Get ready for the stars of Russian ballet

The Russian Ballet Stars gala will feature stars from distinguished Russian ballet companies as well as a Russian guest artist with New York’s American Ballet Theatre.

Directed by leading ballet impresario Ruslan Nurtdinov, the performances will feature classical ballet highlights including Swan Lake’s Black Swan Pas de Deux, the Flames of Paris Pas de Deux, Grand Pas Classique, and the Scheherazade Pas de Deux.

“A former dancer himself, Nurtdinov brings considerable international experience and expertise to his gala productions,” said ballet promoter Dirk Badenhorst.

“His previous links with South Africa include the presentation of Joburg Ballet ballerina Kitty Phetla in Russia, in her acclaimed performance of The Dying Swan on two extensive Russian tours.”

Badenhorst said that a unique feature of the galas will be the participation of Russian opera diva Larisa Akhmetova, whose contribution will include the voice solo in a Pas de Trois from Carmina Burana.

“This is a very exciting project for me, being the first group of Russian ballet stars I’m bringing to South Africa,” said Badenhorst.

“Russia is synonymous with the very best in ballet internationally, and it will be a rare treat for our audiences to… see dancers drawn from leading… companies, brought together on the Johannesburg stage.”

Among those dancing will be Lyubov Andreeva, principal dancer of the Boris Eifman Ballet; Alla Bocharova, prima ballerina at Yakobson Theatre; Nikolay Korypaev, first soloist at Mikhailovsky Theatre; and Maria Mishina, artist of the Bolshoi Ballet.

Russian Ballet Stars will run from 4 until 6 July at Joburg Theatre, corner of Simmonds Street and Stiemens Road, Braamfontein.

Details: 0860 670 670; www.joburgtheatre.com

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