THE CRANE SONG

THE CRANE SONG, a three act ballet by L.B.Stepanov and Z.G.Ismagilov based on the namesake Bashkir folk legend. The first Bashkir ballet. It was written in 1941 and premiered in 1944 in the Bashkir State Theatre of Opera and Ballet (written by F.A.Gaskarov, guided by N.A.Anisimova, conductor – Kh.V.Fazlullin, scene designer – G.Sh.Imasheva). In the main roles: Z.A.Nas- retdinova (Zaytungul), Kh.G.Safiullin (Yumagul), Gaskarov (Arslanbay), N.D.Yultyeva (the leader of the cranes). At the heart of the plot is the legend of love of young man and woman, who are helped to overcome cruelty by local tribesmen and benevolent natural forces in the guise of cranes. The main expressive means of the

performance is the organic combination of classic and Bashkir folk dance, enriched with elements of pantomime, rituals and folk games. There are widely used folk scenes in alternation with lyrical duets and dancing soloists.

The Premiere of the 2nd rendition took place in 1953, 3rd – in 1977, 4th – in 1997, 5th — in 2017. In 1959, a film was made at the Sverdlovsk Film Studio (written by Gaskarov and A.G.Bikchentaev, directed by O.P.Nikolaevsky, ballet director – Anisimova).