Les Biches

Les Biches ( German: The hinds ) is the title of a one-act ballets and a dance suite by Francis Poulenc from 1923 that brought the recognition of the music world for the composer. Was commissioned the work of Serge Diaghilev 's Ballets Russes for. The original choreography was by Bronislava Nijinska, sets and costumes by Marie Laurencin. The work was premiered on January 6, 1924 at the Casino of Monte Carlo, conducted by Edouard Flament. In Paris it was from 26 May of the year at the Théâtre des Champs- Élysées on the game board.

Scenery and Music

The scenery is a salon of the 1920s, in which about 20 persons glamorous, young women, smoking, and three athletic young men flirt, flirt, have fun and dance. In the center of the stage there is a large blue sofa that is used in many ways. The background is white. The facade of these people is superficial enjoyment, but hide behind the sophistication to darker thoughts and intrigue.

Poulenc's music was influenced by the Surrealists in the 1920s that the dreamlike and unreal represented in literature and art. The strange title for the ballet Les biches can be applied to the paintings of young women who Antoine Watteau in the Parc aux Biches of King Louis XV. painted, lead back, the title should be Poulenc occurred in the taxi. Poulenc was one of the Groupe des Six that stood against the modern German music direction of Arnold Schoenberg and Ferruccio Busoni a neoclassicism. Accordingly, his music is in Les Biches full of references to traditional music of the 19th century, but also on jazz and dance music. 1939 Poulenc wrote a new orchestration for his ballet suite, where it is still performed by many artists. The work belongs, among others, the repertoire of the New York City Ballet and the Bavarian State Opera in Munich.

Pictures

Les Biches consists of an overture and five images whose actions are partially narrated by a chorus: