FionaM Posted October 18, 2023 Share Posted October 18, 2023 News of Prisca Zeisel from the Mikhailovsky Theatre Prisca Zeisel has already won the hearts of St Petersburg public: this season she has performed the roles of the fatal Gamzatti in “La Bayadère” and the courageous Medora in “Le Corsaire”. Now our public will witness her new Petersburg debuts: on 20 October, Prisca Zeisel will perform the role of Giselle in “Giselle, ou Les Wilis” and on 24 October, she will star as Odette – Odile in Nacho Duato’s “Swan Lake”. Victor Lebedev, principal dancer of the Mikhailovsky Theatre, will become her partner on 20 and 24 October. https://www.instagram.com/p/Cyisd3gKDaS/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FionaM Posted October 18, 2023 Author Share Posted October 18, 2023 A new version of ‘The Bright Stream’ premiered at the Mikhailovsky on 13 October, with choreography by Alexander Omar. https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyTmk8jRP5B/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FionaM Posted October 18, 2023 Author Share Posted October 18, 2023 STANMUS (the preferred acronym for the Stanislavsky Theatre in Moscow) has a new production of The Snow Queen premiering in November. Choreography is by their Artistic Director Max Sevagin. He is using parts of Tchaikovsky’s symphonies. Translation (by google) of https://stanmus.ru/shows/snezhnaya-koroleva/?date=24.11.23-19:00 Maxim Sevagin's ballet based on Andersen's fairy tale to the music of Tchaikovsky. The ballet "Snow Queen" is a large choreographic form, which will be presented in November by the artistic director of the MAMT ballet troupe Maxim Sevagin. The source of inspiration for the narrative line of the performance was the fairy tale of the same name by G.H. Andersen, and as a musical basis - parts of P.I.'s symphonies. Tchaikovsky. "The performance based on the fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen to the music of the great Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky will be a fabulous dance embodiment of the classic plot," the choreographer shares his idea. "To put this work was my childhood dream, and I had the idea of creating a ballet for more than a decade. Andersen's fairy tale is an incredibly fertile material: a large number of bright characters, motifs of Christian philosophy, themes of the road, development, transformation and transformation on the way to perfection. In his ballet, the choreographer remains true to the storyline of the literary source - the story of Kai and Gerda. As the musical basis of his work, Maxim Sevagin chose fragments from the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth symphonies of the composer, becoming a continuation of the traditions of the theatre and the famous choreographer Vladimir Burmeister, who staged in 1961 the original ballet "Snow Maiden" based on the fairy tale by A.N. Ostrovsky and the author's score from Tchaikovsky's musical works. "The Snow Queen" is a two-act performance in which the entire ballet troupe of the theatre takes part. The ballet is designed for adults and children from 6 years old. Read more Duration 2 HOURS 10 MINUTES (ONE INTERVAL) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FionaM Posted October 18, 2023 Author Share Posted October 18, 2023 (edited) MARIINSKY news A premiere of a new version of Cinderella at the Mariinsky last week, 15 October. Starring Maria Shirinkina and Andrei Ermakov. Direction by Gurgen Petrosyan. The opera, ballet and orchestra are on a large scale (number of participants) tour of China, led by Valery Gergiev. Wagner’s complete Ring Cycle, concerts of symphonies (European and Russian composers), Swan Lake and Don Q wonderful photo of Maria Khoreva taken by Wang Xiaojing, that she reposted from Weibo https://www.instagram.com/p/Cyhwm8DpxuW/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Oksana Skorik and Nikita Korneev https://www.instagram.com/p/CyQpMeIAMlL/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== An excerpt of the Mariinsky orchestra performing Scheherazade in the impressive Aspendos ancient theatre in Turkey https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyJl4dFt-W9/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Edited October 18, 2023 by FionaM Add link 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeannette Posted October 19, 2023 Share Posted October 19, 2023 18 hours ago, FionaM said: MARIINSKY news A premiere of a new version of Cinderella at the Mariinsky last week, 15 October. Starring Maria Shirinkina and Andrei Ermakov. Direction by Gurgen Petrosyan. ….. So It’s “Farewell” to the Ratmansky Cinderella at the Mariinsky! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annamk Posted October 19, 2023 Share Posted October 19, 2023 53 minutes ago, Jeannette said: So It’s “Farewell” to the Ratmansky Cinderella at the Mariinsky! I'm sure Ratmansky is very happy about that. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FionaM Posted October 19, 2023 Author Share Posted October 19, 2023 4 hours ago, Jeannette said: So It’s “Farewell” to the Ratmansky Cinderella at the Mariinsky! From the POV of the audiences in Russia … they won’t want to see anything by Ratmansky even if the production licences haven’t expired. He made it very clear that he denounces the Russian state and disassociates himself from his previous directorship, training and productions at Bolshoi and Mariinsky. