Adam Zero
Encyclopedia
Adam Zero is a ballet with music written by the British
composer Arthur Bliss
, in 1946.
, Bliss developed an interest in ballet, after seeing the Ballets Russes
of Sergei Diaghilev
in London. Bliss composed Adam Zero for the Sadler's Wells Ballet, in collaboration with Michael Benthall
and Robert Helpmann with whom he had seen success with Miracle in the Gorbals
. The first performance at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in London on 6 April 1946, was conducted by Constant Lambert
, and the premiere dancers included the following:
Bliss considered Adam Zero his "most varied and exciting ballet score; the music is instinctively theatrical and strongly characterized". The orchestra is augmented by cor anglais, saxophone, tuba, two standard percussionists and two dance band percussionists, plus celesta and harp.
The complete ballet runs for around 40 minutes.
Adam falls in love, marries and achieves power. But his triumph is brief; his world crumbles about him, he is stripped of his glory, and a new generation (Understudy) takes his place. He seeks distraction in dissipation but everyone deserts him and he is left alone to face Death.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
composer Arthur Bliss
Arthur Bliss
Sir Arthur Edward Drummond Bliss, CH, KCVO was an English composer and conductor.Bliss's musical training was cut short by the First World War, in which he served with distinction in the army...
, in 1946.
Background
After World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, Bliss developed an interest in ballet, after seeing the Ballets Russes
Ballets Russes
The Ballets Russes was an itinerant ballet company from Russia which performed between 1909 and 1929 in many countries. Directed by Sergei Diaghilev, it is regarded as the greatest ballet company of the 20th century. Many of its dancers originated from the Imperial Ballet of Saint Petersburg...
of Sergei Diaghilev
Sergei Diaghilev
Sergei Pavlovich Diaghilev , usually referred to outside of Russia as Serge, was a Russian art critic, patron, ballet impresario and founder of the Ballets Russes, from which many famous dancers and choreographers would arise.-Early life and career:...
in London. Bliss composed Adam Zero for the Sadler's Wells Ballet, in collaboration with Michael Benthall
Michael Benthall
Michael Pickersgill Benthall was an English theatre director.As an undergraduate at Oxford University, Michael Benthall met Robert Helpmann, who had been fulfilling an invitation to dance at there...
and Robert Helpmann with whom he had seen success with Miracle in the Gorbals
Miracle in the Gorbals
Miracle in the Gorbals is a one-act ballet choreographed by Robert Helpmann to a story by Michael Benthall, with music by Arthur Bliss. The setting is the 1940s slums in the Gorbals area of Glasgow...
. The first performance at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in London on 6 April 1946, was conducted by Constant Lambert
Constant Lambert
Leonard Constant Lambert was a British composer and conductor.-Early life:Lambert, the son of Russian-born Australian painter George Lambert, was educated at Christ's Hospital and the Royal College of Music...
, and the premiere dancers included the following:
- David Paltenghi (The Stage Director)
- June Brae (The Choreographer / The Ballerina)
- Robert HelpmannRobert HelpmannSir Robert Helpmann CBE was an Australian dancer, actor, theatre director and choreographer.-Early years:He was born Robert Murray Helpman in Mount Gambier, South Australia and also boarded at Prince Alfred College in Adelaide. From childhood, Helpman had a strong desire to be a dancer...
(Adam Zero) - Jean Bedells (The Designer)
- Julia Farron (The Wardrobe Mistress)
- Gillian LynneGillian LynneGillian Barbara Lynne , CBE, born , is a British ballerina, dancer, actor, theatre director, television director and choreographer noted for her popular theatre choreography associated with the iconic musicals Cats and the current longest running show in Broadway history, The Phantom of the Opera.-...
(The Daughter) - Palma Nye (The Dresser)
- Leslie EdwardsLeslie EdwardsLeslie Edwards was a British ballet dancer and ballet master. He was one of the final links with Ninette de Valois's original pre-war Vic-Wells Ballet...
(The Mime)
Bliss considered Adam Zero his "most varied and exciting ballet score; the music is instinctively theatrical and strongly characterized". The orchestra is augmented by cor anglais, saxophone, tuba, two standard percussionists and two dance band percussionists, plus celesta and harp.
Sections
- Fanfare Overture: Allegro Molto
- The Stage: Andante sostenuto
- Birth of Adam: Molto sostenuto
- Adam’s Fates: Allegro moderato
- Dance of Spring: Allegro spirito
- Awakening of Love: Andante grazioso
- Bridal Ceremony: Moderato ma tranquillo
- Adam Achieves Power: Allegro spiritoso
- Re-entry of Adam’s Fates: Allegro moderato
- Dance of Summer: Allegro maestoso
- Approach of Autumn: Larghetto
- Night Club Scene: Moderato
- Destruction of Adam’s World: Allegro molto
- Approach of Winter: Andantino
- Dance with Death: Largo maestoso
- Finale – the stage is reset for the next life-cycle: Allegro moderato
The complete ballet runs for around 40 minutes.
Synopsis
The ballet is an allegory of the cycle of man’s life; the world in which he lives is represented by a stage on which a ballet is being created: Adam is cast as the principal dancer, Omnipotence is represented by the Stage Director and Adam’s Fates by the Designer, Wardrobe Mistress and Dresser.Adam falls in love, marries and achieves power. But his triumph is brief; his world crumbles about him, he is stripped of his glory, and a new generation (Understudy) takes his place. He seeks distraction in dissipation but everyone deserts him and he is left alone to face Death.
Recordings
- Naxos 8.553460: English Northern Philharmonia; David Lloyd-JonesDavid Lloyd-JonesDavid Matthias Lloyd-Jones is a British conductor who has specialised in British and Russian music. He is also an editor and translator, especially of Russian operas.- Biography :...
, conductor (complete ballet). 1995.