Genre of Comedy Ballet in Music of Yurii Shevchenko as an Effective Tool for Overcoming Social and Psychological Traumas of War: on the Example of Ballet “The Adventures of Pinocchio”
Authors: Sadovenko Svitlana 
Published: September 2023

The purpose of the study is to substantiate and reveal the cultural potential of the comedic ballet genre as an effective tool for overcoming the social and psychological traumas of war on the example of Yurii Shevchenko's ballet “The Adventures of Pinocchio”. The research methodology is based on the complex application of specifically scientific methods (historical, systematic-analytical, hermeneutic, and generalisation). The historical method is used to study the topic in its historical retrospective, understanding the origins, which helps to establish links between the studied ballet productions and the socio-cultural landscape of their creation and performance. The systematic-analytical method is applied to explain the art of interpretation, in particular, the content and semantic aspects of musical and stage works through the correlation of higher-order aggregates of different structural levels – composition, instrumental accompaniment, and the choreographic part of the production. The hermeneutic method is used to study the musical framework of ballets, which can have many different interpretations. The method of generalization is used to generalise common scientific principles and regularities, and helps to identify the overall trends in the development of ballet music in different periods of composer Yurii Shevchenko's work. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the consideration of the genre of comedy ballet as an effective tool for overcoming the socio-psychological trauma of war, which contributes to the restoration of the moral and psychological state of society, the improvement of morale, and the return of faith in justice. The ballet “The Adventures of Pinocchio” by Yuriy Shevchenko is presented, which is a vivid example of the composer's work in the context of the current conditions of the Ukrainian theatre. In the course of the study, the scientific justification of the comedy ballet genre is expanded and supplemented. Conclusions. The article reflects the significance of theatre music as an important component of the artistic and creative activity of theatre groups in modern conditions. The evolution of theatre music testifies to its connection with modernity, and also reveals a tendency to strengthen the role of art and culture in the education and support of positive social values. The direct connection of the creative tasks of theatre music with the present is observed. It is established that there is a consonance of manifestations in music of both traditional folklore motifs and new national and cultural characteristics, which allows it to become more emotional and understandable to the audience. It is stated that Ukrainian society, traumatised by war, is going through a difficult historical, moral, and spiritual period. There is a need for music, in particular, for theatre performances, which will play not only an aesthetic role, but will also become a means of restoring a positive attitude, help overcome war-related traumas, and have a powerful cultural and therapeutic function. It is shown that one of the vivid examples of the development of the comedy ballet genre in theatre music is the work of the famous Ukrainian composer Yurii Shevchenko and his ballet “The Adventures of Pinocchio”. This ballet is an apt example of how art can help maintain a positive attitude and hope for the future in difficult times of social disasters and become an important support for people during wartime. The story of Pinocchio and his friends, which is presented through classical dance, comedy ballet, grotesque, and pantomime, shows that good triumphs over evil in any circumstances. The ballet “The Adventures of Pinocchio” provides the audience not only with entertainment and relaxation, but also helps to maintain a positive attitude, hope for the future and is an effective tool for overcoming the socio-psychological traumas of war.
Key words: genre of comedy ballet, ballet «The Adventures of Pinocchio» («Pinocchio and the Magic Violin» until September 2022), Yuriy Shevchenko, ballet theater, choreography, musical theater, stage art, musical art, academic and non-academic music, synthesis of musical and choreographic art, art therapy function, socio-psychological traumas of war.