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophoife Posted October 19, 2023 Share Posted October 19, 2023 1 minute ago, FionaM said: From the POV of the audiences in Russia … they won’t want to see anything by Ratmansky even if the production licences haven’t expired. He made it very clear that he denounces the Russian state and disassociates himself from his previous directorship, training and productions at Bolshoi and Mariinsky. The licences haven't expired, Fiona. He was very, very clear that he withdrew them, despite that withdrawal having subsequently been in practice ignored by various organisations inside Russia. A hint as to why that might be is in the title of Marina Harss' excellent new Ratmansky biography: The Boy From Kyiv. He did not "dissociate himself from his previous directorship, training and productions", he withdrew the performance licences. Which has been ignored. I do recommend people read Lyndsey Winship's interview with him published in August. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FionaM Posted October 19, 2023 Author Share Posted October 19, 2023 (edited) Thanks for the clarification @Sophoife. I suspect that his wishes were not legally enforceable 🤔 as the companies had already paid for the licences. Did Ratmansky also offer to return his fees? (I haven’t read his biography yet). It’s a moot point, as audiences don’t want to watch his ballets there. To clarify he was born in St Petersburg (Leningrad at the time), not Kyiv, though I believe he grew up as a young boy in Kyiv (Kiev, USSR as it was known then). Before going to the Moscow Academy. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I was hoping this thread could be about new dance news from Russia without the politics that we all suffer under. Sigh. Edited October 19, 2023 by FionaM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophoife Posted October 19, 2023 Share Posted October 19, 2023 Fiona, I was very careful not to insert politics. Withdrawal of performance licence is both legally enforceable and respected, anywhere except Russia it seems, as some organisations there are still producing his work, but with his name removed. To be specific, he was born to Ukrainian parents in Leningrad but grew up in Kyiv. His parents and other family still live in Kyiv. I was simply seeking to add some context to your sweeping statement that Russian audiences don't want to watch his ballets - because they are watching them, against his express wishes. Further comment would verge on the political, so will not be made Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FionaM Posted October 19, 2023 Author Share Posted October 19, 2023 (edited) @Sophoife apologies for sweeping statements. Which ones are still being performed? Genuine question … as I was under the impression that Bolshoi and Mariinsky had ceased performing all his ballets now. Edited October 19, 2023 by FionaM Add sentence Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophoife Posted October 20, 2023 Share Posted October 20, 2023 Examples: Pharaoh's Daughter at the Mariinsky in April/May 2022. Flames of Paris, Bolshoi, November 2022 through June 2023. Little Humpbacked Horse, Anna Karenina and Concerto DSCH remain in the Mariinsky repertoire, with his name removed, and claims that Tony Candeloro reconstructed PD. I'm sure with your Russian interest you can find others at other theatres. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FionaM Posted October 20, 2023 Author Share Posted October 20, 2023 I had understood that the Bolshoi performed Ratmansky’s versions of ‘Flames of Paris’ and ‘Bright Stream’ for the last time during the last season. The Lavrovsky R&J is due to premiere at the Bolshoi in April 2024 (in place of Ratmansky’s version) None of his ballets remain on the Bolshoi current repertoire list. I can’t comment on currentness of the Mariinsky list of ballets as their website seems to include many ballets that are not performed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAB Posted October 20, 2023 Share Posted October 20, 2023 7 hours ago, FionaM said: From the POV of the audiences in Russia … they won’t want to see anything by Ratmansky even if the production licences haven’t expired. He made it very clear that he denounces the Russian state and disassociates himself from his previous directorship, training and productions at Bolshoi and Mariinsky. And good for him! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabine0308 Posted October 20, 2023 Share Posted October 20, 2023 I'm just glad that classical ballets, music, or Opera etc have survived all political hassle over the years. It's the quality of the old masters which survives everything. Also, the Mariinsky and the Bolshoi have seen and survived many dictators, upheavals, cold war etc, so I'm optimistic their quality survives these dark times as well (but they should be more open to more contemporary dance, imo). I would love to attend a Mariinsky performance again as soon as possible. