The Talisman (ballet)

The Talisman (a.k.a. Le Talisman or Il Talismano) - Fantastic ballet in 4 Acts-7 Scenes, with choreography by Marius Petipa, and music by Riccardo Drigo. Libretto by Konstantin Augustovich Tarnovsky and Marius Petipa. It was premièred on February 6 [O.S. January 25] 1889 at the Imperial Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia This ballet gave rise to the so-called Talisman Pas de Deux, which is today danced by many ballet companies.

In 1955 the Balletmaster Pyotr Gusev of the Kirov/Mariinsky Ballet (the former Imperial Ballet) compiled various pieces of music from Petipa's The Talisman and created what is known today as The Talisman Pas de Deux, which in recent times has been included in the repertory of many ballet companies around the world.

The Talsiman Pas de Deux includes music from another composer as well – the male variation was taken by Gusev from Cesare Pugni's score for Petipa's The Pharaoh's Daughter, which is still included in the Pas de Deux today.

Prologue — In the clouds

The gods and spirits descend to meet the Goddess Amravati, Queen of the heavens (Valse des esprits). She is in despair, and is asked why. She replies "It is today, in accordance with my immortal husband's wishes, that my daughter, the goddess Niriti, must descend to earth, and perhaps may never return."

Music heralds the entrance of Niriti (Entrée de Niriti). She runs to embrace her mother, and is then informed that the time has come for her to visit the earth. "But why must I visit the earth?" Niriti asks. "To test your heart against the temptations of earthly love," replies Amravati, "and should you fail, you will forfeit your right to immortality." "Must I go alone?" asks Niriti. "No," replies the goddess; "I have chosen a fine companion for you."

Vayou, the god of the wind, flies overhead, bringing a storm in his wake (Le vent de Vayou). He bows to the Queen and begs pardon for his tardiness; "A group of mortals dared to attempt to learn the secrets of the poles," he says, "for which I was forced to sink their ships."

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