Ballet
The Golden Age
This one has early Shostakovich at his jazzy, cheeky best, which is a treat. The original 1930 version flopped and basically disappeared, so Grigorovich rebuilt it from scratch in 1982 with a new story. The result is a stylish mix of Soviet drama and 1920s dance-hall flavor.
Fast facts
- Composer
- Dmitri Shostakovich
- Choreographer
- Yuri Grigorovich (1982) is the famous version; the original 1930 staging was by Vainonen, Yakobson and others
- Premiere
- 1930, Leningrad (original); Grigorovich version 1982, Moscow
- Structure
- Three acts
- Running time
- About 2 hours 15 minutes
The story
In Grigorovich's version, a young fisherman named Boris falls for Rita, a dancer caught up with a gang of criminals operating around a seedy cabaret called The Golden Age. The story pits honest Soviet youth against the decadent underworld, with plenty of romance and conflict along the way. Musically it leans into Shostakovich's playful jazz and foxtrot rhythms, giving the whole thing a swinging, slightly wicked edge.
What The Golden Age is famous for
- Shostakovich's jazzy early score
- Grigorovich's 1982 Bolshoi reinvention
- A 1920s cabaret and underworld setting
- The famous Tahiti Trot (Tea for Two) interlude
Companies that perform The Golden Age
The Golden Age is in the repertoire of companies including Bolshoi Ballet.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the 1930 ballet or a newer one?
The music is Shostakovich's from 1930, but the staging and story most people know is Yuri Grigorovich's 1982 reworking, which kept the score and built a fresh narrative.
What makes the music special?
It is early Shostakovich full of jazz, foxtrots, and wit, including his famous arrangement of Tea for Two known as the Tahiti Trot.
What is it about?
In the Grigorovich version it is a love story set against a clash between wholesome Soviet youth and a criminal underworld tied to a cabaret.
Who composed The Golden Age?
The Golden Age was composed by Dmitri Shostakovich.
How long is The Golden Age?
The Golden Age runs about 2 hours 15 minutes.