Mariinsky Ballet London 2017: reflections on the season

[capybara]

I have found it difficult to post comments about individual productions and performances from the Mariinsky this year as the company has left me feeling a bit lukewarm.

There was a time when the amazing quality of the Kirov/Mariinsky’s dancing was matched by outstanding artistry from its Principals and Soloist and I was totally captivated. Not so in 2017.

Of course, there have been some outstanding performers (Kondaurova, Kim, Shklyarov, Nagahisa and the female corps were my ‘stand outs’) but, the offerings, and therefore the season as a whole, didn’t seem to catch fire –  certainly not in the way the Bolshoi lit up the stage  in 2016. It all felt a bit low key – like the pastel palette of the costumes in Act 1 of La Bayadere.

 

So why was that? Maybe..........

Too many relatively inexperienced dancers were cast in the leading roles? Some of them came on stage but did not ‘announce their presence’ sufficiently to make an impact. Some facial expressions look strained. Some characterisations were weak. Some dancers/partners appeared over-exposed by the technical demands on them. Some performances felt ‘uneven’ (e.g. two impressive acts; one weaker one). At times, there was refinement when a sense of ‘energy’ was also needed. In other words, there were probably not enough fully ‘rounded’ artistes on show this time. [There is a bit of a gap in the roster between the 30/40 something Principals and Soloists and the 20 something up-and-comings who, two theatres notwithstanding, may still lack stage experience.]

For all its unity and beauty, the corps did not look fully engaged in the proceedings; ‘vacant’ eyes do carry across the footlights. And chatting among the groups of men takes me back to a poor tour in the 90s when talking on stage was rife.

Some ‘character’ players perhaps did not inhabit their roles sufficiently. Yes, I’m pointing my finger at you Toreador and you High Brahmin. Russian companies do tend specialise in ‘hammy’ acting but at least, if they do that, they show us who they are meant to be. This commitment was missing in places for me.

The rep. did not get the audience going to create enough of an appreciative atmosphere – except briefly when spectacular technical skill was on display.

The orchestral tempi (especially in the early part of the run) served to dampen things down.

 

That said, this is clearly a company in transition as far as its ‘leading lights’ are concerned. But there is some outstanding talent coming through and it will be very interesting to follow the development of, for example, Batoeva, Shakirova, Chebykina, Nagahisa and several young men.

The last three weeks may have been some way short of ‘special’ but it is still sad to think that the Mariinsky has now gone home and will not return for another three years.

 

 

Edited August 13, 2017 by capybara
Typo

[Jan McNulty]

Not a reflection on the season but Xander Parish fans will enjoy this recording of a rehearsal livestream from Facebook:

 

 

[BMC]

I agree with this, Capybara - I think this season has lacked that sense of mounting excitement that others have had when you could go night after night and every performance seemed more brilliant than the last. But, like you, feeling flat today and missing them already!

 

I was amazed that the highlight for me was Infra - I just loved the way that all the dancers seemed to have adapted so well to the style. I was also delighted to get to see - at last - Kondaurova who more than lived up to expectations, particularly seeing her across a range of ballets as diverse as Carmen, Infra and Paquita.

 

With regards to the rep, it was good to have the chance to see ballets like Carmen and Anna Karenina but I wouldn't rush to them again. I do wish they would bring something other than Swan Lake and Don Q (just for a change) but did enjoy seeing Bayadere again, not having seen it for a while. It is just such an irresistible mix of silliness and sublime dancing.

 

I opted out of Swan Lake and Don Q for reasons of 'jadedness' but now really wish I hadn't and had got to see and know more of the dancers throughout the ranks. Also learned my lesson with Anna Karenina to do my homework - not to assume that because I read a book decades ago and it's famous, I would know what was going on on stage. I didn't!

 

All in all, not a vintage three weeks but definitely good enough to leave me (at least) wanting more.

[Beryl H]

I enjoyed this Season more than 2014 but not as much as earlier ones, thought the last week got better and more interesting and did sort of build up to a finale, luckily they kept my favourite ballet to the end, the huge block of Swan Lakes gave me a week off in the middle. Carmen was the only ballet that didn't work, just too dated, although I must have loved it when I saw it in 1969 at the ROH with Maya Plisetskaya and the Bolshoi. Really liked Infra which I thought was danced extremely well, and Paquita was a special treat.

 

The magic has gone a little bit though, at the moment the Bolshoi seems to be more exciting.

[LinMM]

I do agree that just at the moment the Bolshoi does seem that much more of an attractive prospect but I'm sure the Mariinsky will be back to rival them soon!!