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FionaM Posted October 20, 2023 Author Share Posted October 20, 2023 (edited) I think there is a good amount of contemporary dance happening in Russia. Private promoters appear to be entering the dance world with their shows featuring ballet dancers from the main companies performing more contemporary pieces. For instance here are a few I’ve noticed in September/ October 2023: - Vladimir Shklyarov and Alla Sigalova (producer Moscow Show) https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cylbv-rLg9U/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== - Ivan Vasiliev, Leonid Sarafanov, Dmitry Sobolevsky, Oleg Gabyshev (Eifman principal) in ‘Kings of the Dance Return’ which includes contemporary choreo by Vladimir Varnava, Jonah Cook, and others. (Producer Vladimir Kuznetsov) https://www.instagram.com/reel/CxnMAhHIrMC/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== - Diana Vishneva’s show DUO https://www.instagram.com/reel/CxVMSNdNPna/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== - Svetlana Zakharova’s show MODANSE (producer MuzArts) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cx8TVuLIvHp/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== - Ildar Young and Elizaveta Kokoreva in Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui (Producer MuzArts) https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyOFV9moK6J/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Edited October 20, 2023 by FionaM Add missing promoter info 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabine0308 Posted October 20, 2023 Share Posted October 20, 2023 Thanks Fiona, I wasn't aware of this. However, the "old institutions" , e.g. Mariinsky, seem to focus on the classical ballet only. I hope the younger generation of audience demands also modern pieces, and I bet the dancers would love to widen their horizon 😉 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FionaM Posted October 20, 2023 Author Share Posted October 20, 2023 @Sabine0308 there’s more! I was also thinking that the newish full-length productions at the Bolshoi have contemporary influences … I’m thinking of: Master & Margarita by Edvard Clug (premiered December 2021) https://www.instagram.com/reel/CxgMN5TOWnQ/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Seagull by Yuri Possokhov (premiered July 2021) https://www.instagram.com/p/CyOQV40Lv15/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Bolshoi also have two mixed bills on stage again in November … all created in 2021/2022 … choreographers Anton Pimonov, Artemy Belyakov and Vyacheslav Samodurov (previously RB principal) for one programme. Other has choreography by Bryan Arias, Simone Valastro, Dimo Milev, Martin Chaix 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FionaM Posted December 18, 2023 Author Share Posted December 18, 2023 ANYUTA at Mariinsky The legendary dancer Vladimir Vasiliev (now 83) staged his Anyuta ballet for the Mariinsky company earlier this month. It is already in the repertoire of Bolshoi and Novosibirsk companies. (Maybe others?) The original premiere was in 1986 in Italy, at the Teatro di San Carlo di Napoli and starred Ekaterina Maximova as Anyuta. An interview with Vladimir Vasiliev http://www.vaganovatoday.com/interview-with-a-legend-vladimir-vasiliev-december-2023/ And a review of the Mariinsky premiere http://www.vaganovatoday.com/mariinsky-premiere-of-vladimir-vasilievs-anyuta-december-2023/#more-1209 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amelia Posted January 28 Share Posted January 28 (edited) Olesya Novikova, now the Mum of 4, danced Raymonda at Mariinsky on 24 January 2024: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ou--f-fnR64 Edited January 28 by Amelia typo 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angela Posted January 28 Share Posted January 28 THANK YOU, Amelia. How I miss to see the Russian dancers on stage. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angela Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 John Neumeier just offered an explanation about three performances of his “Anna Karenina” at the Bolschoi in March: “I have decided to allow the Bolshoi Theater to perform my ballet Anna Karenina - despite the fundamental distance I feel from the Russian state due to its deeply inhumane war of aggression against Ukraine. Anna Karenina conveys exactly the humane values that the current Russian regime so criminally disregards. This begins with the external form of organization as a German-Canadian-Russian co-production and does not end with the spiritual creator, a homosexual American. Last but not least, it also affects the substance of Anna Karenina: Just think of a character like the free spirit Lewin, who I let appear as a popular figure to the music of Cat Stevens. For all of these reasons, I see it as positive when performances of this work - and only this work - take place in Moscow. I will donate the royalties from the planned “Anna Karenina” performances at the Bolshoi Theater to a charitable cause. Since the war began on February 24, 2022, it has been natural for me to use my position and my diverse contacts to support Ukrainian artists. I made my ballet “Spring and Fall” available free of charge for performances and a film adaptation by the Kyiv National Ballet, I supported the rehearsal in Kiev by my ballet masters and invited the dancers to our traditional Nijinsky Gala in Hamburg. In addition to the spontaneous acceptance of young Ukrainian talents at our ballet school, the hospitality for Ukrainian professional dancers has developed into a permanent ensemble under the direction of my principal soloist Edvin Revazov: the Hamburg Chamber Ballet, in which refugee Ukrainian dancers find a new artistic home. The company is now established and will soon celebrate its one-year anniversary. In addition to artistic excellence and social commitment, for example with education projects, the Hamburg Chamber Ballet was able to make a significant contribution to Hamburg's urban society through my mediation in November, when the major cultural institutions spontaneously organized an evening of solidarity for the victims of the Gaza war under the motto “Breaking Silence”.” “Anna Karenina” was created at Hamburg in 2017, with subsequent premieres by its two co-production partners: the Bolshoi Theater Ballet and the National Ballet of Canada. On the other hand we the French choreographer Martin Chaix, who created a ballet in 2020 for the Bolshoi and posted a statement on his webseite, that the rights for his ballet have expired, but the Bolshoi continues to dance it. