Russian ballet twirls into town

AUDIENCES will be given a window into the world of fine Russian culture when Crown of the Russian Ballet’s 175th Tchaikovsky Anniversary Celebrations grace South African stages from 25 April to 9 May.

Featuring the esteemed Crown of the Russian Ballet Company, the South African tour comes to the Playhouse Opera Theatre in Durban for performances on 28 and 29 April at 7.30pm.

The programme opens with the world première of Anatoly Emelianov’s new production of one of Tchaikovsky’s undoubted masterpieces, the one-act ballet, Manfred. The narrative for this work of deep remorse and moral anguish comes from Lord Byron’s poem of the same name.

Manfred is a romantic hero of epic and Faustian proportions. In his idealistic dilemma he is doomed to destroy the very ones he loves. Imbued with supernatural elements, the metaphysical torment of Manfred is given the choreographic distinction that international audiences have come to associate with Emelianov’s work.

The second half features two evergreen favourites – a suite from The Sleeping Beauty, featuring the original Marius Petipa choreography, and the one-act Romeo and Juliet, choreographed by Emelianov.

The tale of Princess Aurora and her tragic sixteenth birthday party holds a place in every child’s heart. Based on the Brothers Grimm version of the famous Charles Perrault fairy story, The Sleeping Beauty is quintessential, classical ballet straight out of the golden age of Russian ballet.

Tchaikovsky was only 29 years old when he composed his one-act Romeo and Juliet. Based on Shakespeare’s tragic love story, it is considered to be Tchaikovsky’s first masterpiece.

Crown of the Russian Ballet is proudly presented by impresario Edouard Miasnikov, who specialises in sharing Russian culture with South African audiences in the interest of widening cultural exchange and dialogue.

Tickets are priced from R150 to R280. Early booking through Computicket is advised.