The iconic ballet of Cinderella is one of the most beloved ballets in the world. It tells the classic fairytale of a young girl, Cinderella, who is mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters only to be saved by her fairy godmother and go on to marry a prince. The ballet has been performed for hundreds of years and is popular with both adults and children alike.
Many people believe that Cinderella Ballet is a classic Russian production, but this is only partially true. While many aspects of the production are traditionally Russian, such as the music, costumes, and sets, the original story which was adapted into a ballet was not written by a Russian author. In fact, it was written by French author Charles Perrault in 1697!
The first performance of the ballet was actually staged in Saint Petersburg in 1810. It was choreographed by Marius Petipa, a French dancer who had moved to Russia following the Revolution. He used music composed by French composer Jean-Baptiste Lully and it was performed at the Imperial Bolshoi Kamenny Theatre.
Since then, many versions of Cinderella Ballet have been staged around the world. The choreography has changed over time while still staying true to Perrault’s original story with some minor tweaks here and there. Different countries have produced their own versions as well with unique costumes and sets which reflect their culture.
So while many elements of Cinderella Ballet are traditionally Russian such as its original stage debut, it does not mean that it originated from there or that other countries are not able to produce their own version of it.
In conclusion, Is Cinderella Ballet Russian? While certain aspects can be traced back to Russia due to its first stage debut there in 1810, ultimately we cannot say that it belongs solely to Russia as its story originates from France and can be adapted into different versions depending on whatever country produces it!