Ballet
The Bright Stream
Here is a rare thing, a genuinely funny Shostakovich ballet set on a collective farm. The original got its creators in serious political trouble back in the 1930s, which is a whole story in itself. Then Ratmansky revived it in 2003 and reminded everyone how charming and silly it actually is.
Fast facts
- Composer
- Dmitri Shostakovich
- Choreographer
- Originally Fyodor Lopukhov (1935); famous revival by Alexei Ratmansky for the Bolshoi in 2003
- Premiere
- 1935, Leningrad
- Structure
- Three acts
- Running time
- About 2 hours
The story
A troupe of visiting performers arrives at a collective farm and a tangle of flirtations, disguises, and mistaken identities kicks off among the farmworkers and dancers. There is a lot of cross-dressing comedy, a wobbly marriage that gets set right, and plenty of lighthearted romantic mix-ups. It is pure comic entertainment, less about plot mechanics and more about fun, warmth, and showing off.
What The Bright Stream is famous for
- A comedic Shostakovich score
- Its troubled Soviet-era history
- Ratmansky's acclaimed 2003 revival
- Playful cross-dressing and disguise gags
Companies that perform The Bright Stream
The Bright Stream is in the repertoire of companies including Bolshoi Ballet.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the original controversial?
It was attacked in the Soviet press in 1936 for being too frivolous and not realistic enough, which hurt the careers of its creators including Shostakovich.
Is it actually a comedy?
Yes, genuinely. It is built around disguises, flirtations, and gentle farce, which makes it stand out among the heavier Soviet ballets.
Which version do people see now?
Almost always Alexei Ratmansky's 2003 Bolshoi staging, which revived the piece and became a modern favorite.
Who composed The Bright Stream?
The Bright Stream was composed by Dmitri Shostakovich.
How long is The Bright Stream?
The Bright Stream runs about 2 hours.