CLASSIQUE - Variation n°4 - Épreuves de danse 2025

Historical context

The Pharaoh’s Daughter is a ballet in 3 acts by Marius Petipa, with music by Cesare Pugni and libretto by Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges, based on Le Roman de la momie by Théophile Gautier. Premiered on 18 January 1862 at the Bolshoi Kamenny Imperial Theatre in St Petersburg, it was Petipa’s first major spectacular ballet. It was Petipa’s last role as a dancer, and he was to become ballet master and choreographer for good.

From its very first performances, The Pharaoh’s Daughter, created in the space of five weeks, was a huge success. It was a grandiose, magical spectacle that had no equivalent in nineteenth-century imperial ballet in Petersburg. Everything contributed to making it an extraordinary experience: the sumptuous, large-scale, meticulously painted sets (designed by A. Roller), the colourful Egyptian-style costumes, the large number of ensemble dances and solos, and a first-rate cast – the lead role was danced by Carolina Rozati, her partner was Marius Petipa himself, while Lev Ivanov appeared in the role of the fisherman.

When he set about recreating The Pharaoh’s Daughter for the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow in 2000, Pierre Lacotte revised the libretto and music and designed the sets and costumes. 

In 2024, Pierre Lacotte’s La Fille du Pharaon is still in the repertoire of the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow and remains a great success with audiences.

Recommendations 

The Congo variation has a joyful connotation. It requires a great deal of precision and legibility in the steps.

You should : 

– Anticipate the chassés on the turn of the first diagonal to ensure musicality. 

– Respect the time at the bottom of this first diagonal.

– Precisely mark the little beat on the instep in front and behind.

– Start by working the manège in diagonal and take care of the ballonné in the second. 

– Respect the musicality of the manège.