Stars of the Ballet Russia – A Bolshoi Legacy
Steeped in the finest ballet traditions comes “Pearls of the Russian Choreography” compiled by former artistic director of the Bolshoi - Yury Vetrov.
For a limited time this enchanting programme of classical ballet highlights will soar across stages across South Africa with performances in Johannesburg, Bloemfontein, Durban and Pretoria between the 2 – 10 August.
Presented by “The Stars of the Ballet Russia” Company, this breathtaking programme features Act 2 and Act 4 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 – 1994 Yury Vetrov himself served as a Director of the Bolshoi Ballet.
Maria 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. Maria 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.
The South African season opens at the Theatre of Marcellus at Emperors Palace on Sat 2nd August with a matinee at 3:00 pm and an evening show at 8:00 pm, followed by special Sunday matinee on Sunday 3rd at 3:00 pm. The company then moves to Bloemfontein’s Sand du Plessis for a performance on Tuesday 5th at 6:00 pm and to the Playhouse Opera in Durban on the 6th and 7th at 7:30 pm. The tour comes to an end with performances at The State Theatre Opera on the 9th at 3:00 pm and 7:30 pm and at 3:00 pm on the 10th August.
This feast of Russian gems – aptly named “Pearls of the Russian Choreography” 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.
This richly textured programme of fantasy and fairy stories of gypsies, swans and sorcerers will delight both old and new audiences to the ballet.
The tickets are affordably priced between R150 and R280 and can be secured through Computicket.
