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Sergei Filin Attacked


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Filin's 2nd Eye Operation Successful

23 January 2013 | Issue 5053

The Moscow Times

Ophthalmologists on Wednesday successfully performed a second operation on Sergei Filin, the Bolshoi Theater's art director who recently suffered an acid attack, Interfax reported.

Russia's main ophthalmologist took part in the operation, an innovative procedure that involved the application of embryonic cells, the report said.

The ballet director is currently in stable condition, and doctors say the results of his treatment so far are encouraging.

Doctors say Filin will need about six months to fully recover. He received third-degree burns to his face and eyes on Jan. 18 when an unknown assailant threw acid in his face.

In an interview with Komsomolskaya Pravda on Tuesday, Filin said he blamed himself for thoughtlessness after turning down the theater's offer to provide him with guards and an escort after he repeatedly received threats. He said he should have gone to the media sooner to provide a full account of the threats.

The theater has found a temporary replacement to cover his position while he recovers.

Read more: http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/filins-2nd-eye-operation-successful/474442.html#ixzz2IpXu5XtY

The Moscow Times

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Mashinka, is Stepanenko still dancing Nikiya (or any other full-length classical role, for that matter)? Honest question; I have not kept up with her roles of late. Nadezhda Gracheva, from Stepanenko's generation or a tad younger, starred in the opening night of Burlaka's one-act Paquita Grand Pas shortly before her retirement to the coaching ranks (Nov. 2008)...so, yes, older ballerinas most certainly can perform classical roles to the end, especially one-acters or pdds. smile.png

Unless there is another Galina Stepanenko in the Bolshoi, there is a video of her dancing Myrtha to Obraztsova's Giselle in May of last year on youtube.

Obviously things can change in 7 months or so, but there are few Myrthas in their mid 40s. She looks in great shape to me.

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There have been many messages for Filin from dancers and companies. I was just looking up some info on the Ballets de Monte Carlo site, and found this message:

The Ballets de Monte-Carlo and Jean-Christophe Maillot wish to express all their support to Sergeï Filin,

after the tragic event that happened to him last Thursday night.

We really want to communicate our sincere friendship and all our encouragement for his recovery.

With all our best wishes and our loyal friendship.

http://www.balletsdemontecarlo.com/ballets-de-monte-carlo/

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She was born in 1966 so I'm not sure if Nikiya remains in her rep. She was coached by none other than Semyonova (as was Tsiskaridze) so, yes, Stepanenko was a wonderful Nikiya.

A mere 46 years old, Fonteyn was dancing Bayadere at that age why shouldn't Stepanenko?

In my book the older the ballerina the better.

Ditto

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I certainly wish Stepanenko the best (and safety!) in her new interim duties. Mashinka, I looked-up birthdays in the Encyclopaedia of Russian Ballet; Stepanenko is 3.5 years older than Gracheva. However, she joined the Bolshoi in 1990, a few months after Gracheva, because the first four years of her (Stepanenko's) career were spent at the Stanislavsky. Anna Antonicheva graduated and entered the Bolshoi's ranks a year after Stepanenko -- in 1991. All wonderful 'last muses' of Grigorovich in his 'prime time' as full AD, before the big changes of 1995.

Here's to the mature ladies of the Bolshoi!

How strangely odd and wonderful to have a LADY in charge of the Bolshoi Ballet, finally, even if it is an interim situation, arising from a horrible event.

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Galina Stepanenko's career started with Moscow Classical Ballet (1984–88).

Then she danced at Stanislavasky for 2 years (1988–90).

Since 1990 she has been with the Bolshoi.

All Principals loved to dance with her so technically strong and professional she is.

Sergei trusts her completely and continues - between operations and treatment sessions - to perform some of his duties as the Director's, for example, he instructs her in view of the forthcoming recording and transmission of La Bayadere. It sounds reassuring.

Good luck to them both.

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A random comment on sad state of arts: I've haven't had this many people interested in discussing ballet with me since Black Swan was released. Many friends/family members have forwarded links to news reports or brought it up in conversation.

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A random comment on sad state of arts: I've haven't had this many people interested in discussing ballet with me since Black Swan was released. Many friends/family members have forwarded links to news reports or brought it up in conversation.

Me too -- the number of friends who are not part of the dance community but yet have heard about this is impressive, and depressing -- all at once.

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Another Facebook attack against Filin appeared Jan. 24th according to this article

http://www.vmdaily.ru/news/sergeya-filina-snova-atakuyut1359016577.html

Summary/translation: Although the posts were dated Jan 11-12th, they appeared yesterday. This is the second time attacks have come on Facebook, the first being November, when a false page was created in Filin's name by someone attempting to make it look as if he was against the Bolshoi administration. When that page was deleted, a similar one trying to compromise his assistant was posted.

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I thought that the expressions/reactions of the dancers during the speech were particularly moving.

I found some more footage of the Bayadere rehearsal in a report from the Moscow correspondent/Phil Black of Sunriseon7 (Australia). Focus now is on moving forward. There will also need to be some work to repair damage to their reputation.

The clip includes some film of the press conference with Galina Stepanenko.

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The Russian police plan to question people using a lie detector:

http://www.thenewage.co.za/80594-1020-53-Russia_police_to_use_lie_detector_in_Bolshoi_attack_probe

Russian police said on Monday they planned to use a lie detector to question witnesses about the vicious acid attack against the artistic director of the Bolshoi ballet.

"Investigators... plan to question several witnesses in the case of the attack on Sergei Filin with a lie detector," a spokesman with the Moscow police told Russian news agencies.

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The Telegraph has an article about the above video interview;

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/9832145/Bolshois-Sergei-Filin-forgives-acid-attacker.html

Speaking to Russian television via video link from hospital, Sergei Filin said he suspected the assault was organised by people seeking to "satisfy their ambitions" or "to extinguish the pain of resentment".

"A priest came to visit me," said Mr Filin, who spoke with his eyes closed and his head and neck swathed in bandages. "I said to him, 'You know, I forgive them all, let God be their judge. Because man is weak.' I forgive all those people who were involved."

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They either picked the wrong guy or knew the plan would have to have gone perfectly to succeed: this man is as strong and determined as Grigorovich. From his interview hours after his first surgery, I have been in awe of his strength.

Tsiskaridze talks a good game and, through the petition, has shown he's willing to play dirty, but I can't help thinking he'd have collapsed under such an attack, as would most others.

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Tsiskaridze talks a good game and, through the petition, has shown he's willing to play dirty, but I can't help thinking he'd have collapsed under such an attack, as would most others.

Some years ago Tsiskaridze faced up to a devastating injury with amazing stoicism and fortitude, so no, I don't think he would have 'collapsed'.

And as for 'playing dirty', this is the world of Russian ballet we're talking about. They all play dirty.

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