25 replies to this topic

[Kevin Ng]

I've received from the Kirov this provisional casting for the Maryinsky International Ballet Festival, which of course is subject to further changes. Guest stars this year are from the Paris Opera Ballet and the ABT.

9 March, Cinderella - new production by Ratmansky to be premiered in Feb.

10 March, Fokine Ballets: Chopiniana, Petrushka, and Scheherazade

11 March, Nutcracker - Natalia Sologub, Andrian Fadeyev

12 March, Le Corsaire - Svetlana Zakharova, Elvira Tarasova, Nicolas le Riche.

13 March, Manon - Diana Vishneva, Vladimir Malakhov

14 March, Swan Lake - Agnes Letestu, Jose Martinez

15 March, Balanchine Ballets (Serenade, Prodigal Son, Theme and Variations)

16 March, Romeo and Juliet - Zhanna Ayupova, Manuel Legris

17 March, Neumeier Ballets (Spring and Fall, Now and Then, Sounds of Empty Pages.)

18 March, International Stars Gala

[Roma]

Kevin, thank you so much for your post.
Do you happen to know what the casting is expected to be for their Washington performances next month?

[Natalia]

Thanks, Kevin! Well, I'm lickin' my chops now.... wink.gif

[Alexandra]

I had a call from a woman who will be running a tour from America to this Festival. I've never used her services; she's been running tours to Russia for 20 years and certainly seemed very knowledgeable in our brief phone conversation.

For those who may be interested, I'm posting her company's press release. (Again, this is not an endorsement as I have not used the services myself.)

----------------------

An Imperial Russia for All the Senses:

Second Annual Mariinsky International Ballet Festival

St. Petersburg, Russia –– March 9-19, 2002


WASHINGTON, D.C., August 21, 2001 – – This spring, you can see and experience Russia and the romance of its world-class theatre, summer palaces, foods and fine wines, all from the eyes, ears and palate of an imperial czar!

Tour Designs, Inc., a Washington, D.C.-based travel company with 20 years experience in Russia and Eastern Europe, is offering unique personalized tours for groups and individuals to attend the second annual Mariinsky International Ballet Festival in St. Petersburg, Russia March 9-19.

Packages include meals and accommodations at the luxurious five-star Hotel Astoria at St. Issac’s Square in the center of St. Petersburg.
Top international ballet stars, along with travelers from throughout the world, again this year will assemble for the festival at the historic Mariinsky (formerly the Kirov) Theatre.

Dancers of the famous Kirov Ballet Company will perform a series of nine nightly programs at this magnificent theatre, culminating on the tenth evening with a spectacular International Stars Gala performance. Last year’s stars included Ethan Stiefel and Carlos Acosta, among many others.

Several of Russia’s most renowned dancers will perform classical ballets on this world-famous stage, including such favorites as Manon, Romeo and Juliet, The Nutcracker, and Cinderella.
In all the surrounding grandeur of this magnificent city of high culture, you will be lavished in royal treatment, including exquisite authentic Russian cuisine, and private receptions with the stars and maestro.

And, if the breathtaking ballet experiences are not enough, you will be treated to a fascinating behind-the-scenes look inside the Mariinsky theatre.

Plus, you can enjoy the privilege of excursions with a private vehicle and driver to top shopping areas, as well as escorted visits to the opulent palaces, art museums, and the original Fabergé workshop, just two blocks from the Hotel Astoria. The tours will use private, professional guides, fluent in English.

Packages range from U$1,299 pp twin share + air + visa for weekend stays; and from U$ 4,199 pp twin share + air + visa for the full 10-day itinerary. Special package airfares are available with Finnair through Tour Designs.

Landing and storage arrangements are available for private jets, as is full assistance with visas, and customs-regulations guidance for bringing home objects d’art.

An optional side-trip to Moscow for a performance at the Bolshoi is available.

American Marylou Foley, CTC, principal organizer and guide, says “This is an absolute wonderful opportunity to travel back in time to the Bolshevik era and experience the extravagant lifestyle of the czars, while still enjoying the very best of today’s Western amenities.”

