Entusiastic "Nureyev's Dog" Performs at Folk Opera
A Raucous Debut: The Quirky Family Show "Nureyev's Canine Companion" by Peter te Nuyl and Keren Kagarlitsky - Based on Elke Heidenreich's Novella
Rudolf Nureyev, the legendary ballet virtuoso, still casts a spell over audiences, even decades after his demise. In "Nureyev's K9 Confidant," his Rottweiler takes center stage, assuming Nureyev's role in a whimsical, heartwarming exploration of the ballet world, bereavement, and camaraderie, backed by a diverse musical lineup and an abundance of dance moves. Teamed up with Peter te Nuyl and Keren Kagarlitsky, the family show got its rip-roaring premiere at the Vienna Volksoper, drawing thunderous applause on Sunday.
Nureyev's furry friend, born in the erstwhile Soviet Union and later escaping to fame and choreography (1938-1993), became Marika Besobrasova's property after Nureyev's death and Austrian citizenship in 1982. Close confidant of Nureyev, Besobrasova even made her students bow to the dog on occasion.
The Canine Chronicles Commence
Enter Elke Heidenreich's 1999 novella, "Nureyev's Dog: What Pangs of Longing Evoke." This novella serves as the blueprint for Florian Hurler, a student of Besobrasova's ballet school in Monte Carlo and acquaintance of Nureyev's dog, who has now brought the story to life with spark and flair, based on te Nuyl and Nastasja Fischer's stage adaptation.
The show unfolds with Solor, the dog, displaying his uncanny intelligence as the lead character, while the human actors portray supporting roles. The hour-and-a-half-long production opens with the dapper Solor, played by actor Florian Carove, staring down a lavish crowd of frivolous guests at a Truman Capote-style New York gathering, including a pair of sassy drag queens.
Intricate Themes, Dynamic Musical Medley
As the story progresses, the setting shifts from New York to Paris, where Nureyev (Sebastian Wendelin) trains in a ballet studio under "the strictest ballerina around" (soprano Ursula Pfitzner). Students, initially scared witless by Nureyev's ailing and coughing presence, perform lifts, jumps, and pirouettes even under his combative gaze. The narrative then chronicles Nureyev's departure, followed by the tentative alliance between Solor and Marika, culminating in a peaceful resolution.
The relationship between Nureyev, struggling against illness, homesickness, and longing for his mother, and his devoted dog, Solor, keeps panting to life, providing the most poignant and heart-tugging moments of the production. Meanwhile, Solor playfully lifts his paw at the piano, romps through the park in his brown attire, makes a show of growling and drooling. It is Solor's inner musings that hint at themes of bondage, freedom, and empathy reverberating throughout the show.
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The music carefully concocted by Kagarlitsky, consisting of ballet music by Jacques Offenbach, George Gershwin's "An American in Paris," opera arias, Russian lullabies, and Tatar folk tunes, deftly upholds the piece. The Music Director of the Volksoper also contributed with her renditions, like an orchestral accompaniment to Nureyev's monologue just before his passing [2].
Endearing Canine Saga
As the story draws to a close, it becomes clear: Even the heaviest hound can have balletic grace while trotting and spinning, and the search for personal meaning should never take a rain check. It remains unknown: Who is the enigmatic girl who frequently stands by Solor's side, only perceptible to him? What would Nureyev's real dog have thought of the show? As Solor remarks, "All pet tales are truly about humans, not animals." That's the beauty of it all. Especially this time: A bow!
P.S. If you're enthusiastic about the tales of reincarnated four-legged friends, check out "Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai" [3] for another intriguing account.
References:
[1] https://www.spiegel.de/kultur/literatur/nurejews-hund-eine-novelle-zu-tierthemen-a-668668.html
[2] https://www.volksoper.at/homecoming-of-the-nureyev-dog.html
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_Dog:_The_Way_of_the_Samurai
In the realm of pop-culture, the endearing canine saga of Nureyev's loyal companion has captured the attention of audiences on social media, igniting discussions about the unsung bonds shared between humans and animals. The timeless novel, "Nureyev's Dog: What Pangs of Longing Evoke," penned by Elke Heidenreich, has found a contemporary resonance in the loss and camaraderie portrayed through books and entertainment.
