Gallery: Behind the scenes of Russian ballet in Johannesburg
The world-renowned St Petersburg Ballet Theatre are performing at Montecasino until tomorrow, having started last week.
A ballet dancer from the Russian Ballet theatre dances on pointe after a full dress rehearsal for Swan Lake. Picture: Tracy Lee Stark
Photographer Tracy Lee Stark spent some time behind the scenes with Russia’s critically acclaimed St Petersburg Ballet Theatre who are currently on tour at Montecasino in Johannesburg until Sunday. The company is presenting two full-length Tchaikovsky ballets, brining to life Tchaikovsky’s immortal scores through the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra.
The company was founded in 1994 and is renowned globally for its beautiful Vaganova trained dancers as well as for stunning, grand, full-length productions that include other classical masterpieces Giselle, Don Quixote, La Bayadère, Les Sylphides, Paquita and Sleeping Beauty.
The 60 members who make up the St Petersburg Ballet Theatre continually collect rave reviews around the world and often give more than 200 performances per year over six continents.
Swan Lake tells the classic love story based on a German fairy tale between Prince Siegfried and the Swan Princess Odette, who are divided by the villainous sorcerer Rothbart in a story in which true love conquers all. The iconic “white acts” with tutus, pointe shows and brilliant bravura is Russian classical ballet at its finest.
A ballet dancer keeps her feet warm while getting ready for a performance of Swan Lake. Picture: Tracy Lee Stark
Ballet dancers from the Russian Ballet theatre practice on the barre before a full dress rehearsal for Swan Lake. Picture: Tracy Lee Stark
A ballet dancer reads the final call sheet back stage ahead of a dress rehearsal for Swan Lake. Picture: Tracy Lee Stark
Ballerinas help each other get dressed backstage ahead of a performance. Picture: Tracy Lee Stark
Ballerinas are pictured backstage during a performance. Picture: Tracy Lee Stark
Ballet dancers from the Russian Ballet theatre embrace during acts while performing a full dress rehearsal for Swan Lake. Picture: Tracy Lee Stark
A ballet dancer cries after dancing in an act for Swan Lake. Picture: Tracy Lee Stark
Ballet dancers from the Russian Ballet theatre perform during a full dress rehearsal for Swan Lake. Picture: Tracy Lee Stark
Ballerinas get get ready to leave the stage after of a performance of Swan Lake. Picture: Tracy Lee Stark
Ballet dancers from the Russian Ballet theatre leave the stage after their performance of Swan Lake. Picture: Tracy Lee Stark
A ballerina leaves the stage after of a performance of Swan Lake. Picture: Tracy Lee Stark
