The Venetian Moor (film ballet)

The Venetian Moor is a Soviet film ballet, an adaptation of the performance of the same name, staged by dancer and choreographer Vakhtang Chabukiani to the music of composer Alexei Machavariani on the stage of the Tbilisi Paliashvili Opera and Ballet Theater.

Background

The ballet was based on the plot of William Shakespeare's tragedy "Othello", with a mix of classical ballet movements and modern dance, characteristic of Soviet choreodrama at that time. The performance was designed to showcase the talents of the Georgian dancers and musicians.

Production

Filmed in 1960 at the Georgia-film studio (USSR), the main role of Othello was performed by Vakhtang Chabukiani himself. The ballet film was shot on the basis of the stage play, which premiered in Tbilisi on October 25, 1960.

Cast

* Vakhtang Chabukiani as Othello, noble Moor and commander of the Venetian army
* Vera Tsignadze as Desdemona, daughter of Brabanzio and wife of Othello
* Zurab Kikaleishvili as Iago, midshipman
* E. Mitaishvili as Emilia, wife of Iago

Music

The music for the ballet was composed by Alexei Machavariani, with choreography based on a mix of classical ballet movements and modern dance.

Release

The film ballet "The Venetian Moor" was released in 1960 at the Georgia-film studio (USSR).