The Creatures of Prometheus: Beethoven's only Ballet

In 1800, Beethoven was commissioned to write a ballet using the libretto by Italian choreographer Salvatore Viganò, a leading figure at the Vienna Court Theater. The ballet is the only one that Beethoven ever wrote, it also stands as the only independent ballet score produced by a major composer of the 19th century until Tchaikovsky composed Swan Lake in 1875.

Salvatore Viganò, dancer (1769-1821).

The ballet premiered in March 1801 in Vienna, and received its US premiere in 1808.  It was also one of the first full-length Beethoven works to be performed in the United States, where it was staged at New York’s Park Theatre on June 14 1808. 

The ballet of "The Creatures of Promethus" is based on the myth of Prometheus, the Titan from Greek mythology who created humanity and gifted them with fire, defying the gods. In the ballet, Prometheus later finds mankind in a state of ignorance and decides to introduce the ideas of science and art to them, leading them through various stages of human development with the help of Apollo and the Muses. This story reflects Beethoven's support of the Enlightenment movement. In a letter Beethoven wrote in 1802, he said, “For only art and science can raise men to the level of gods.” This statement is remarkable for its concise explication of Beethoven’s Promethean ideas about the power of art to transform humanity and society.

Despite being a lesser known works of Beethoven,  This Overture is a fascinating example of  Beethoven's innovative approach to orchestration and thematic development. It bridges the gap between the Classical style of his predecessors and the more dramatic, emotive style that would characterize his later compositions.

The overture remains popular and the finale- the theme of which Beethoven was later to use in his 'Eroica' Symphony- offers a heroic conclusion.

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