5 February 2011, Saturday, 11:30
Mariinsky Theatre
1 Theatre Square
Sponsor of the production 
Production supported by L´Association Française des Amis du Théâtre Mariinsky
World premiere: 30 December 1921, Auditorium, Chicago
Russian premiere: 18 February 1926, Leningrad State Academic Theatre
Premiere of this production: 14 March 2007, Mariinsky Theatre, St Petersburg
Running time: 2 hours 20 minutes
The performance has one intermval
SYNOPSIS
Tragedians, Comedians, Lyric
Poets and Empty-Heads are arguing over what performance they wish to
see today. Some insist on a tragedy, others want a comedy. The
Ridiculous People appear. They call for the audience to be silent and
they begin their narrative.
The King of Clubs
is in despair. His son the Crown Prince is dying of hypochondria. The
doctors declare the case hopeless, but the King recalls the miraculous
power of laughter. Pantaloon, the King´s confidant, calls Truffaldino
for help, and the King orders him to organise entertainments for the
court.
The fate of the Prince and the ambitious
Prime Minister Leandro is being played out in a game of cards. The
Wizard Celio, who is trying to restore peace and harmony to the world,
is playing against Fata Morgana, a ruthless and jealous witch who seeks
the Prince´s death and who is protecting Leandro and the King´s
scheming niece Clarissa.
Clarissa dreams of
ascending the throne and marrying Leandro. But to do this she must
first take care of the Prince, and Clarissa presents Leandro with an
ultimatum: "Give the Prince either opium or a bullet". The slave
Smeraldina overhears and tells Clarissa and Leandro that Fata Morgana
is on their side.
With immense effort
Truffaldino makes the Prince get out of his cosy bed and come to the
festivities organised specially for him.
The
performance is a disaster and the Prince falls into hopeless
despondency. But the unexpected appearance of Fata Morgana draws his
attention. She goes straight to the Prince, and Truffaldino, attempting
to stop her, trips her up. Fata Morgana falls down and her ungainly
pose makes the Prince laugh. The furious witch curses the Prince: he
will have no peace and will fall in love with three oranges.
Immediately the Prince is seized with the desire to depart and find the
oranges. Truffaldino is ready to go with him.
During
their quest to find Creonte´s castle and the three cherished oranges,
the Prince and Truffaldino find themselves in a desert. Farfarello,
disguised as the wind, blows them onwards, hastening them towards the
dangers that await them at Creonte´s castle. The Wizard Celio tries to
help him and frightens the Prince and Truffaldino with their
forthcoming trials. But the Prince is resolute. Celio then gives
Truffaldino a magic ribbon and warns that the oranges may be peeled
only when water is close by.
The Prince and
Truffaldino arrive at Creonte´s castle at last. Almost overcome with
fear, the wanderers enter Creonte´s kitchen. Their path is barred by a
terrifying cook. Truffaldino catches his attention with the magic
ribbon while the Prince steals the three oranges.
The
Prince and Truffaldino wander exhausted across the boiling desert – the
oranges have grown in size and weight. The Prince falls asleep and
Truffaldino decides to quench his thirst with orange juice. Instead of
juice, the orange reveals a Princess who begs for water. In despair and
wishing to save her, Truffaldino peels the second orange. But it
contains a second Princess who also wants water. Both Princesses die
before the distraught Truffaldino. Driven mad by his helplessness,
Truffaldino has but one option: to run away.
The
Prince awakes. He cannot wait to see what is hidden inside the last
orange. Yet another Princess appears. She declares her love for the
Prince and says that she awaits salvation. Like the other Princesses,
Ninetta begs for water. The Ridiculous People come to help: with them
they bring a pail of water. Ninetta is saved. The Prince heads for the
palace to inform the King of his impending marriage. Meanwhile
Smeraldina, using a magic pin given by Fata Morgana, turns the Princess
into a rat and takes Ninetta´s place.
The
Wizard Celio and Fata Morgana are in a heated quarrel about the fate of
our heroes. Once again the Ridiculous People come to the rescue. They
succeed in disposing of the witch. Now the Wizard Celio can rescue the
bride and groom.
In the throne room of the
royal palace all is ready for the Prince´s wedding. Suddenly the
courtiers notice a huge rat. Celio removes the curse and the rat turns
back into Princess Ninetta. Clarissa, Leandro and Smeraldina´s
treachery is exposed. The King orders the execution of the
conspirators. They attempt to flee and are aided by Fata Morgana, who
has taken refuge in the netherworld. The King and the courtiers honour
the delighted Prince and Princess as newlyweds.
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