Julius Reisinger

Vaclav (Wentsel), or Jules or Julius Wentsel Reisinger (1828 – 1892) is paradoxical figure in the history of ballet. This prolific choreographer, author of more than twenty works on various European stages, directed the Moscow company of the Bolshoi Theatre. He is linked with two memorable events: the first stage production of Tchaikovsky's ballet "Swan Lake" and the production of the first ballet performance for the opening of the Prague National Theatre in 1884. His work on "Swan Lake" was considered unsuccessful by the critics of the day but not necessarily unsuccessful by the theatre-going public-- after all, Reisinger's original production of "Swan Lake" was kept in the active repertoire of the Bolshoi Theatre for seven years and was performed over thirty times during a period when other ballets could not sustain even twenty performances! In fact, the production was not pulled until the scenery and costumes were worn and threadbare. Much of its popularity was assumably due to its beautiful musical score which was critically acclaimed even though the choreography was not.

Reisinger was born in February 1828 in Prague of a native Czech family. He began his professional life as a dancer in the corps de ballet, rising to the position of leading soloist. In 1850, he was the Czech partner of the famous dancer Lucille Grahn in "Esmeralda" (as Phoebus) and "Giselle" (as Hilarion). He also had success in the part of Diavolino in Jules Perrot's ballet "Catarina, ou La Fille du Bandit". In short, the young dancer mastered the romantic repertoire and was familiar with the new ballet productions, one more fact in favour of Reisinger's erudition.

In 1852, he succeeded in securing an eight-year engagement on the German and Austrian stages. In 1860 he returned to his native Prague to the Nove Mesto Theatre, already in the position of choreographer. This was the first time a Czech theatre was actually headed by Czech choreographer.

Misconceptions

It is commonly thought that none of Reisinger's ballets was successful but facts contradict this. Why then was such a choreographer invited to brilliant Leipzig where he directed the ballet company from 1864 to 1872? Large-scale works were presented there, such as "Saltarello" and "Interrupted Solitude" to the music of the Leipzig kapellmeister, Muhldorfer. And from Leipzig, Reisinger was invited to Russia.

Indications of Reisinger's Moscow endeavors are readily found in the writings of several Russian historians, the first one being a staging of the five-act ballet "The Crystal Slipper" (1871, a ballet of the "Cinderella" story) to Muhldorfer's music, which Yuri Bakhrushin referring to original sources, notes as quite successful. In 1873, finding himself in the post of Director of the Moscow Ballet, he created successive multiple-act productions such as "Kastchei", where as confirmed again by Yuri Bakhrushin, the choreographer successfully developed the Russian theme. He also produced "Stella" and "Ariadne" (in tandem with Imperial Balletmaster Marius Petipa). All ballets (except "Kastchei", which he staged with the two composers Muhldorfer and Gerber) used the music of Gerber. At the same time, in the last two ("Stella" and "Ariadne"), Reisinger reworked elements of ancient art according to the dictates of Biedermeier. Added to that, in the production of "Ariadne", the Theatre Directorate allotted what was (for that time), the very large sum of 40,000 roubles. This not only suggests the confidence they had invested in Reisinger, but also confirms that in his first two years in Russia he had clearly won the authority of the Imperial Theatre Directorate. It was with this artistic background that the choreographer approached the first production of "Swan Lake".

Questions Remain

Though today Reisinger is considered the father of Czech professional ballet, criticisms regarding his choreography (such as "mediocre," "ordinary," and "untalented") have followed him, even after his death. His critics did not endow him with the usual praise in his own country or in Russia, but this did not prevent him from having a very long balletic career. With this in mind, one must ask oneself: was this choreographer truly untalented? Is it possible that in Prague, Moscow, Leipzig and Berlin his ascent to the top was merely the result of a long-patient public and theatre administration? Though good timing undoubtedly played some part in his career, it is possibly unrealistic to form the conclusion that this was the only factor in his solid rise to the forefront of the most respected theatres of the time.