variation
—g. Variation
—h. Variation du Génie de la terre (Mons. Gerdt)
—i. Berceuse de la Perle blanche (Mlle. Legnani)
—j. Grande valse brilliante

• № 05 Danse pyrrhique des armées du Roi corail, du Génie de la terre, et des perles
• № 06 Apothéose: La triomphe d’Amphitrite et de Poséidon

 

Sources

• Levenson, A.A. (1896) Imperial Coronation Program for the Gala Presentation at the Imperial Bolshoi Theater in Moscow 17 May 1896 on the occasion of the Holy Coronation of His Imperial Majesty the Sovereign Emperor Nikolai Aleksandrovich and Her Imperial Majesty the Sovereign Empress Aleksandra Feodorovna.
• Travaglia, Silvio (1929) Riccardo Drigo, l’uomo e l’artista. Guglielmo Zanibon