{"id":23,"date":"2014-11-08T18:58:00","date_gmt":"2014-11-08T18:58:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wyvern.ctl.columbia.edu\/?p=23"},"modified":"2021-07-28T10:09:24","modified_gmt":"2021-07-28T10:09:24","slug":"dybbuk-ballet-1974","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jewishstudiescolumbia.com\/myny\/arts\/dybbuk-ballet-1974\/","title":{"rendered":"The Dybbuk Ballet 1974"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Jacqueline Gurevich<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

The Dybbuk, <\/em>a play written by S. An-sky, is one of the most renowned Yiddish plays, which has been greatly celebrated and adapted into countless productions throughout the years. The Dybukk, <\/em>at its most basic level is about a love story between Chonnen and Leah, a young woman who is betrothed to another man. Struck by heartbreak Chonnen tragically dies. Right before Leah\u2019s intended nuptials, Chonnen\u2019s soul possesses Leah as a dybbuk. Unwilling to live without Chonnen, Leah sacrifices herself and joins Chonnen in death.\u00a0Despite its relatively simplistic plot, The Dybbuk<\/em>\u00a0is about so much more than a simple love story. Through his play, S. An-sky, was able to beautifully present an ethnography of Jewish life in early Eastern Europe and more importantly to capture the Yiddish spirit that has inspired so many artistic talents.\u00a0 One such artistic talent was Jerome Robbins, an American theater producer, director, and dance choreographer.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Figure 1. Jerome Robbins.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Robbins originally Rabinowitz, the son of Eastern European immigrants, began his career in dance learning Ballet at the New Dance League.<\/span>1<\/sup><\/a><\/span>\u00a0He got his start on Broadway, performing in several Broadway shows. Robbins eventually shifted from theater to Ballet, choreographing many productions for New York City Ballet, Ballet U.S.A., American Ballet Theatre, and other international companies. His first chorographical attempt was Fancy Free<\/em>, a ballet performed at the Metropolitan Opera. It was on this set that he met Leonard Bernstein and formed a partnership that would lead to much collaboration.<\/p>\n

Leonard Bernstein, also the son of Eastern European immigrants, is a famous composer most known for his composition of West Side Story<\/em>.<\/span>2<\/sup><\/a><\/span>\u00a0In 1958, Robbins reportedly sent a letter to Bernstein stating, \u201cI\u2019m sending over an unseen but continually haunting prodder who will creep into your sleep and into your spare moments and will say the words Dybbuk, Dybbuk, Dybbuk. With this ghost\u2019s effort, I know that suddenly something will be on paper that will get us all started.”<\/span>3<\/sup><\/a><\/span>\u00a0With this letter, Robbins set in motion the idea of adapting S. An-sky\u2019s play into a ballet. And in 1974 in collaboration with Leonard Bernstein, The Dybbuk<\/em>, premiered at the New York City Ballet<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Figure 2. The Dybbuk<\/em>\u00a01974 Complete Ballet record cover.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Robbins has often been quoted saying he never intended to merely recreate An-sky\u2019s play, but rather transcend the ideas of mysticism and tradition to modern day and in ballet form. He is quoted saying, \u201c[I see this ballet] as a point of departure for a series of related dances concerning rituals and hallucinations which are present in the dark magico-religious ambiance of the play and in the obsessions of its characters.\u201d<\/span>4<\/sup><\/a><\/span>\u00a0Similarly, Leonard Bernstein sought to add a spiritual tone to his composition. He derived his composition by using \u201ca mathematical sequence, based on the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet, with 18s and 36s within the octave range,\u201d<\/span>5<\/sup><\/a><\/span>\u00a0adding a Kabbalistic element to his score.<\/p>\n