The Golden Age (Shostakovich)

About the show

The ballet is a satirical take on the political and cultural change in 1920s Europe. It follows a Soviet football (soccer) team in a Western city where they come into contact with many politically incorrect antagonistic characters such as the Diva, the Fascist, the Agent Provocateur, the Negro and others. The team falls victim to match rigging, police harassment, and unjust imprisonment by the evil bourgeoisie. The team is freed from jail when the local workers overthrow their capitalist overlords. The ballet ends with a dance of solidarity between the workers and the football team. Shostakovich himself was a very keen football follower, and is said to have coined the expression "Football is the ballet of the masses". Prelude Act I, Scene 1, The Golden Age of Industry Exhibition: Procession of the Guests of Honour Act I, Scene 1, The Golden Age of Industry Exhibition: Inspection of the Display Windows Act I, Scene 1, The Golden Age of Industry Exhibition: Demonstration of Important Exhibits - Appearance of the Soviet Football Team Act I, Scene 1, The Golden Age of Industry Exhibition: Magician-Advertising Agent - Dance of the Hindu Act I, Scene 1, The Golden Age of Industry Exhibition: Boxing as an Advertising Stunt Act I, Scene 1, The Golden Age of Industry Exhibition: Scandal during the Boxing Match - Entrance of the Police Act I, Scene 2, Exhibition Hall: Dance of the Golden Youths Act I, Scene 2, Exhibition Hall: Dance of Diva: Adagio Act I, Scene 2, Exhibition Hall: Appearance of the Soviet Football Team and Diva's Variations Act I, Scene 2, Exhibition Hall: Soviet Dance Act I, Scene 2, Exhibition Hall: Diva asks the Leader of the Soviet Team to Dance with Her Act I, Scene 2, Exhibition Hall: Dance and Scene of the Diva and the Fascist Act I, Scene 2, Exhibition Hall: Dance of the Black Man and 2 Soviet Football Players Act I, Scene 2, Exhibition Hall: The Supposed Terrorist, "The Hand of Moscow" Act I, Scene 2, Exhibition Hall: General Confusion - The Embarrassment of the Fascists Act I, Scene 2, Exhibition Hall: A Rare Case of Mass Hysteria Act I, Scene 2, Exhibition Hall: Conversation between the Director of the Exhibition and the Fascist Act I, Scene 2, Exhibition Hall: Foxtrot... foxtrot... foxtrot Act II, Scene 3, A Street in the Same City: Mime of the Agents Provocateurs, Provocation and Arrest: Galop Act II, Scene 4, Workers' Stadium: Procession of the Workers to the Stadium - Dance of the Young Pioneers - Sports Games Act II, Scene 4, Workers' Stadium: Football March Act II, Scene 4, Workers' Stadium: Intermezzo, "Everybody amuses oneself in one's own way" Act II, Scene 4, Workers' Stadium: Dance of the Western Komsomol Girl and 4 Sportsmen Act II, Scene 4, Workers' Stadium: Sports Contests - Joint Sports Dance Act II, Scene 4, Workers' Stadium: Scene and Exit of the Soviet Team Act III: Entr'acte, "Tea for Two" Act III, Scene 5, Music Hall: Chechotka, "Shoe Shine of the Highest Grade" Act III, Scene 5, Music Hall: Tango Act III, Scene 5, Music Hall: Polka, "Once upon a Time in Geneva" - Polka, "Angel of Peace" Act III, Scene 5, Music Hall: The Touching Coalition of the Classes, slightly fraudulent Act III, Scene 5, Music Hall: Entrance of Diva and the Fascist - Their Dance Act III, Scene 5, Music Hall: Can-can Act III, Scene 6, Prison Building: Prelude Act III, Scene 6, Prison Building: Scene of the Freeing of the Prisoners Act III, Scene 6, Prison Building: Total Unveiling of the Conspiracy - The Bourgeoisie in Panic Act III, Scene 6, Prison Building: Final Dance of Solidarity