For more detailed information, contact Tour Designs at (800) 432-8687 or visit their Web site at www.TourDesignsInc.com.

[Natalia]

Yikes - $4,199 for one week in the dead of winter? Hmmm.... I'm sure that it will be lovely tour....but..... [And I realize that you are simply passing on the info, Alexandra, and not endorsing this particular tour group.]

Anybody who wishes to stay at one of the new B&B-type places near the Mariinsky Theater -- all of which have access to theater-ticket services -- may wish to get in contact with me. The Youth Hostel is no longer the only cheap option. For $50/night you can stay at a beautiful B&B within walking distance of the Mariinsky...and that's a full breakfast included. They handle visa support too. So...

Hotel w/ bkfast at $50/night x 10 nights = $500
(half the price for you if you have roomate sharing cost of room)

Aeroflot round-trip fare = $550 (from DC to St P; less from NYC)

Ballet tix...budget about $25 for a balcony ticket obtained on the street (will cost more through any hotel agent); during regular season it is possible to obtain much-much less expensive tix (about 300 rubles for a great location, or $10) in a kiosk, but this is a festival.

Unlike the old days, there are now several fast-food/less-expensive-food options in Moscow & St Petes.

You do the math...I know, there's nothing like the convenience of having an expert tour guide do it all for you if you can afford it. No question about it. I just hate to see folks on-a-budget throw money away, that's all.

- Jeannie

[Alexandra]

Thanks for the info, Jeannie. There are always some people who want to do it themselves and some who'd rather buy a package.

[Kevin Ng]

Jeannie, thanks for your useful information on the B&B type accomodation near the Maryinsky Theatre. Last time I stayed at the Hotel Astoria/Angleterre which was 5 minutes from the Maryinsky by taxi. I understand that it's the closest hotel to the Maryinsky. I remember that I saw Rasta Thomas having tea in the hotel lobby with a friend one afternoon.

[Mashinka]

Jeannie, Two close friends of mine are going to the Maryinsky Ballet Festival on 9th March and are having problems finding suitable accommodation. Is it possible for you to let me know the details of the B&B close to the theatre that you recommended in your earlier post, i.e. name, address tel/fax no's, email address etc. to pass on to them? Many thanks - MB

[Natalia]

Mashinka -

Please e-mail me at:

jeannie@balletalert.com

The best of the places may already be booked for the festival period but I have list of four B&B/small hotels in total. [I don't even get a commission for this. wink.gif ]

[Kevin Ng]

The performance of Cinderella on 9 March opening this year's Maryinsky Festival will in fact be the second performance of Alexei Ratmansky's new production. The premiere of this Cinderella will be on 5 March, and I was informed that the first cast will be Diana Vishneva and Andrian Fadeyev.

[NO7]

Thanks Kevin, for keeping us updated. How about the cast for the performance on 9 March then? Will it be goddess Vishneva and Fadayev again?
Oh..by the way, can anyone give me a hint where Igor Zelensky is? He hasn't recently been cast in any Kirov programmes. He was originally scheduled to guest with Zakharova in Rome, but replaced by Kolb, as Marc mentioned in another thread.

[ February 20, 2002: Message edited by: NO7 ]

[Kevin Ng]

NO7, I think that Igor Zelensky is still 'off' due to injury. In early February, Danila Korsuntsev replaced Zelensky as Svetlana Zakharova's partner in Swan Lake with the New National Theatre Ballet in Tokyo.

In June, Zelensky is scheduled dance the first cast of English National Ballet's Swan Lake at the Royal Albert Hall, with Zakharova.

[ February 20, 2002: Message edited by: Kevin Ng ]

[choreo]

This sounds as if it will be a wonderful festival. I was happy to see Ms. Letestu listed in Swan Lake. I had the opportunity to share the stage with her (me corps, her the lead) smile.gif and I must say that never in my career would I allow my attention to wander onstage but I couldn't tear my eyes off of her while dancing my own bit. A lyrical performer who is certainly growing and maturing beautifully, and is a very sweet person as well.

[ February 21, 2002: Message edited by: choreo ]