I sort of hate saying this as I do love both Companies and shouldn't really be rivals as such but perhaps in some ways the Companies have grown a little more alike but certainly quite a few Vaganova trained dancers from the Mariinsky school have gravitated towards the Bolshoi as a Company. I'm not sure this has always been the case a more recent occurrence.

 

 

[MAB]

I'm a little surprised that the Kirov season is being compared unfavourably to last year's Bolshoi season, both opened with Don Q. and in a straight comparison team Kirov were the hands down winners if you remember the Bolshoi's serious miscasting on opening night..

 

Now that Alexandrova and Kaptsova have been demoted to the curious 'working under contract' category the Bolshoi has merely two female principals I would book to see.  I'd love to board a time machine back to 1974 to watch those gods and goddesses of both companies once more, but until one is invented, I'm happy to watch the present day Kirov.  Notice how they seem to be rationing their 6 o'clock extensions this season?  That is real progress and I welcome it.

[Lizbie1]

I agree with MAB - I was woefully out of the Bolshoi loop between leaving Moscow in 2005 and last year's tour (circumstances dictated a long break from serious ballet-going) and was surprised by the change in them and at how little enjoyment I took from the performances I saw: I couldn't reconcile them with the glowing reviews.

 

Previously I suppose I'd always considered myself Team Bolshoi, but now I'd rather see the Mariinsky any day of the week.  I'll still be present and correct in 2019, though as MAB says Kaptsova and Alexandrova will be sorely missed.

 

Or maybe it's me that's changed!

[LinMM]

I wasn't implying a massive difference between the quality of the dancers!! 

Certainly if I was very young and thinking of training in Russia I would still choose Vaganova school in St Petersburg. 

 

I love both Companies there are dancers with real quality in both of them.

Friends who have been to both theatres in Russia and who don't know each other say they preferred the Bolshoi experience but whether it's the grandeur of the theatre more or the real actual quality of dancing I'm not sure!!

I hope to remedy never having been to the Bolshoi in 2018 

At the moment I have a soft spot for the Mikhailovsky Theatre ....and that Company ...who may be smaller and not quite so classical but nevertheless gave off so much joy with their dancing when I saw them last year anyway.

 

I am also glad that over the top extensions are being toned down a bit ....though still saw a couple of what must have been 200degree extensions on occasions!! Okay in the right ballet I suppose. It's the extensions in second that I particularly dislike when too high for some dancers bodies to look graceful or beautiful.

 

[Shade]

Well I did not enjoy this tour as much as the 2014 one and not sure there was much to choose between the Bolshoi tour last year and the mariinsky this year. Last year I loved the Corsaire, this year I loved Paquita and Bayadere. In my opinion none have matched the Bolshoi tour of 2010 (and maybe never will for me).

There have been great established dancers on both but disappointed that Lopatkina retired before the tour. I think the Bolshoi may have the edge at the moment with the younger dancers, many of whom have joined from the Vaganova school. There Is I think lots of exciting young talent. On that point, I didn't realise that May Nagahisa is just 17 and has only just joined the mariinsky! 

The opportunity to see Shyklarov was not to be missed - the finest male dancer at the company I think.

I am disappointed that neither company will be in the uk next year! 2019 seems a long way off. 

Edited August 14, 2017 by Shade
Addition

[Estreiiita]

I would like to see any of these two companies any day any time again, but I was really grateful to the organizers of the Mariinsky theater's visit this year as the setting the last performances of " Don Q" and " Swan lake" in between "Anna Karenina" and "The Contrasts" permitted me to see all five productions in one week. Very wisely done indeed - I wasn't the only one who came from abroad to see the performances. 

   As to the actual dancing - I was charmed by everybody. Yes, there were some faults - I was, for instance, at " Don Q" with Matvienko and Askerov and both Matvienko (Kitri) and the one who danced Espada's role were unlucky and fell down or almost fell at some point, but still, what an overwhelming joy and pleasure had been in the air that evening! And I can say something similar about every one of the other performances as well - even those, ending tragically! Please give me Mariinsky or Bolshoi any time! A pity we won't see them the coming year, but I look forward to the ROH and ENB, and of course RDB performances!

[Lizbie1]

21 minutes ago, Shade said:

I think the Bolshoi may have the edge at the moment with the younger dancers, many of whom have joined from the Vaganova school.

 

We'll probably differ in this, but I don't see that as a good thing! The Bolshoi ballerinas I've most enjoyed in the last 12 years or so (Osipova, Alexandrova, Kaptsova and Shipulina come to mind) were all Moscow-trained, or at least Moscow-"finished".

 

I'm in no way disparaging the Vaganova school (who would dare?), I just believe in horses for courses: the Bolshoi style and repertoire that I knew and loved demands something different of its dancers.

