MUSICAL DRAMATURGY OF CONTEMPORARY UKRAINIAN CHILDREN9S BALLET : THE CASE OF YURIY SHEVCHENKO9S «THUMBELINA»

Abstract

Statement of the Problem. Despite the growing interest in children9s musical and theatrical art, the issue of musical dramaturgy in Ukrainian children9s ballet remains insufficiently explored. In particular, there is a lack of in-depth analysis
of such aspects as the system of leitmotifs, orchestration, and musical characterization. Yuriy Shevchenko9s «Thumbelina»
(2023) is a significant example of a contemporary work for children, yet it has not received adequate scholarly attention
from a musicological perspective. Studying this production makes it possible not only to reveal its artistic value but also to highlight children9s ballet as an important component of contemporary Ukrainian culture.
The purpose of this article is to conduct a comprehensive musicological analysis of Yuriy Shevchenkos children9s ballet Thumbelina (2023) in order to reveal the key features of its musical dramaturgy.
Research Methodology. The study is based on a combination of analytical, comparative, and descriptive methods commonly used in musicological research. Contextual and hermeneutic approaches are employed to interpret the philosophical and pedagogical dimensions of the work within the broader framework of contemporary Ukrainian children9s musical theatre.
Results. The article explores key aspects of musical dramaturgy in contemporary Ukrainian children's ballet based on Yurii Shevchenko9s Thumbelina (2023). For the first time, a detailed musicological analysis is carried out, highlighting timbral and intonational features of the characters, the leitmotif system, and orchestration style. The study focuses on the musical embodiment of characters, scenographic solutions, and the synthetic nature of children's ballet as a genre. It demonstrates how Shevchenko9s music integrates Andersen9s fairy-tale plot into a modern soundscape with philosophical undertones, balancing theatrical vividness, accessibility, and emotional depth.
The practical significance. The obtained results can be used in further research on Ukrainian children's ballet, as well
as in pedagogical practice, particularly in the training of specialists in the field of musical theatre and choreographic art.