The Prodigal Son

The Prodigal Son is a ballet by Sergey Prokofiev, with music composed in 1929 and first performed in 1929. Prokofiev, a prominent 20th-century Russian composer, wrote music in various genres, including ballets.

The Prodigal Son was created during Prokofiev's "foreign period" when he lived primarily in Paris. The ballet was commissioned by impresario Serge Diaghilev and premiered in Paris. The music for this ballet is described as exquisitely lyrical, reflecting an emotional relaxation and stylistic clarity that also appeared in other works from that period. While Prokofiev also composed the well-known ballet Romeo and Juliet, The Prodigal Son is noted for its lofty biblical theme and lyrical score.12