The Legend of the Rusalka
In a small village in Ukraine, village girls prepare for the
Green Holiday, decorating houses with trees and herbs, to ward off the
water spirits, the rusalky. As the girls decorate, women warn them of
the dangerous rusalky. The boys tease them for their superstitious
nature. To make amends, the boys invite the girls to dance. After they
dance, they ride off in a wagon. Unfortunately, the wagon is full and
one girl, Khrystia, falls from it. The others depart, unaware of
Khrystia's absence.
Lileya, a rusalka, emerges from the lakeshore and sees the
fallen Khrystia. The rusalka is young, interested and curious. She and
other rusalky begin to dance with Khrystia. The frenzy culminates around
Khrystia, who is quickly encircled. The sprites begin to rob Khrystia
of her ribbons, vinok, and apron. The young rusalka dresses in
Khrystia's beautiful clothes.
The girls and boys return from their wagon ride and begin to
dance. One boy, Andrij, is without a partner; fellow villagers give him a
rusalka-scarecrow to dance with. The villagers taunt and mock him,
leaving him alone, sad and frustrated. Lileya watches Andrij from a
distance and becomes enchanted by him. She surprises him and they join
in a mystical duet.
In the midst of this beautiful dance, the rusalky return with
Khrystia, preparing to drown her, covering her in leaves and grasses.
Lileya and Andrij rescue Khrystia and Lileya is pulled back with the
rusalky. Khrystia is unconscious on the lakeshore and Lileya has
disappeared. Andrij searches for his love. Distraught, he collapses with
grief.
Rusalky emerge from the river and surround Andrij. At first,
Andrij is mystified by the rusalky, but he quickly realizes how
dangerous they are. He sees Lileya and she comes to his rescue before
the rusalky can tickle him to death. Concerned for both Andrij and
Khrystia, Lileya tries to save them by showing them that Khrystia is
fleeing. The rusalky attempt to catch Khrystia, but because of Lileya’s
helpful ruse, she is able to escape their trap.
Khrystia runs in from the lakeshore to the village and explains
to the villagers that she was robbed by the rusalky. At that moment,
she sees Lileya with Andrij. Angry, she explains that this new "girl" is
really the dangerous rusalka who stole her clothes. The villagers
believe her and are angry with Lileya. Khrystia is not convinced that
this rusalka has good, innocent intentions. She comes from behind the
rusalka to torment her with herbs. Overcome with fear and devastation,
Lileya collapses to the floor. Andrij defends the rusalka, taking her in
his arms and kissing her. With his love, the rusalka comes to life.
The herbs are now powerless against the rusalka because
Andrij's love has transformed her. The villagers turn on Khrystia,
mocking her and laughing at her. Devastated, she leaves the village.
Andrij proposes to Lileya, and once again they dance. The villagers, rejoicing in this marriage, celebrate with a hopak.
The Choreographers
Anna Kanevets, Choreographer
Mrs. Anna Kanevets attended the Institute of Culture in Kiev, Ukraine
and graduated with the Honours Level Ballet Master’s Degree. Prior to
arriving in Canada, Anna held a professorship at the Kiev College of
Culture for eleven years, where she instructed in subjects such as
Composition of Dance, Ukrainian and Character Dance and History of
Costume. Since arriving in Canada in 1996, she held the title of
Artistic Director for numerous Ukrainian Dance Schools in Edmonton,
Alberta. Anna also has been the adjudicator for the Vaganova Dance
Society Ballet Exams and several Ukrainian Dance Competitions in
Alberta. Through Anna’s dedicated efforts, the “Legend of the Rusalka”
came to life.
Vasyl Kanevets, Choreographer
Vasyl received his Professional Dancer Diploma at the National
Ballet School of Kyiv. He also completed his Honours level Ballet
Master’s Degree in Kyiv. In 1995, Vasyl moved to Canada, where he
continued to work as a professional dance instructor and choreographer.
Vasyl is also the vice-president of the Vaganova Dance Society in
Edmonton, Alberta. Vasyl is currently the Artistic Director of the
“Tryzub” Ukrainian Dance Ensemble of Calgary, Alberta. Vasyl has worked
with Rusalka for several years, and together, with his wife, Anna,
created a 45-minute magical suite called, “The Legend of Rusalka.” |
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