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Kirov Ballet in DC in July


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Thanks, Alexandra.

THANK GOODNESS that my ticket is for the first night -- Terioshkina, Kuznetsov, Osmolkina, Fadeev cast. A golden cast.

As for the other Medoras....well, I can only smile...Somova & Gumerova. 'Nuf said. :))

As for the choice of the 4th Medora (Tkachenko or Vostrotina), Vostrotina is very much in the Somova mold (tall, ultra-slim & hyper-extended), so I'm hoping for Tkachenko. :))

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July 5 -- Tereshkina(Med.), Kuznetsov (Con.), Osmolkina (Gul.), Fadeyev (Lan.), Sarafanov (slave)

Opening night performance looks the most promising (as it should, I suppose). I haven't seen Tereshkina in the role but she never fails to amaze me. The Kuznetsov casting seems more of a hit-or-miss, but I predict a hit. He and Tereshkina tend to dance together especially well, and it's a partnership that the Mariinsky has been really pushing as of late.

July 6 -- Somova, Shishov, Novikova, Korsakov, Semionov

I've never seen Somova in anything (well, not that I recall, anyway) so no comment there. Shishov is a powerful up-and-coming dancer -- a real crowd pleaser. He was the highlight of a lackluster Don Q I saw a while back. Korsakov seems promising as Lankendem -- I've only seen him a few times, but his beautiful, light, and energetic jumps always stand out for me. I saw Novikova's debut as Gulnare and she danced it better than I expected (not that I had much upon which to base my expections...) She stumbled here and there, but hopefully she's taken care of that by now, and she outshone Irma Nioradze's Medora (for whom I cared very little).

July 7 -- Gumerova, Ivanchenko, Golub, Sarafanov, Fadeyev

I am very biased against Ms. Gumerova -- I have yet to see her dance anything even halfway decently -- so she ruins the cast for me. But maybe I'm being unfair? I saw Ivanchenko dance Conrad about two weeks ago while I was still in Russia and he was quite good in the role. Not amazing, but there was nothing about which I could complain. He outshone Igor Zelensky's slave in that particular performance so I was sad to see that he didn't get all of the applause he deserved.

July 8 -- same as July 5, except for Korsakov as slave

July 9 (mat) -- Tkachenko/Vostrotina, Ivanchenko, Novikova, Korsakov, Semionov

This seems like a strong cast. I've never seen Vostrotina in anything, but from Natalia's post it seems like Tkachenko would be the better Medora.

July 9 (eve) -- combo of July 6 and 7 casts

July 10 -- Gumerova, Kuznetsov, Osmolkina, Korsakov, Sarafanov

I won't be anywhere near DC, but if I were, I'd see opening night or July 8. Otherwise, July 9 (mat) or July 6.

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I'd missed that Ivanchenko was listed -- so he's back home now?

Thalictum, I don't think that many DCers will be going up to New York to see Part and Vishneva (that's based on nothing save people I know, so it may be way off base, of course), so I don't think the conflict will matter to us locals. It may well cut into New Yorkers coming down, though. I don't know how big a portion of our audience that is.

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I forgot to mention that it's nice to see that Dmitri Semionov will be dancing the slave, Ali, in one or two performances. This is the tall, dark-haired lad who made such a big impression in London, four or five years ago (year 2000, I think), when -- just out of the Vaganova Academy -- he was given the roles of Solor in Bayadere & a lead in Emeralds. Sadly, he sustained a horrible injury soon after that London season & is just now getting back to the stage. I saw him two months ago in St Pete and he is definitely on the mend, doing quite well.

Ivanchenko has always been around, off and on, in his home troupe. He's usually cast in non-festival, low-key events. It's amazing that he's made it onto the roster of the DC tour! It's just that he frequently takes leaves of absense to partner the Bolshoi's (?) Anastasia Volochkova and other extra-tall ballerinas in special events. He will certainly come in 'handy' in lifting Gumerova and (if she dances) Vostrotina, both of whom are very tall...not to say that he doesn't possess many fine qualities as a solo dancer. He does.

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Obraztsova Alert!

I just noticed that Evgevia Obraztsova -- the Kirov's great-new Juliet who is making such an impression at the current Moscow Int'l Competition -- is slated to dance First Odalisque in many of the DC performances. A great one, not to be missed!

Natalia

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It's interesting to re-read the Kennedy Center's October 2004 press release announcing the Kirov's "Corsaire" engagement, coming up next week.

ENGAGEMENT REPLACES DANCE THEATRE OF HARLEM IN THE 2004-2005 BALLET SERIES

The Kennedy Center Ballet Series is sponsored by Altria Group

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Michael M. Kaiser, President of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, announced today that the Kirov Ballet, the famed company from St. Petersburg, Russia, will perform their staging of the evening-length ballet Le Corsaire, July 5-10, 2005 in the Opera House. .....

Le Corsaire is part of the Center’s ten-year collaboration with the Kirov Ballet. ...........

This presentation of the Kirov Ballet is made possible by Alberto Vilar. The Kirov Ballet is sponsored by Movado and Classic Hospitality.

In light of the very public, current problems that have fallen on Mr. Vilar, I wonder if in fact the upcoming week's presentation is still being underwritten by him? If not, who? Will future Kirov-Kennedy Center presentations be in jeopardy? I realize that next summer's 'Bayadere' was announced but still... I hope that the Kennedy Center is not counting on just the Vilar contributions & pledges.

Any thoughts?

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I will be at tonight's performance--if anyone wants to meet, I'll be at the "head" sculpture (most likely with a glass of champagne) at each intermission. I can also pm a description of myself (in case they're out of champagne :P )

Editing to add: I will be leaving for the KC directly from work, so I will not be able to reply to any messages left after 4:30 pm.

Edited by Hans
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