Buddy

No, he wasn't me, Jeannette. Hopefully again someday. By the way, the “Reunited” group performance in Costa Mesa is Nov. 12 not 22 as I posted.

Lizi Avsajanishvili is listed to appear with the ‘Reunited’ group of artists, mostly Russian company dancers from other countries who recently left. This group is headed by Xander Parish and will appear in Costa Mesa, California, November 22. I greatly look forward to seeing her.

It ‘was’ Oct. 1&2 that Olga Smirnova appeared, Sim. Thanks. The annual event is the Fall for Dance Festival at the New York City Center. A quick opinion as to how she did from Fjord Review. "How can anyone look so beautiful in a spandex unitard? How can balletic movement seem so innately organic to a human body? https://fjordreview.com/fall-for-dance-2022-program-5/ Maybe another time, she and others like her could team up with the ‘Reunited’ company, Emeralds.

I keep missing the time limit for post editing, so once again please allow me one more. "Both Ukraine and Russia have been a huge part of the lives of the people in our group, many of whom have faced great difficulty with the escalating tension between countries, people and families. We would like to do our part in creating peace and promoting it in our own language of dance. "We as a group want nothing except for peace and healing between Russia and Ukraine and our performance now is simply born of our desire to be reunited with each other in the love of dance and to share the stage together again, something which looked impossible after we dispersed around the globe. Every dancer in our company has come a long way to be here and we hope you also will join us too." Xander Parish https://www.instagram.com/p/Cjnp4OktiDZ/ As someone whose attended the Mariinsky International Ballet Festival in Saint Petersburg 17 years in a row I totally support this sentiment.

“….the first public performance of our newly created company of dancers who left Russia & Ukraine is now on sale!!! The show will be on the 12th November….” https://www.instagram.com/p/Cjnp4OktiDZ/

I live a two hour car drive away and attend many ballet performances there, Emeralds. I also receive their announcements and at least glance at the dance part. I have to say that this one got by me completely. It seems like a very good idea. If this were to become an ongoing project as suggested, all the better. If someone like Olga Smirnova were added it would be even more. I wonder if she’s been contacted ? She’s scheduled to perform at a popular dance event in New York City, Oct. 1 & 2.

I hope to be there and will try to tell you all about it. “Led by British-born Artistic Director Xander Parish…. Costa Mesa, California November 12, 2022 “….the world premiere of a new ballet choreographed by Parish to Tchaikovsky’s Children’s Album “….a performance of Christopher Wheeldon’s After the Rain; selections from Le Corsaire, Raymond, and Paquita; and more. “Featuring dancers - Xander Parish (UK, former principal dancer at the Mariinsky) Jacopo Tissi (Italy, formerly with the Bolshoi) Svetlana Bednenko (Ukraine, formerly with the Mikhailovsky) Christine Shevchenko (Ukraine, currently with ABT) Andrea Laššáková (Slovak Republic, formerly with the Mikhailovsky) Adrian Blake Mitchell (U.S., formerly with the Mikhailovsky) Boris Zhurilov (Russia, formerly with Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Theatre) Ilya Jivoyi (Russia, formerly with the Mariinsky) Lizi Avsajanishvili (Georgia, formerly with the Mariinsky) David Motta Soares (Brazil, formerly with the Bolshoi) Jasmine Sophie Henry (Australia, formerly with the Mariinsky) Vsevolod Maevsky (Ukraine, formerly with the Mariinsky) Anastasia Demidova (Russia, formerly with the Mariinsky) Katia Raj (U.S., formerly with the Saint Petersburg State Academic Leonid Yacobson Ballet Theatre) Veronika Selivanova (U.S., formerly with the Mariinsky) Alexis Tutunnique (Ukraine, formerly with National Opera of Ukraine and currently with The United Ukrainian Ballet) Joy Womack (U.S., formerly with Astrakhan Opera and Ballet Theatre) Maxim Zenin (Russia, formerly with the Mariinsky) Laura Fernandez (Switzerland and Ukraine, formerly with Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Theatre).” https://www.scfta.org/events/2022/reunited-in-dance

I haven’t looked at them all but this seems to be a very fine collection of photos if you’re able to access them from the New York Times. The early ones have always been ones that I like very much. With sadness and condolences…. https://www.nytimes.com/es/2022/09/08/espanol/reina-isabel-fotos.html?campaign_id=190&emc=edit_ufn_20220909&instance_id=71467&nl=updates-from-the-newsroom&regi_id=156452945&segment_id=105805&te=1&user_id=f8301819ca07cba02501493f2f306919

With a perhaps more upbeat initial premise than the "In difficult times when we need a laugh (or our spirits uplifting)..." Topic could I please offer this as a companion topic.

A name to keep in mind, perhaps. Elisabeth Beyer, recently made Apprentice, American Ballet Theatre .

