Could someone versed in ballet reply to these questions?

Question

In this link, you can read:

http://64.233.183.104/search?q=cache:i6WWJIss0CcJ:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sleeping_Beauty_(ballet)+%22Sleeping+Beauty%22%22ballet%22%22wikipedia%22&hl=pt-PT&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=pt

"The 'Sleeping Beauty' is a ballet in a prologue and three acts, Opus 66, by Pyotr Tchaikovsky. The score was completed in 1889, and is the second of his three ballets. The original scenario was conceived by Ivan Vsevolozhsky, and is based on Charles Perrault's La Belle au bois Dormant. The choreographer of the original production was Marius Petipa. "

So, since this was choreographed by Marius Petipa, which function did Tchaikovsky's performed in it? (I mean, I don't understand what they mean when they say this is one of his three ballets, but this was choreographed by someone else)

And what does 'Opus66' mean?

Answer 1

Tchaikovsky wrote the music for the ballets. He composed the music for The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, and the Nutcracker, which are 3 of the most famous ballets today. Marius Petipa choreographed The Sleeping Beauty. As for Opus66, I have no idea what it means, sorry.

Answer 2

Tchaikovsky wrote the music for swan lake and sleeping beauty and the nutcracker and several others I love to dance ballet to his music

Answer 3

Marius Petipa choreographed 'The Sleeping Beauty', 'Swan Lake' and 'The Nutcracker'. The music for these ballets was composed by Tchaikovsky. 'Opus' means 'Work' and many composers catalogued their music in this way.  You will often see it shortened as 'Op.'. A lower Op. No. would mean it was composed earlier than a higher number. I hope this answers your question.

Answer 4

Tchaikovsky was the composer for the ballet. i am not sure wat opus66 is though

Answer 5

"Opus" is like "symphony" in that it refers to length of the piece. generally the musical themes remain the same throughout.

thaikovsky wrote three ballets, all of which were originally choreographed by marius petipa (a trick to recognizing petipa choreography is that with certain combinations of steps, he'd repeat them three times).

Answer 6

Tchaikovsky composed the music, he had nothing to do with the actual choreography.  That was all Petipa.  "Opus 66" means that this was the 66th piece that Tchaikovsky published.