rita

Sarafanov danced Giselle last June with Osmolkina.

I have seen two Mussorgsky dancers in Giselle, and I liked them both: Oksana Shestakova and Elena Kotsyubira.

Lopatkina was indeed perfect as Mekmene Banu, with her majestic expression of sorrow and lucide despair. It seems to be a perfect role for her, it is strange that she hasn't danced it more often. I think she is scheduled to dance it again around the middle of March. I was also impressed by the Visir of Kusnezov, who had also danced a very brilliant Conrad in the Corsaire the night before. Ruzimatov had a foot injury in Japan, not last week, but at the end of January, dancing Corsaire. I perfectly agree with you, Mireille, about his expressiveness. I find him absolutely unique! CHOPINIANA: NOCTURNE: Daria Sukhorukhova, Olesia Novikova, Ksenia Ostreikovskaja,Evgenij Ivanchenko 21th VALSE: Olesia Novikova. MAZURQUE: Daria Sukhorukhova, Evgenij Ivanchenko PRELUDE: Ksenia Ostreikovskaja 7th VALSE: Daria Sukhorukhova, Evgenij Ivanchenko

Or how about Lopatkina returning to dance Raymonda some day? Now THERE's her natural-born role...a 'clapping variation' as I've never seen before or since!" Lopatkina will dance the third act of Raymonda on her benefit evening in the Mariinsky Festival...

I very much hope that Lopatkina will dance, because I'll be there myself on the 26th! The end of february in the Mariinsky looks very appealing: on the 27th Ruzimatov should dance Sheherazade! And a few days before that there will be an Eifman ballet