Ballet
Pulcinella
This is the one where Stravinsky looked backward instead of forward, reworking old eighteenth-century tunes into something fresh. Add sets and costumes by Picasso and a plot straight out of Italian commedia dell'arte, and you have a genuinely fun package. It is often credited as the piece that kicked off Stravinsky's whole neoclassical streak.
Fast facts
- Composer
- Igor Stravinsky
- Choreographer
- Leonide Massine
- Premiere
- 1920, Ballets Russes, Paris Opera
- Structure
- One act
- Running time
- approx 35 minutes
The story
Drawn from Italian commedia dell'arte, the ballet follows the popular trickster Pulcinella, who is loved by all the local girls, which makes their jealous suitors want him dead. Through a series of disguises, fake deaths, and switched identities, Pulcinella outwits everyone and the couples all pair off happily by the end. The whole thing is light, comic, and full of mischief.
What Pulcinella is famous for
- Launching Stravinsky's neoclassical period
- Set and costume designs by Pablo Picasso
- Music reworked from older eighteenth-century sources
- Its commedia dell'arte comedy
Companies that perform Pulcinella
Pulcinella is in the repertoire of companies including New York City Ballet.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Pulcinella important?
It is widely seen as the work that launched Stravinsky's neoclassical period, in which he reworked older musical styles with a modern voice.
Who designed the original production?
Pablo Picasso created the sets and costumes for the 1920 Ballets Russes premiere.
What is the story?
A commedia dell'arte comedy about the trickster Pulcinella, who uses disguises and fake deaths to outwit his rivals and win the day.
Who composed Pulcinella?
Pulcinella was composed by Igor Stravinsky.
How long is Pulcinella?
Pulcinella runs approx 35 minutes.