For a limited time this enchanting programme of classical ballet highlights will soar across stages across South Africa.
The season opens in the Theatre of Marcellus, at Emperors Palace, on Saturday, August 2, with a matinee at 3pm and an evening show at 8pm, followed by a special Sunday matinee on Sunday, August 3, at 3pm.
Presented by The Stars of the Ballet Russia company, this breathtaking programme features Act Two and Act Four of Swan Lake in the first half of the programme.
The romantic pas de deux from the timeless Sleeping Beauty, in which princess Aurora and the prince celebrate their marriage, and the magnificent Grand Pas Classique from the ever–popular Paquita, widely considered one of the finest achievements of choreographer Marius Petipa, close the second half.
Danced to the sublime music of Tchaikovsky (Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty) and the legendary ballet composer Minkus (Paquita), the creative direction of Pearls of the Russian Choreography is in the hands of Yury Vetrov and Maria Bylova, who were both celebrated ballet stars of the Bolshoi Theatre during the tenure of renowned choreographer and Bolshoi artistic director Grigorovich.
From 1990 to 1994, Vetrov himself served as a director of the Bolshoi Ballet.
Bylova has been described as one of the most outstanding ballerinas of all times.
Her grace and elegance captivated audiences during her celebrated international career as a showcased prima ballerina of the Bolshoi Theatre.
Her performances are well archived on film and you will find many a young ballerina feasting on her extraordinary skill on YouTube clips.
The Spring Waters pas de deux is one such favourite.
Bylova is currently the ballet mistress to “Stars of the Ballet Russia” instilling her exacting standards on this carefully selected touring company.
Beautiful and talented, the featured soloists are Maria Sokolnikova and Maria Klueva, from the Russian National Ballet.
The impressive German Zhukovsckiy, a 2012 soloist of the Bolshoi Ballet Theatre and a recent member of the Kremlin Ballet, will partner them.
Mikhailov Mikhail, an award winning lead dancer also from the Kremlin Ballet will join them.
This feast of Russian gems is certain to delight ballet lovers.
All three featured ballets are major cornerstones of the traditional classical ballet repertory and perennial favourites that have been widely staged over the past 150 years by ballet companies all over the world.