[Shade]

I think there is a balance to be struck. It seems some time since the Bolshoi school produced dancers of the calibre you mention in your post Lizbie, not sure why. 

[Lizbie1]

Sim, that's a good point: I haven't paid close enough attention to Bolshoi politics to know whether the apparent reliance on recruitment from St Petersburg is a symptom or a cause. I just think it a great shame.

[Sim]

I think you mean Shade, Lizbie!!  😊

[Lizbie1]

Yes, sorry, apologies to both!

[Don Q Fan]

Well I feel this Mariinsky run is the flattest I've ever seen.  Really rather underwhelmend by it all with the exception of the DonQ matinee with the vivacious Elena Yevseyva.  I can't say the rep was that great when you consider the gems that the company can perform. I agree with the calls for the full length Paquita which I have never seen and I hear their Corsaire is well worth seeing.  I wonder if any Russian companies will be in nearby European countries next year that it would be possible to visit?  I've seen both companies in Amsterdam and the Bolshoi in Paris as well.  I do wish the Mikhailovsky would come to the UK as well I love that company but next year it's having a suitable venue that is the issue.  I guess realistically we shouldn't complain in the UK as we are very lucky to have a visiting Russian company most alternate years unlike lots of other countries.    

Edited August 15, 2017 by Don Q Fan

[toursenlair]

5 hours ago, Don Q Fan said:

Well I feel this Mariinsky run is the flattest I've ever seen.  Really rather underwhelmend by it all with the exception of the DonQ matinee with the vivacious Elena Yevseyva.  I can't say the rep was that great when you consider the gems that the company can perform. I agree with the calls for the full length Paquita which I have never seen and I hear their Corsaire is well worth seeing.  I wonder if any Russian companies will be in nearby European countries next year that it would be possible to visit?  I've seen both companies in Amsterdam and the Bolshoi in Paris as well.  I do wish the Mikhailovsky would come to the UK as well I love that company but next year it's having a suitable venue that is the issue.  I guess realistically we shouldn't complain in the UK as we are very lucky to have a visiting Russian company most alternate years unlike lots of other countries.    

 

The Mariinsky goes to Baden-Baden (SW Germany) every December and this year they are doing the full-length Paquita, R&J, Nutcracker and a gala.

https://www.festspielhaus.de/en/program/?event-from-day=01&event-until-day=31&event-from-month=12&event-from-year=2017&genre=14&artist=any&festival=0&view=gridview&submit-event-search=Select#result

[Don Q Fan]

^^ Thank you for the info. 

[toursenlair]

14 minutes ago, Don Q Fan said:

^^ Thank you for the info. 

 

Baden-Baden is quite close to Stuttgart so you could see some ballet there at the same time. They are doing Cranko's Swan Lake (quite a lovely version) Dec 18-30

[sybarite2015@]

I enjoyed the shows I saw but was saddened by missing out on seeing Lopatkina and now I've read online she has retired  

She was perfect as a dancer -- though not as ravishingly beautiful as Zakharova -- I think she was more refined and a better dancer, just. When a ballerina retires does that mean she stops performing entirely or do they still do the odd gala here and there?

Yes, Baden-Baden is a sumptuous town and I hope to see the Mariinsky there in December but I have to be honest most of the big names at the moment are in the Bolshoi...

though I prefer the Mariinsky's more refined style.

 

Anyone know of any up and coming future stars at the Vaganova academy?

 

[assoluta]

On 11/5/2017 at 03:35, sybarite2015@ said:

Anyone know of any up and coming future stars at the Vaganova academy?

 

 

Yes, there are some very promising ones. This doesn't translate however into becoming a star, or even a leading soloist at Mariinsky anymore. Not a single Vaganova graduate since the graduation class of 2003 became a principal at the Mariinsky. "Vaganova graduates are good only for the corps, the best of them can attain the higher rank of a coryphee" (which, at Mariinsky, in terms of treatment and obligations means the same as corps, just with more visibility), as was quite clearly stated by Mr Fateev in an interview that appeared in "Dancing Times". Expect the best Vaganova graduates of the class 2018 to be going next year to the Bolshoi.

[LinMM]

Some of the best ones from 2017 graduation year joined the Bolshoi just recently.

[MAB]

On ‎05‎/‎11‎/‎2017 at 11:35, sybarite2015@ said:

Yes, Baden-Baden is a sumptuous town and I hope to see the Mariinsky there in December but I have to be honest most of the big names at the moment are in the Bolshoi...

though I prefer the Mariinsky's more refined style.

 

 

In the current Bolshoi line-up of female principals there are only two I would go to see, the rest are average to mediocre,  though there are a couple I like further down the ranks.  In spite of the shortcomings of the Mariinsky, there is far more to admire there.