Xander Parish posted today a message about the passing away of his coach of ten years, Igor Yurievich Petrov. It’s a very sympathetic one. “Igor Yurievich Petrov, my coach for 10 years in the Mariinsky Ballet, sadly passed away today. I cannot begin to describe what an amazing and wonderful person he was, full of positivity and encouragement to those of us who were fortunate enough to work with him. Igor Yurievich, thank you for everything you did for me, for always being there in the wings and always.” https://www.facebook.com/xanderparish/posts/pfbid0o4iZvVVKUrzdrtkSmUuqVp42HYt28LqaXXUbU4NrHqQWZa1mv5eRn3YzTFuJt8x8l (thanks to Sophia at Dansomanie) Here's his Instagram site as well for all those who want to keep up with him and wish him the best, such as myself. https://www.instagram.com/p/Cf8v38vJ8ZK/

Thanks, Sabine0308. Sounds good. Could she make Giselle seem cheerful ? Would she want to ? I’ve seen dancers who have turned a character around completely. I’ve seen the Mariinsky’s Nadezhda Batoeva, for instance, make Odette/Odile (Swan Lake) almost joyful, and it worked. I have to add this. Delightful ! (Theses videos, I believe, are also officially posted at the Moscow Ballet Competition site)

Thanks Sabine0308 for your post. What kind of feeling do you think that Evelina Godunova imparts (aliveness, cheerfulness, sense of depth, etc.) ? I find that certain dancers can change the feel of an entire performance. Is, or do you think, that Evelina Godunova is one of them ?

I'll look forward to performances by her and Evelina Godunova. They both seem to share similar fine background qualities and 'more relaxed' mindsets.

Thank you, Jeannette, for your post. I’d like to continue this discussion back at the Lizi Avsajanishvili topic since she’s no longer involved with the Mariinsky (for the moment anyway). Please take a look if you like. https://www.balletcoforum.com/topic/25911-has-lili-asvajanishvili-left-the-mariinsky/

Lizi Avsajanishvili is now a Corps de Ballet member at the Staatsballett Berlin. “Berlin has been a “secret love” of mine for years. Since I’ve been following Evelina Godunova…the gold medalist at the last Moscow IBC (2017) before this year’s edition. Ratmansky’s spectacular La Bayadere recon was for Berlin. Lots of greatness in Berlin.” (Jeannette) https://www.balletcoforum.com/topic/25903-bolshoi-and-mariinsky-promotions/#comment-381276 Not knowing about Evelina Godunova, I’ve taken a quick glance at her on the internet. From your favourites list at this year’s Moscow International Ballet Competition I sense that you have a liking for certain high energy artists, drifting away ‘slightly’ from the ‘straight and narrow’ refinement canons of the ballet in Russia. 😊 Evelina Godunova does seem like a delightful change of pace. I believe that she’s now a Soloist with the Staatsballett Berlin. She would certainly seem like a breath of fresh air wherever she is. Since she’s a highly talented artist I would guess that she’ll have a significant influence. I look forward to her affect on the company and how this in turn would affect someone new and remarkably talented like Lizi Avsajanishvili. Here’s an interview with Evelina Godunova, that I’ve only glanced at so far, but seems rather likeable and impressive. http://www.vaganovatoday.com/interview-with-evelina-godunova/

"[Lizi Avsajanishvili] graduated in June 2020, just after the COVID shut downs. Bad luck in timing, as she had (has) such a promising career ahead of her at the Mariinsky. Maybe we’ll get to admire her art with another company." (Jeannette) LIZI AVSAJANISHVILI is listed as corps de ballet at Staatsballett Berlin. https://www.staatsballett-berlin.de/ensemble/lizi-avsajanishvili/469 also her Instagram profile https://instagram.com/lizzkaavs?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= (Thanks to Naomikage at BalletAlert!) I certainly joined you, Jeannette, in assuming that she'd shine at the Mariinsky. Does anyone know what the attraction of the Staatsballett Berlin might be ? In any case, I wish her much success.

Nastya, I just watched a video clip of her dancing the Princess Florine solo (Sleeping Beauty) which is one of the most beautiful, and she does look very lovely. She also has a certain personality that’s rather interesting and attractive. I would agree that she would seem to be a fine addition to the main company and it’s always nice to see such talent from so far away. Another dancer who’s been mentioned before is from the school in Perm. She’s Valeria Kuznetsova and she performed at the Moscow Ballet Competition. Whether she would ever be invited to the Mariinsky or would want to be, I’m not sure, but I think that she would be another very good addition.

I’ll try to keep an eye on Lada Sartakova, Nastya. Thank you. From recent video clips, Renata Shakirova, is looking better than ever. Combining the loveliness of a Maria Iliushkina, with her usual, impressive dance prowess and a very fine sense of drama with a very compelling, highly personal identity, she has the ability to be someone very special. She could have both the range and competence of a Nadezhda Batoeva with a depth and preciousness totally her own. For what it’s worth, other favorite ballerinas at the moment are the Marias — Maria Iliushkina (graceful, very likeable), Maria Khoreva (multi-talented, inventive) and Maria Bulanova (vibrancy, dance prowess).

Thanks, Jeannette. If you find out anything else could you please let us know ? I hope that she does well and is happy wherever she is.

Does anyone know what happened to the very talented, Vaganova graduate, Lizi Avsajanishvili ?

Beautiful sentiment from her, Estreiiita. Similar wishes have appeared as well from others. And congratulations to the remarkable Olesya Novikova. I notice that Xander Parish is still listed as a Principal Dancer at the Mariinsky site. Hopefully this is also a good sign for the future.