The courageous rescuer of the fairy town, cheerful boy Cipollino by name (cipollino in Italian means “onion”) caused many happy feelings to his “parents”. The Italian writer Gianni Rodari, the creator of the character, tried to win public recognition for a long time without success. However, the genres he worked in were not treated seriously on the part of critics. It became a greater surprise for Italians when in 1970 their compatriot won Hans Christian Andersen International prize. The cause of that happy occurrence was that his fairy tales were published in millions of copies. The first place was taken by such tales as “Cipollino’s Adventures”, “The Voyage of the Blue Arrow”, “and Gielsomino in the Country of Liars”. Rodari’s stories evoked a special response in the Soviet Union. There he obtained recognition and fame that he was deprived of in his native country.
At the beginning of the 60-ies the story of the courageous Cipollino attracted attention of Soviet animators. Karen Khachaturian, a composer of Moscow School, was invited to create music to the cartoon film. His father Suren Khachaturian was the art director of the MAAT (Moscow Art Academic Theatre) first studio; his uncle was Aram Khachaturian, the author of famous ballets “Spartacus” and “Gayane”. Karen had already had much experience in the sphere of composing music to films. His music themes were performed in the cartoon films such as “When New Year trees are lighted up”, “Magic Treasure”, “The Brave Man’s Heart”, “Yellow Stork”, “Norwegian Little Shepherd” and “Unusual Match”. According to the composer’s words the fairy tale charmed him so much that the main characters stirred his imagination even when the film was released in 1961.
Music to the dramas and more than 40 films is only one of the sides of Karen Khachaturian’s talent. He is the author of two national anthems of African republics – Zanzibar and Somali. He was a pupil of Shebalin, Shostakovich and Myaskovsky, and though he did not create many pieces in classical genre there are several genuine masterpieces such as Sonata for violin and piano, String quartet, Second Symphony, Sonata for cello and piano. This rank can be continued with two ballets “Cipollino” (1974) and “Snow White”. “I could not forget cheerful Cipollino, tender Red Radish, noble Little Cherry, malicious and clamorous Lemon… – confessed the composer. – Moreover, now, for some reason I can visualize every character dancing. That was how the idea of the ballet was born. Music to a short cartoon film is one thing and it's quite another matter to create music to a full ballet. In a film narration helps music; in a ballet music must speak by itself”. Khachaturian took the musical characteristics of the cartoon film as the basis and created sincere and charming music of a three act ballet.
Since its first night the ballet was doomed to a brilliant lot. At first in Kiev, then in Ashkhabad and at last on the stage of the Kremlin Palace of Congress the performances of “Cipollino” got passionate response of the audience of various social status and age. Its world first night (production and choreography of Heinrich Mayorov) on the stage of Kiev theatre named after Taras Shevchenko won a State Prize. It was Mayorov (now he works a chief choreographer in Children’s Musical Natalia Sats’ Theatre) with whose assistance the ballet was staged in the Bolshoi Theatre; ever since the ballet is performed under the leadership of Alexander Kopylov. The ballet dancers of the Bolshoi call “Cipollino” “Spartacus for children” for its virtuosity of choreography. Very soon the ballet became the centerpiece of other Russian theatres. The zest of production of “Cipollino” in Natalia Sats’ Theatre is the introduction of actors’ singing into dancing. Such synthesis has become possible due to melodious and rhythmically simple musical motifs of Khachaturian’s music.Act I
Scene 1
In a small fantastic town there live different vegetables and fruit. The central town square is full of buzzing people. Friends and acquaintances meet here, both the whole families and some single people are strolling here. The head of the Onion family Chipollone tries to pull his restless son Cipollino up. Master Little Grape is polishing shoes. Godfather Pumpkin is laying the bricks of the basement of his little house. Professor Pear is playing the violin and everybody is dancing merrily.
Suddenly Signore Tomato rushes in and announces Prince Lemon’s approaching. The prince who appears right away declares a new order: since now and for ever every citizen must pay for the sun shining, the wind blowing and any other kind of weather whatever. People are indignant; Cipollino shares this indignation – in the crowd he accidentally steps on Prince Lemon’s foot. Lemon starts crying, the guards try to seize Cipollino – he is a rebel! However, Cipollino disappears. The guards arrest Chipollone, Cipollino’s father who takes the blame upon himself.
Scene 2
Everybody is embarrassed and depressed. Godfather Pumpkin tries to continue to build his house and all people help him. They manage to complete building the house but Signore Tomato who appears again orders the guards of Prince Lemon to destroy the little hut - it is against the law as this land belongs to Countesses Cherries. Tomato squeezes Cipollino who tries to defend Pumpkin’s house; the latter bursts into tears. The guards take the blind with tears Tomato away. However, Pumpkin’s house is destroyed. His friends try to comfort the old man and Cipollino promises to revenge upon the offenders.
ACT II
Scene 3
The young Count Cherry feels sad and lonely in the huge cold castle. He is impatiently looking forward to meeting his friends. At last the lesson of dancing is over and Cipollino and Little Red Radish appear. Little Cherry shows them the castle. At last Cipollino learns that his father is imprisoned in the dungeon of the castle and finds out its location.
Scene 4
The ball in Prince Lemon’s honour is arranged in the Countesses Cherries’ castle. The guests are making merry while Cipollino and his friends are releasing old Chipollone.
ACT III
Scene 5
Little Lemons, the guards are searching for the fugitives. Cipollino manages to find a hiding place for his father and Red Radish but he is caught by the guards and thrown into the dungeon.
Scene 6
True friends Little Cherry and Magnolia's find Cipollino in the dungeon. Owing to Magnolia’s intoxicating odour the sentinels fall asleep. The conspirators find the key to the dungeon and release Cipollino from the cell.
Scene 7
The enraged Lemon orders to shoot at the town in revenge. However, Cipollino and his friends push Prince Lemon into the cannon barrel and – bang! When the smoke lifts there is neither Prince Lemon, nor the cannon. The guards have vanished into thin air too. There are only cans with lemon juice in their place.
People are rejoicing and smiling happily. The inspired citizens decide to restore Godfather Pumpkin’s house.