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FionaM Posted February 8 Author Share Posted February 8 Thanks Angela … can you provide the link to Neumeier’s statement? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angela Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 No. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FionaM Posted February 12 Author Share Posted February 12 On 08/02/2024 at 19:57, Angela said: No. It’s here https://m.faz.net/aktuell/feuilleton/buehne-und-konzert/john-neumeier-kooperiert-mit-bolschoi-ballett-propaganda-instrument-putins-19512416.html?utm_source=ground.news&utm_medium=referral Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FionaM Posted February 12 Author Share Posted February 12 For those interested in modern choreography, here’s a reel of a piece created by Vienna based choreographer Eno Peci that was performed in Dubai recently and will have its premier in Russia on the Bolshoi new stage later this month as part of the ‘Postscript’ programme. The 4 dancers are contemporary specialist Ildar Young with Bolshoi soloists Maria Vinogradova, Anastasia Denisova and Daniil Potaptsev. Ildar collaborates regularly with Bolshoi dancers. https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3PrXDgo6wg/?igsh=aHMzcWJlenIwNHFi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSR101 Posted February 12 Share Posted February 12 Given the continued refusal of tennis players etc to shake Russian hands, It is surprising to see Alena Kovaleva at a gala in Italy (Teatro Petruzzelli) partnered by Vsevolod Maievskyi (a Ukrainian who left the Mariinsky at the outbreak of the war). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FionaM Posted February 12 Author Share Posted February 12 Alonya Kovaleva also danced at a gala in Japan partnered by Xander Parish in December. perhaps artists are taking a different view on artistic collaborations. Talking of which I have just seen the great pianist Nikolai Lugansky performing Rachmaninov superbly, with the Strasbourg Philharmonic. Nikolai is on tour around Europe with this orchestra and others, and also with Vadim Repin (husband of Svetlana Zakharova). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FionaM Posted February 12 Author Share Posted February 12 (edited) I’d say it’s a great honour for Vsevelod who is a junior soloist at ENB to be partnering a Bolshoi principal such as Alena Kovaleva. Vsevelod’s story of himself leaving Russia and his family leaving Ukraine https://parkmagazineny.com/dancing-for-life-an-escaped-ukrainian-dancers-story-vsevolod-mayevskyi/ Perhaps his view is that he is outside of the conflict personally. He may be supporting his family financially too. Edited February 12 by FionaM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSR101 Posted February 13 Share Posted February 13 1 hour ago, FionaM said: I’d say it’s a great honour for Vsevelod who is a junior soloist at ENB to be partnering a Bolshoi principal such as Alena Kovaleva. Vsevelod’s story of himself leaving Russia and his family leaving Ukraine https://parkmagazineny.com/dancing-for-life-an-escaped-ukrainian-dancers-story-vsevolod-mayevskyi/ Perhaps his view is that he is outside of the conflict personally. He may be supporting his family financially too. I found it more surprising from the angle of potential criticism from his own people that he, a Ukrainian fighting age male, is doing galas partnered with a Russian employee of a state company. Seems risky PR to me. It is from an artistic pov obvious why he would do it, Alena is a wonderful dancer and I personally am sad I won't see her dance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angela Posted February 13 Share Posted February 13 8 hours ago, FionaM said: It’s here https://m.faz.net/aktuell/feuilleton/buehne-und-konzert/john-neumeier-kooperiert-mit-bolschoi-ballett-propaganda-instrument-putins-19512416.html?utm_source=ground.news&utm_medium=referral Forgive me if this is nitpicky, but the link does not provide Neumeier's statement, which I translated from the press release by Hamburg Ballet, but an article critizing Neumeier's decision with a few citations from his statement. The author thinks she is the moral authority on artists and their relations to Russia, she has an ongoing controversy with Neumeier about giving the rights to his works to Russian companies. Hamburg Ballet does not publish its press releases online, I fear you have to believe my translations without a link. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FionaM Posted February 13 Author Share Posted February 13 @Angela thank you for your perspective on this article. I don’t find it picky it all. I find your comment to be a valuable insight. So thank you again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FionaM Posted February 13 Author Share Posted February 13 @TSR101 I read that Vsevelod’s grandmother is Russian. Perhaps this family (like many others) found themselves to be torn between the two sides and therefore chose to leave Ukraine to take themselves out of the political situation, as well as away from danger. Whether they consider themselves to be Russians, Ukrainians, or both, it’s a brave thing to uproot the whole family to start a new life elsewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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